Handover Inspection In Brisbane
Is your new build almost ready?
The handover inspection is an exciting stage of the building process as it means you are close to moving into the home. However, before you make the final payment it’s important to check the home for any outstanding issues or minor defects that require rectification.
This gives you an opportunity to make sure the quality of workmanship is up to standard and that you’re happy with the outcome.
Prior to a handover inspection
Once you reach the stage that your home is ready to move into, your builder will notify you of the handover. This is generally 3-4 weeks in advance of the home being complete and clean.
Once you receive this notice, you can book the handover inspection. We recommend that you attend the handover inspection if you can as it gives you an opportunity to ask questions and see the home for yourself.
What is a handover inspection?
A handover inspection is a visual inspection of a new build to check the quality of workmanship and see whether there are any defects that need rectification. Generally, by this stage, there should be no outstanding major defects as these should have been checked and rectified during the stage inspections.
For this reason, the handover inspection is only checking for minor defects that may have accumulated during the final stage of the build. The inspection is very thorough and will identify things like stained flooring, paint touch-ups, uneven plaster, chipped/damaged tiles and more. These defects don’t effect the structural integrity of the home but they are unseemly and not what you’d expect from a new build.
How is a handover inspection different from the mandatory inspections the builder organsies?
A handover inspection is very different from the mandatory inspections that take place during the build. The mandatory stage inspections that happen during the building process focus mainly on checking that the building is up to code in accordance with Queensland Building and Construction Commission regulations.
They also check to make sure no major defects have occurred during each stage of the building which could have massive flow-on effects on the rest of the building. Whereas handover inspections are independent inspections separate from the builder that focuses on the quality of workmanship and minor defects.
Why is a handover inspection important?
A handover inspection in Brisbane is important because it ensures that the house is in the condition you’d expect it to be in for a new build. Building a new home is a big investment. The last thing you want is to move into the home only to find unseemly building defects all over the place.
The handover inspection is the final step before making the final payment, so you want to get it right. As this saves you from having to re-hire the builders or other contractors later to fix minor defects. It also stops these minor issues from becoming bigger issues down the track.
It’s also important to wait until the rectification work has been completed before you make the final payment. Most builders do the right thing however you don’t want to experience delays in the rectification work because it is no longer a priority for the building company.
After your handover inspection in Brisbane
After the inspection, you will receive a digital copy of the handover inspection report. This report includes coloured photos of all the listed defects and lists their locations within the property. It also includes recommendations for rectification work. Such as, paint touch-ups are required in bedroom three with a photo of the defect.
Upon receiving your report, you can forward it to your builder for them to complete the list of rectification work. We can also revisit the property to check that all the rectification work has been completed if required.
What to do if you have a dispute with your builder
Unfortunately, it’s not unheard of for people to have disputes with their builders. Most often, disputes arise over the work the builder has done that you believe is defective or unsatisfactory. Should this happen, we recommend that you contact Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC). As they license and oversee builders in Queensland.
The QBCC will help you and the builder come to a solution as they will determine who was at fault and what action is required. You can find out more information on their website.
Book a handover inspection in Brisbane today!
At Dedant, our inspectors are fully licensed and highly experienced to carry out handover and practical completion inspections. Our inspectors have over 30 years of experience within the building industry.
We have been servicing Brisbane, Redland Bay, Moreton Bay, Gold Coast, the Scenic Rim, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich and Logan since 2009.
Contact us on 07 3807 0122 or via our website.
