You’re a few weeks out from getting the keys to your new build, and the builder has told you it’s reaching practical completion. Before you sign off and hand over the final payment, there’s one step worth taking seriously: the practical completion inspection.
What Is a Practical Completion Inspection?
A practical completion inspection, sometimes called a handover inspection or PCI, happens when your builder says the home is substantially finished and ready to occupy. Under standard HIA and MBA contracts used across NSW, this is the point where possession of the site transfers to you. It’s your last real chance to catch issues while the builder still has an obligation to fix them before you take the keys.
What Happens During the Inspection
You’ll usually walk the property with your builder, checking every room, fixture, and finish against what was specified in your contract. It sounds straightforward, but new homes are complex, and it’s easy to miss things when you’re excited to move in. That’s where bringing in an independent set of eyes makes a real difference. Our building inspection service covers structural elements, workmanship, roofing, moisture risk, and any visible defects a builder might not point out unprompted.
What We Actually Check
For handover and staged construction inspections, we go through the property methodically, doors and windows that don’t sit right, cracked tiling, poor sealant work, plumbing and electrical finishing, roof space and subfloor where accessible, and anything that doesn’t match the contract specifications. Everything gets documented in a clear report you can hand straight to your builder as your defects list. This falls under our additional services, which cover staged construction and handover-specific inspections.
What Happens If We Find Defects
Minor defects don’t usually stop practical completion being reached, but they do need to be documented and addressed. In NSW, your builder remains responsible for rectifying issues during the defects liability period, and you retain statutory warranty rights well beyond that. If a dispute drags on, NSW Fair Trading’s building complaints service is there to help resolve it. Having an independent report in hand makes that whole process a lot smoother.
Why Bring in an Independent Inspector
Your builder wants the job signed off. That’s not a knock on them, it’s just the nature of the relationship. An independent inspector has no stake in the outcome other than giving you an honest picture of what you’re about to take ownership of. We’re not aligned with builders, agents, or developers, and every inspection is carried out personally, never handed off to a subcontractor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a handover inspection take?
Most practical completion inspections take one to two hours depending on the size of the home, longer for larger or more complex builds.
Can I still raise defects after handover?
Yes. Your defects liability period and statutory warranty rights continue after you take possession, but it’s far easier to get things fixed while the builder is still actively engaged.
Do I need this if my builder already does a walkthrough with me?
A builder-led walkthrough is useful, but it’s not independent. A second, unaffiliated set of eyes tends to catch things that get missed when you’re the one excited to move in.
If you’re approaching handover on a new build in Newcastle or the Hunter, get in touch before you sign off. Book an inspection, call us on 02 4910 4004, or email info@kingfisherinspect.com.au.
