Handover Defects Inspection Services in North Brisbane

Building a new home is an exciting milestone, but just because a home is brand new doesn't mean it's free from defects. Unfortunately, construction issues are common in newly completed homes, ranging from minor cosmetic concerns to significant defects that may lead to costly repairs if not identified before settlement.

At North Brisbane Property Inspections, we provide comprehensive Handover Defects Inspections throughout North Brisbane and Moreton Bay, helping homeowners identify defects before taking possession of their new property.

Our detailed inspections give you the opportunity to have issues rectified by the builder before final payment and handover, ensuring you move into your new home with confidence.

Call 0486 341 617 for your instant quote.

What Is a Handover Defects Inspection?

A Handover Defects Inspection (also known as a Practical Completion Inspection or PCI Inspection) is an independent assessment of a newly built home conducted before settlement or handover from the builder.

The purpose of the inspection is to identify:

Incomplete workmanship

Building defects

Cosmetic issues

Safety concerns

Compliance concerns

Maintenance items requiring builder attention

The inspection provides homeowners with a detailed report they can present to their builder for rectification before taking ownership.

Why Is a Handover Inspection Important?

Many homeowners assume that a newly built home will be defect-free.

Unfortunately, we regularly identify defects in homes that are only days away from handover.

Builders often work under tight deadlines, with multiple subcontractors completing various stages of construction.

Even reputable builders can overlook defects during the construction process.

A professional Handover Defects Inspection helps ensure:

✓ Defects are identified before settlement

✓ Builders rectify issues at their expense

✓ You avoid future repair costs

✓ You move into a home completed to an acceptable standard

✓ You gain peace of mind

What Does Our Handover Defects Inspection Include?

Our inspections involve a comprehensive assessment of the completed home.

External Inspection

We assess:

Brickwork and Cladding

Inspection for:

Cracked bricks

Poor mortar finishes

Inconsistent workmanship

Damage to external finishes

External Rendering

Assessment includes:

Cracking

Poor application

Incomplete finishes

Surface defects

Roof Exterior

Inspection of:

Roof coverings

Flashings

Ridge capping

Gutters

Downpipes

Roof penetrations

Common defects include:

Missing screws

Damaged tiles

Poor sealing

Driveways and Paths

Assessment for:

Cracking

Surface defects

Drainage issues

Poor finishing

Site Drainage

Inspection includes:

Surface water drainage

Site falls

Stormwater discharge points

Water pooling concerns

Internal Inspection

We conduct a room-by-room assessment.

Walls and Ceilings

Inspection for:

Cracking

Poor paint finishes

Uneven surfaces

Damage

Incomplete repairs

Doors and Windows

Assessment includes:

Operation

Alignment

Lock functionality

Weather seals

Finish quality

Common findings include:

Doors rubbing

Windows sticking

Hardware defects

Flooring

Inspection of:

Tiles

Timber flooring

Hybrid flooring

Carpet installation

We identify:

Cracked tiles

Hollow sounding tiles

Uneven surfaces

Installation defects

Kitchen Inspection

Assessment includes:

Cabinetry

Inspection for:

Alignment

Damage

Soft-close operation

Finish quality

Benchtops

Inspection for:

Chips

Scratches

Joint quality

Appliances

Visual assessment of installed appliances.

Plumbing Fixtures

Inspection of:

Taps

Sinks

Drainage operation

Bathroom Inspection

Bathrooms are one of the most defect-prone areas of new homes.

Inspection includes:

Waterproofing Indicators

Assessment for:

Shower falls

Water retention

Sealing defects

Tiling

Inspection for:

Hollow tiles

Cracked tiles

Uneven grout lines

Poor finishing

Fixtures and Fittings

Assessment of:

Vanities

Toilets

Shower screens

Tapware

Ventilation

Inspection of exhaust fans and moisture management.

Laundry Inspection

Assessment includes:

Cabinetry

Waterproofing indicators

Drainage

Plumbing fixtures

Surface finishes

Roof Void Inspection

Where accessible, we inspect:

Roof framing

Structural elements

Ventilation

Insulation

Water ingress

Common defects include:

Incomplete framing repairs

Missing insulation

Poor workmanship

Garage Inspection

Inspection includes:

Garage doors

Safety sensors

Floor finishes

Internal access doors

Structural concerns

External Structures

Assessment of:

Decks

Patios

Pergolas

Retaining walls

Fencing

Where applicable.

Common Defects Found During Handover Inspections

Some of the most common defects we identify include:

Paint Defects

Examples include:

Missed paint coverage

Roller marks

Poor cutting-in

Surface damage

Cracked Tiles

Often caused by:

Poor installation

Movement

Inadequate preparation

Waterproofing Concerns

Common findings include:

Incorrect shower falls

Water pooling

Sealing issues

Door and Window Issues

Including:

Poor alignment

Hardware defects

Operational difficulties

Roofing Defects

We regularly identify:

Missing roof screws

Flashing defects

Damaged roof coverings

Drainage Problems

Including:

Surface ponding

Incorrect site grading

Poor stormwater management

Cosmetic Defects

Examples include:

Scratches

Chips

Damaged fittings

Poor workmanship

Why Independent Inspections Matter

Your builder conducts internal quality checks before handover.

However, an independent inspection provides an unbiased assessment focused entirely on protecting your interests.

We work for you—not the builder.

Our goal is to identify issues before settlement so they can be addressed under the builder's responsibility.

When Should a Handover Inspection Be Booked?

The ideal time is:

After Practical Completion

Once the builder advises construction is complete.

Before Final Settlement

This allows defects to be addressed before final payment.

We recommend booking the inspection as soon as your builder schedules handover.