Pre-Handover & Practical Completion
Inspections

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.

It is common to find between 30 and 150 defects in a new home, depending on the size of the property and the quality of the builder. Defects range from minor cosmetic issues to more serious construction problems. A professional inspection ensures nothing is missed before you accept handover.

Practical completion is the stage when your builder considers the construction substantially complete and ready for handover. At this point, the home should be liveable and all major works finished. Your building contract will define the specific criteria for practical completion.

Your rights regarding withholding payment depend on your building contract terms and state legislation. In most cases, you can request that defects be rectified before making the final payment. Our inspection report provides documented evidence to support your position in discussions with your builder.

Statutory warranty periods vary by state but generally cover structural defects for six to seven years and non-structural defects for two years from the date of practical completion. Having defects documented before handover strengthens your warranty claims if issues persist.

Yes. Even with stage inspections throughout construction, a pre-handover inspection is essential. It checks all final finishes including paint, tiles, carpet, cabinetry, and fittings that were not present during earlier stages. It is your last opportunity to have defects addressed before final payment.

A pre-handover inspection is conducted before you take possession of a new home, focusing on construction defects and incomplete work. A maintenance inspection is conducted on an established property to assess its current condition and identify repairs needed to maintain the building over time.