Practical Completion Inspection
Building your own home is one of the most exciting times of your life. You’ve spent months (maybe years) planning and working with a builder and now you’re almost ready to move in! There’s just one last thing you need – a Practical Completion Inspection.
Practical Completion Inspection
A practical completion inspection (PCI) is the final step in the building process. It ensures that your new home is up to standard before you make the final payment and move in. The inspection checks your home for minor defects and quality of workmanship. This includes things like unevenness in plaster finishes, dodgy paintwork, gaps underneath doors, loose fittings and more.
By this stage, there should be no outstanding major defects as these should have been addressed during the stage inspections. A practical completion inspection is also known as a handover inspection.
At Local Inspections, our experienced inspectors will collate their findings and list any defects in an easy-to-read report. This report also includes coloured photos and the location of each defect and recommendations for rectification. From there, you can pass this report onto your builder or sub-contractor to rectify the defects.
The importance of a practical completion inspection
Building a new home is a significant investment. You want to make sure that the quality of workmanship is up to a standard you’d expect for a new build. You don’t want to move into a new home only to find defects all over the place.
Although most issues found during a practical completion inspection are only minor defects, they can be unsightly and difficult to repair later. It’s important to have these issues rectified before you move in or make the final payment.
What's included in a practical completion inspection?
A practical completion inspection includes a thorough check of all accessible areas of the home. This can include the roof, roof void, garage, subfloor (if applicable), fences and retaining walls.
Common defects found during a practical completion inspection include stained flooring, uneven plaster, flaky paintwork, loose door handles, damaged render, ceiling and manhole damage.
Under Australian Standards, a building inspector cannot check the following items as it is outside the scope of their qualifications:
- Plumbing
- Electrical wiring
- Solar panels
- Security systems
The report includes a note of what appliances and accessories were sighted in the house at the time of the inspection. Such as an oven, air conditioner, solar panels, etc. However, it does not include a thorough check and testing of these items to make sure they work. We suggest hiring the relevant licensed tradesperson should you like to have these items checked.
When can I book the inspection?
Once you’ve been notified by the builder of handover (typically within 3-4 weeks of the build being complete), you can organise the practical completion inspection.
At Local Inspections, we can normally accommodate bookings within 7-14 days. If you require a booking at short notice, give us a call and we will do our best to fit it in.
How much does a practical completion inspection cost?
The cost of a practical completion inspection varies depending on the size of the property. At Local Inspections, our prices start from $420 for a 2-bedroom property. For a quick quote, contact us today by calling us on 07 4155 5046.
What happens if I have problems with my builder?
Most defects found in a practical completion/handover inspection are the responsibility of the builder to rectify. In most cases, the builder will be happy enough to rectify any minor defects that are within the scope of the build. However, it’s not unheard of for issues to arise that cannot be resolved between the client and the builder.
In this scenario, your next step would be to contact the Queensland Building and Construction Commission. The QBBC is responsible for overseeing new builds, regulating PCIs and providing advice about rectification work. They will help find a solution between you and the builder. As they can determine who is at fault if the work is defective and what action is required.
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!