Fahison
Wall off the gridline
High- Cause:
- Gridlines not checked before building.
- Impact:
- Changed room sizes and finishing problems.
Stage 4: Finishing WorksBlockwork Inspection
Blockwork Inspection
From the First Course
From setting out wall locations and the first course, to mortar filling, wall ties and lintels, to the final inspection before plaster. And if you deal with the blockwork contractor directly, we sit with them before work begins and set the plan.
From 700 AED
75+Items across 3 stages
3–5Hours per inspection
3+1Inspections plus pre-planning
- Specialised Engineers
- Photo Report
- All Emirates
Wall ChecksIllustration
Hidden under plasterBase waterproofing
What Is Blockwork Inspection?
Blockwork is the walls that divide the home and enclose it from outside, built after the concrete structure. A blockwork inspection is an engineering visit in which our engineers make sure the walls are in the right place according to the drawing, and built solid and straight.
The inspection matters because blockwork mistakes get buried under the plaster: a wall off the gridline changes the room size, missing wall ties cause cracks at the columns, and a short lintel causes cracks above doors and windows.
We Detect Hollow Blocks Without Breaking Anything
External walls must be built with thermally insulated blocks, and after construction you can't tell them apart from hollow blocks by eye. With the thermal camera we see the temperature difference inside the wall and identify non-compliant walls before plaster covers them.
- No BreakingWe don't break or drill the wall to check.
- We Identify Non-Compliant WallsWe mark the non-compliant wall on site and show it in the report.
- Thermal Images in the ReportClear evidence to present to the consultant and contractor.
Book Blockwork Inspection«We had no idea that half of the external walls weren't insulated blocks. If it weren't for your inspection identifying the non-compliant walls, nobody would have known, and we'd have been stuck with the heat once we moved in.»
Salem Al Shamsi, Fahison client
Pre-Planning and the Three Inspections
Start with planning with the blockwork contractor before work begins, then the inspections at the right time. You can request each service on its own.
Before the Blockwork Contractor
Pre-Planning with the Blockwork Contractor
For: Owners who deal directly with subcontractors (owner-builders).
When: Before the Blockwork Contractor starts work.
Our engineers meet the blockwork contractor on site before work begins to align standards, explain quality requirements and agree on the correct method of execution, so you avoid common mistakes and personal improvisation from the start.
What Do We Agree on with the Contractor?
Acceptance Criteria
We explain to the contractor how their work will be accepted, before they start.
Gridlines & Openings
Reviewing wall, door and window locations against the drawing.
Block Type & Mortar
The required block for each wall, and how to mix the mortar.
Wall Ties & Lintels
Wall tie locations at the columns, and lintel bearing length.
Services
Leaving routes for electrical and plumbing instead of random chasing.
Inspection Schedule
When we return for the start of construction, during construction and the final inspection.
What Does Pre-Planning Prevent?
Personal Improvisation
Every contractor builds their own way if you haven't agreed on standards.
Demolition & Rebuilding
A wall in the wrong place gets demolished; correcting it before building is cheaper.
Disputes With the Contractor
Requirements are clear and agreed before work, not after.
Inspection 1 of 3
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Start of Construction
When: When the first 2 courses are laid, before the wall rises.
The first course sets everything that follows. An error in alignment or level here multiplies as the wall rises, and correcting it now is far easier than demolishing later.
Key Items We Inspect Out of more than 75 items across the three stages
Wall Locations
Gridlines and room dimensions checked against the drawing.
Opening Locations
Positions and widths of doors and windows.
Block Type
Block type and thickness checked against the drawing for every wall.
First Course Level
Levelness of the first course using a laser and spirit level.
Waterproofing Under the Wall
Waterproofing layer under the first course where required.
Mortar
Mix consistency and mortar thickness under the course.
Most Common Problems at This Stage
Non-compliant blocks
Medium- Cause:
- A cheaper or lighter type used than required.
- Impact:
- Weaker thermal insulation or load capacity.
