A handover inspection or practical completion inspection is the owners opportunity to inspect their finished property just prior to the builder handing over the home. All new buildings will have minor defects and omissions that are often not noticed by the builder. If left unattended, some issues may have a long term impact on the property.
Our aim is to identify and document any defects or omissions so they can be rectified by the builder prior to the property being handed over to the owners.
Our building inspector will undertake a visual inspection of the property once the builder indicates that they have reached practical completion. The purpose of the inspection is to provide advice regarding the condition of the property at the time of inspection.
The handover report is prepared based on a visual inspection covering both the internal and external areas of the home providing a detailed list of any defects and compliance issues that are noted during the inspection.
A copy of the report is produced and left on-site for the building supervisor to follow up on, and an email copy is sent shortly after to the client, the builder and any other relevant parties. A hard copy of the report is posted to keep on record.
A follow up inspection or reinspection can take place, if requested at an additional cost, once the builder notifies us that rectification of any defects has taken place. Most building contracts allow the builder ten (10) working days to complete the rectification work.
During the reinspection, defects noted on the original report are checked off as “finished” or “still to do” and the report is emailed to all parties as confirmation of what has been rectified. Our inspector is happy to discuss the reports with you at any time.
Excel Property Consultants have a highly qualified team of inspectors with an in-depth understanding of building law, who check building compliance following the strict guidelines set by the Building Code of Australia and the relevant Australian Standards.
If you would like to book an inspection you can download our inspection agreement here EPC Service Request or go to our request a quote page.
Building Handover Inspection Checklist
Depending on the type of building being inspected the following are checked as per:
- National Construction Code (NCC)
- NCC 2019 Volume Two
- Queensland Building and Construction Commission Standards & Tolerances Guide Standards and Tolerances Guide 2016
- Victorian Building Authority Guide to Standards & Tolerances
- New South Wales Fair Trading Guide to Standards & Tolerances
- Australian Standards
What We Inspect at Practical Completion:
- Site conditions including access, driveway slope,
- Retaining walls and fences
- Installation of storm water pipe system
- Termite protection to all slab penetrations
- The location of the electrical meter box including safety switch
- All walls for straight and plumb
- Walls square
- Frame correctly placed on slab
- Plumbing and drainage penetrations
- Fascia and gutter if installed
- Tie down to steel columns, beams etc.
- Window openings
- Door openings
- Termite barrier
- Roofing installation
- Fascia and gutters
- Flashings to openings and penetrations
- Installation of damp proofing
- Weep holes to perimeter and window openings
- Brickwork for straight and plumb
- Brickwork for any cracked and broken bricks
- Mortar joints to brickwork
- Brick window sills
- Expansion joints to brickwork
- Quality of ceilings, wall linings and cornice
- Waterproof membrane to showers & wet areas
- Installation of party walls where required
- Installation of doors
- Installation of windows
- Installation of skirting, architraves etc.
- Cabinetry
- Ceiling and wall linings
- Garage doors.
- Pergolas, decks, patios, etc.
- Carports, sheds
- Safety glass
- Smoke alarms
- Safety switches
- Vermin proofing
- Toilet door open out or removable
- Step heights
- Balustrading
- Ceiling height
- Paint defects
- Cleaning of finished surfaces
- Installation of driveway and path
- Control joints to external concrete work
- Installation of mail box (including number)
- Installation of clothesline
- Kerb adaptor to stormwater lines
- Termite barrier system notice
- Retaining Walls
- Fencing (including function of gates)
- Damage and installation of fascia and gutter
- Damage and installation of roofing
- Installation of flashings
- Installation of downpipes and stormwater drainage
- Site drainage (fall to drains and location)
- Fall away from the house
- Brickwork or wall cladding (damage and finish)
- Control joints in brickwork
- Cleaning of brickwork
- Finish of render
- Window installation
- Damage to windows / scratches to frame or glass
- External door fitting and alignment (type of door)
- Weatherproofing of external door systems
- Hot water system
- External taps
- External lights
- Rain water tank and pump
- Air conditioner external unit fitting and drain
- Landscaping, turf and gardens
- Pergolas, decks, patios, etc.
- Carports, sheds
- Vermin proofing
- Step heights
- Balustrading
Internal
- Painting defects
- Builders clean
- Fitting and function of internal doors (screws missing, failure to latch, bowed, etc)
- Sealant of wall and floor junctions
- Alignment of walls
- Walls are plumb
- Damage to wall lining and ceiling
- Finish of cornice and ceiling
- Floor and wall tiles ( grout, cracked, chipped)
- Position of smoke alarms
- Function of windows (damage)
- Function of robe doors
- Robe shelves and clothes rail
- Carpet installation
- Shower screens (potential leaks)
- Bath installation and damage
- Vanity cabinet and bowl installation and function
- Taps for function and fixing
- Plumbing fixtures for function
- Lights and fans
- Fitting of phone and aerial points
- Electrical meters
- Air conditioners
- Appliances (function, fitting and damage)
- Laundry tub and cabinet
- Garage motor function
- Function and fitting of toilets
- Fitting of toilet roll holders and towel rails
- Insulation
- Manhole cover