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Identify Defects Before Handover
Small defects are easy to overlook when you're excited about moving into a brand-new home. A detailed inspection provides another set of eyes across the completed property.
Your new home may look finished, but before you accept handover, it is worth having an independent set of eyes inspect the completed work.
A Practical Completion Inspection (PCI) identifies visible building defects, incomplete work and finishing issues before you take possession. We provide a detailed report that you can give to your builder, allowing time for appropriate remedial work to be considered before handover.
A Practical Completion Inspection is carried out when your new home is substantially complete and approaching handover.
Rather than relying solely on the builder's own checks, an independent inspection gives you another perspective on the workmanship and finished areas of your home. It can identify issues ranging from more obvious building defects through to smaller finishing problems, such as paint overruns and other imperfections.
Book an Inspection Online ↗We inspect accessible areas of the property and document relevant findings in your report.
Small defects are easy to overlook when you're excited about moving into a brand-new home. A detailed inspection provides another set of eyes across the completed property.
The inspection report records identified defects and areas of concern, giving you clear information to discuss with your builder.
Having the inspection completed before handover gives you time to provide the findings to your builder and allow for appropriate remedial work to be considered.
A new home is a significant investment. A PCI helps you understand the observable condition of the completed property before you take possession.
Where an issue appears to require specialist assessment, the report can recommend further investigation by an appropriately qualified building or engineering professional.
We inspect accessible areas of the completed property for visible defects, incomplete work and areas requiring attention.
Depending on the property, this can include:
A visual inspection cannot identify defects that are concealed or inaccessible, and it is not a substitute for specialist engineering, electrical, plumbing or other professional assessments where these are required.
Following the inspection, we'll provide a detailed, easy-to-understand report documenting the findings. The report includes photographs and descriptions of identified defects and areas requiring attention, making it easier to understand exactly what has been found and communicate those issues to your builder. Certified Pest & Building Inspection Services specifically provides a pre-handover report that can be passed on to the builder for consideration of remedial work.
If you're unsure about something in the report, we're available to explain the findings and help you understand what has been identified.
The inspection should be arranged when the construction is substantially complete and before the final handover of your new home.
This timing matters. If defects are identified, you want the findings documented while the builder is still completing the project and there is an opportunity to raise the issues before you move in.
If your builder has already given you a proposed handover date, contact us as early as possible so we can discuss a suitable inspection time.
If your home has just been built and you're preparing to receive the keys, a Practical Completion Inspection is the more relevant service.
A PCI is specifically designed for a newly constructed home approaching handover.
A standard pre-purchase building inspection is generally used when you're considering buying an existing property and want to understand its condition before completing the purchase.
We provide independent building inspections and detailed reports across Newcastle and surrounding areas.
Detailed written inspection reports
Colour photographs
Clear explanations of identified defects
Independent inspection before handover
Same-day reporting where applicable
Thermal imaging capability where appropriate
Experienced building inspection knowledge
A straightforward online booking process
We provide PCI inspections across:
A Practical Completion Inspection is an independent inspection of a newly constructed property when it is approaching completion and handover. It is used to identify visible defects, incomplete work and finishing issues that may need attention.
Ideally, the inspection should take place when construction is substantially complete but before handover. This allows identified issues to be documented and raised with your builder while there is still time to consider remedial work.
The findings are documented in your inspection report, including photographs and descriptions of areas requiring attention. You can provide the report to your builder to discuss the identified issues and any appropriate remedial work.
No. The inspection identifies and documents observable issues, but decisions about rectification remain between you and your builder.
We inspect accessible areas that can be reasonably observed at the time of inspection. Concealed elements or areas that cannot be safely accessed cannot be fully assessed.
Before you accept handover, arrange an independent PCI inspection and have the completed property properly documented.