Uneven first course
Medium- Cause:
- Not set with a spirit level.
- Impact:
- A leaning wall and thick mortar at the top.
Inspection 2 of 3
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During Construction
When: Once the walls are rising, before they reach the slab.
This is where workmanship shows: mortar filling, wall ties and lintels. All of them disappear inside the wall and under the plaster afterwards.
Key Items We Inspect Out of more than 75 items across the three stages
Wall Plumbness
Making sure the wall is not leaning, using a spirit level and plumb bob.
Mortar Filling
Horizontal and vertical joints between blocks fully filled.
Block Bonding
Vertical joints staggered between courses.
Wall Ties
The wall tied to the columns at regular intervals.
Lintels
A lintel above every opening, with enough bearing length on both sides.
Straightness
The wall straight in plan without bulging.
Most Common Problems at This Stage
Voids in vertical joints
Medium- Cause:
- Joints between blocks not filled.
- Impact:
- A weaker wall and heat and sound leakage.
Missing wall ties
High- Cause:
- Forgotten or skipped to save materials.
- Impact:
- Cracks where the wall meets the columns.
Short or missing lintel
High- Cause:
- Insufficient bearing on both sides of the opening.
- Impact:
- Diagonal cracks above doors and windows.
Inspection 3 of 3
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Final Inspection Before Plaster
When: After blockwork and services are complete, before plastering begins.
The last chance to see the wall before plaster covers it. Any wrongly sized opening or random chasing for services is easy to fix now.
Key Items We Inspect Out of more than 75 items across the three stages
Opening Dimensions
Width, height and levels of door and window openings.
Wall Plumbness & Flatness
Final check of the walls with a straightedge and spirit level.
Top of the Wall
Filling the gap between the wall and the beam or slab.
Service Routes
Chasing for pipes and boxes, its depth and how it is repaired.
Cleanliness
Excess mortar removed from walls and floor.
Cracks
Any cracks in the blockwork or at the columns before covering.
Most Common Problems at This Stage
Wrongly sized openings
Medium- Cause:
- Door and aluminium sizes not checked.
- Impact:
- Installation problems and later breaking out.
Random chasing for services
High- Cause:
- No routes left during construction.
- Impact:
- A weakened wall and cracks above pipes.
Gap at the top of the wall
Medium- Cause:
- The gap under the beam left unfilled.
- Impact:
- A horizontal crack that appears after painting.
Equipment We Use
From the Fahison equipment featured on our home page.
Thermal CameraSpirit LevelLaser LevelLaser MeterAngle RulerPlumb BobCrack Width Gauge
Tips Before the Inspection
To help you get more out of the visit.
Do
- Request the start-of-construction inspection before the wall rises.
- Book all three inspections if you want full coverage of the stage.
- Have the architectural drawings ready if available.
Avoid
- Starting plaster before the final blockwork inspection.
- Allowing walls to be chased for services without clear routes.
- Changing the block type without referring to the drawing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Blockwork Inspection.
Is every crack in blockwork dangerous?
No. Some cracks are superficial in the mortar, but diagonal cracks above openings or at columns need assessment by our engineers to find the cause before plastering.
What is pre-planning?
An on-site session with the blockwork contractor before they start, where we agree on quality standards, the method of execution and the inspection schedule. Ideal for owners dealing with subcontractors directly, from AED 500.
Do I have to request all three inspections?
No, you can request any of them on its own. But all three together cover the whole stage, because first-course mistakes, for example, are hard to spot once the wall has risen.
When should I request the blockwork inspection?
The best time for the first inspection is when the first 2 courses are laid, and the final inspection after blockwork and services are complete and before plaster.
Do you inspect both external and internal walls?
Yes, our engineers go over the home's walls according to the agreed inspection scope.
How much does a blockwork inspection cost?
From AED 700.
Inspections in the Same Stage
Finishing Works.
Has Your Blockwork Started?
Book the inspection before the wall rises, and we'll arrange the visit with you.