Owner Inspections - Building and Pest Inspections Australia

Pre-Handover & Practical Completion
Inspections

Ensure Your New Home Is Perfect Before You Collect the Keys with Our Expert Pre-Handover Inspections.

Why Is a Pre-Handover Inspection Important?

Your new home represents a significant investment, and you deserve to receive it in perfect condition. A pre-handover inspection, also known as a Practical Completion Inspection (PCI), ensures that all construction work has been completed to the required standards before you take the keys. Once you accept handover and make final payment, your negotiating power diminishes significantly.

How We Protect Your Investment:

Our experienced inspectors meticulously examine every aspect of your new home, from paint finishes to plumbing, from cabinetry to external works. We document all defects, incomplete items, and workmanship issues in a comprehensive report that you can present to your builder. This ensures you only accept your new home when it truly meets the quality standards you are paying for.

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Areas We Inspect

Our comprehensive pre-handover inspections cover all finished areas of your new home

Walls, Ceilings & Paint

Kitchen & Cabinetry

Bathrooms & Wet Areas

Floors & Tiles

Doors & Windows

External & Balcony

What We Check

Our pre-handover inspection provides a comprehensive assessment of your completed new home. We examine all visible elements to ensure workmanship meets Australian Standards and your contract specifications, giving you confidence to accept handover.

Paint finish and quality throughout
Floor coverings, tiles and carpet
Doors, windows and hardware operation
Cabinetry, benchtops and splashbacks
Plumbing fixtures and tapware
Electrical fittings and switches
External cladding and rendering
Driveway, paths and landscaping

The Team at Owner Inspections are available at all hours to take your query. Click the Request Quote button below to get in touch with our Pre-Handover Inspection Specialists today!

Request Quote See Sample Report

Get Your Free Expert Quote Today

Need a pre-handover inspection? Our qualified inspectors are ready to assess your property and provide a comprehensive, professional report.

Get Your Quote 1 300 471 805

Example Defects

Issues frequently identified during pre-handover inspections

Downpipe Issues

Door Frame Waterproofing

Door Frame Crack

Render Gap

Benefits to New Home Buyers

Identify all defects before accepting handover

Ensure builder fixes issues before final payment

Protect your statutory warranty rights

Document the condition of your new home

Avoid costly repairs after moving in

Professional unbiased assessment

Detailed photographic evidence

Same-day comprehensive reports

Do not accept your new home until it is perfect - give the Owner Inspections Team a call today! 1300 471 805

Benefits to Off-the-Plan Purchasers

Verify the finished product matches your contract

Independent assessment before settlement

Identify variations from specifications

Document defects for developer rectification

Protect your investment from day one

Expert knowledge of building standards

Licensed and insured inspectors

Reports accepted by builders and developers

Protect your off-the-plan purchase with a thorough pre-handover inspection - give the Owner Inspections Team a call today! 1300 471 805

Latest Tools and Technology

We use state-of-the-art equipment to deliver accurate and comprehensive inspections

Cloud-Based Reports

Thermal Imaging Camera

Moisture Hygrometer

Termatrac T3i Radar

Digital Inclinometer

DJI Mavic 3 Drone

Pre-Handover Inspection FAQs

Answers to common questions about our pre-handover and practical completion inspection services

A pre-handover inspection, also known as a Practical Completion Inspection (PCI), is a thorough assessment of your newly built home conducted before you take possession. It identifies defects, incomplete work, and items not meeting the contract specifications that the builder must rectify before handover.

Once you accept handover and make the final payment, it becomes significantly harder to have the builder fix defects. A pre-handover inspection documents all issues while you still have leverage, ensuring your new home meets the quality standards you paid for.

Book your inspection as soon as your builder notifies you that practical completion is approaching, typically 1-2 weeks before the scheduled handover date. This allows time for the builder to rectify any defects identified before you take possession.

Our inspection covers all visible and accessible areas including internal finishes (paint, tiles, carpets), doors and windows, cabinetry and benchtops, plumbing fixtures, electrical fittings, external areas, driveways, landscaping, and overall workmanship quality.

Construction stage inspections occur throughout the build process at critical milestones. A pre-handover inspection is the final check after all work is complete, focusing on finished quality, defects in final finishes, and ensuring everything is ready for you to move in.

All defects are documented in a detailed report with photographs. You present this report to your builder who is contractually obligated to rectify the issues before handover. Our reports provide clear evidence to support your position and protect your rights.

A typical pre-handover inspection takes 2-3 hours depending on the size of the property. Larger homes or those with many defects may take longer, with no additional charges for extended inspection time.

Our promise is a full report within 24 hours of your inspection completion, guaranteed. Reports are delivered via cloud-based online link, PDF email attachment, and SMS link for convenient access.

Yes, you are welcome and encouraged to attend. This allows you to see any issues firsthand, ask questions, and understand what needs to be rectified before you accept handover of your new home.

Yes, our inspectors are licensed building professionals with extensive experience in new home construction. Owner Inspections holds licenses in multiple Australian states including Victorian Building Authority (VBA), NSW Fair Trading, and Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC).

Builders are contractually and legally required to deliver a home free of defects. Our detailed report with photographic evidence supports your position. If disputes arise, the report can be used with your state building authority or in legal proceedings.

Yes, we inspect all types of new builds including custom homes, display homes, spec homes, and townhouses. Any newly constructed dwelling should have a pre-handover inspection before the buyer takes possession.

Owner Inspections provides pre-handover inspections across major metropolitan areas in Australia including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and surrounding regions. Contact us to confirm availability in your area.

No. Travel expenses are included in our fixed fee with no additional transportation costs. Our fixed-price quotations cover all inspection costs with no hidden charges.