Handover Inspection in Hervey Bay
A handover inspection is one of the most important inspections of a new build. Why? It ensures that your new home is up to a standard you’d expect for a new build before you move in and make final payment. Don’t get caught out, book a handover inspection.
Booking a handover inspection
Before you booking the handover inspection, there’s a few things that need to happen:
- All major works at the property need to be finished
- All services to the property must be connected (electricity, water, gas etc.)
- The house has been deemed as habitable (typically done by the builder and building certifier)
- The property has been cleaned
- You have received notice from the builder of practical completion (a.k.a handover)
Once your property has reached the stage of practical completion, you need to conduct a final inspection of the home with your builder. This is when you can engage an independent building inspector with industry knowledge to help you with the handover inspection process.
What is a handover inspection?
A handover inspection is also known as a practical completion inspection. The handover inspection is a thorough visual inspection of the property looking for any minor building defects and the quality of workmanship. By this stage, there should be no outstanding major defects as regulation checks should have already been completed to address these issues. For this reason, the handover inspection only looks for minor building defects.
Common defects found during handover inspections include incomplete caulking, downpipe not connected to stormwater, insulation incorrectly installed, unacceptable paint finishes, loose fittings and more. Minor defects like these don’t affect the structural integrity of the property but they can lead to bigger problems down the track.
Why is a handover inspection important?
In the excitement of the build being complete, people can easily overlook the importance of a handover inspection. Thinking of moving in as soon as possible, you might even consider skipping over the handover inspection or completing the inspection yourself.
However, it is absolutely vital to have an independent inspector with years of building experience and knowledge to check the property first. They know exactly what to look for and are much more likely to identify poor workmanship and defects than if you complete the inspection yourself.
It is also important not to make the final payment until the rectification work has been completed. This ensures that the builder will continue to make the work a priority. By having an independent report, the builder is much more likely to take you seriously and make repairs quickly.
What's covered in a handover inspection?
The inspection includes checking all accessible areas of the property within 30 meters of the house. This includes the interior, roof void, exterior, subfloor (if applicable), driveway, fencing, shed, garage, paths and surface drainage.
Under Australian Standards, a building inspector cannot check the household appliances, plumbing or electrical as they are not qualified to do so. Should you need these items checked, we recommend hiring a licensed electrician or plumber. We can, however, make note of whether these items are sighted within the house or if there are any visually obvious safety issues with these items.
How much does a handover inspection cost?
The cost of a handover inspection varies depending on the size of the property. At Local Inspections, our handover inspection prices start from $420 for a 2-bedroom property. We allow approximately 1 – 2 hours for the inspection, depending on the size.
What happens after the handover inspection?
After the inspection, the building inspector will collate their findings into a report. This report includes coloured photos of the defects and a list of the required rectification work. At Local Inspections, we send the report to you within 24 hours of the inspection taking place.
You can then pass this report on to your builder to complete the listed work. Should you need the property re-inspected to check the work has been completed, we can revisit the property.
What happens if I have problems with my builder?
Most builders are happy to rectify any minor defects. However, should you have any issues with the builder, it is best to contact Queensland Building and Construction Commission. They are the regulating body and oversee the construction of new buildings. They will be able to provide advice on how best to proceed and help you and the builder find a solution.
Have peace of mind with Local Inspections
At Local Inspections, our inspectors are highly trained and experienced with over 30+ years within the building industry. We guarantee a thorough inspection, fast turnaround times with reports and competitive prices.
We provide practical completion inspections in Hervey Bay, Bundaberg, Maryborough, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast. If you would like to know more or want to book, give us a call via the button below!