What Is a Building Handover Inspection?

A building handover inspection, also known as a Practical Completion Inspection (PCI), is a thorough, independent assessment of your newly built home carried out before you make your final payment and accept the keys.

It is not the same as the inspections carried out by your council certifier. A certifier checks that the building meets minimum code compliance. A handover inspection goes further: it checks the quality of the workmanship, the condition of every finish, and whether the builder has delivered what the contract promised.

In Queensland, the inspection is conducted against Australian Standard AS4349.1 and the requirements of your building contract. Any defects identified at this stage are the builder’s responsibility to rectify before you take possession.

Note: Around 70% of newly built Australian homes contain defects at the time of handover. Most owners never know because they did not get an independent inspection before signing off.

Handover Inspections

“New Homes”

Gold Coast Building Inspector Handover Inspections provide you with a detailed condition of your proposed new property before final payment is made. It is highly recommended to do a Handover Inspection, as it can be difficult to get the builder back to rectify any problems at a later date. This will give you peace of mind before handing over your final installment.

It is recommended to arrange this inspection in advance before the due handover date, this will give you the opportunity to raise any issues prior to handover.
At handover or within 6 months of the completion date, the contractor is required to correct any minor defects or minor omissions at handover.

Our highly trained building inspector is obligated to report on all aspects of the building so you have a clean handover.

Note: Be aware some builders will provide you with their own handover inspection report. This report is required to be independent of the builder (this will be a conflict of interest and most likely favour the builder with less defects identified).

If you would like a little example of what we offer in our Handover inspections then this little list will give you an idea:

    • Site gradient
    • Surface drainage
    • Termite notice & weep hole clearances
    • Internal/Exterior finishers
    • Test taps, fans, aircon, windows
    • Cracks, sealants and flashings
    • Paint & plaster finishes
    • Ventilation including subfloor ventilation
    • Cabinetry finish – for scratches and alignment

To view a complete list of what one of our Hand over Building Inspections on the Gold Coast looks like then please click here.

ENQUIRY FORM CALL US NOW
  • Unit/ Apartments
  • $700
  • approximately 100sq meters
  • 1 bathroom
  • BOOK NOW
  • Houses/Duplex
  • $850
  • up to 3 bedrooms
  • 1 bathroom
  • BOOK NOW
  • Houses/Duplex
  • $1,000
  • up to 4 bedrooms
  • 2 bathrooms
  • BOOK NOW

WHAT HAPPENS ON HANDOVER DAY

You should receive the following documents:

  • Warranties for appliances installed
  • Certificates of inspections (including ‘Final Certificate’)
  • Documents issued by service provides (e.g Water, electricity, gas sewerage)
  • Termite Protection Certificate
  • Property ownership documents (solicitor)

Your Defect Repair List

All defects listed in report are to be fixed within 6 months after completion of work. Any other defects discovered after this time will need to be sent in writing to builder and other correspondences for your records.

Handover Inspection Discussion

The Most Common Defects We Find in Gold Coast New Builds

New does not mean defect-free. These are the issues we find most consistently during building handover inspections across the Gold Coast.

  • Poor Paint Finishes
  • Runs, missed patches, uneven coverage, and paint over fixtures that should have been masked. One of the most frequently missed items on a builder’s own walkthrough.
  • Waterproofing Issues in Wet Areas
  • Showers, bathrooms, and laundries with incomplete or improperly applied waterproofing membranes. These don’t show as water damage until it’s too late.
  • Drainage Falls Not Meeting Code
  • Surface drainage gradients that don’t fall away from the structure. Water pooling against the slab or footings is a long-term structural risk.
  • Cracked Render and Sealants
  • Cracks in external render, gaps in sealants around windows, and missing or poorly fitted flashing that allows water ingress over time.
  • Misaligned Cabinetry and Joinery
  • Doors and drawers that don’t close flush, scratched bench surfaces, and incorrect hardware fitment. Cosmetic but costly to rectify after handover.
  • Termite Protection Deficiencies
  • Blocked weep holes, incorrect clearances from ground level, or absent termite barrier certificates. A critical compliance check in Queensland’s climate.
  • Incomplete Insulation
  • Missing batts in the roof space, incorrectly installed bulk insulation, or gaps around penetrations. Affects both energy ratings and comfort year-round.
  • Subfloor Ventilation and Drainage
  • Poor subfloor ventilation, debris left under the slab, and cracked or leaking pipes that are invisible once floor finishes are down.
  • Non-Functioning Fixtures
  • Taps with incorrect flow, aircon units not cooling to spec, exhaust fans with no outlet, and windows without compliant child restraints fitted.
  • Missing or Incorrect Documents
  • Builder’s final certificate not issued, appliance warranties missing, or service provider documentation (water, electrical, gas) not handed over at settlement.

What’s included in the building inspection?

  • External of Building
    • Walls
    • External finishes
    • Timber or steel frames and structures
    • External cladding
    • Window flashings visible, mouldings and sills
    • Stairs
    • Balconies, verandahs, patios & decks
    • Suspended-concrete floors
    • Pergolas
  • Site
    • Car accommodation
    • Detached Laundry
    • Ablution facilities
    • Garden sheds
    • Small retaining walls (non- structural)
    • Driveways
    • Paths
    • Steps
    • Fencing
    • Surface water drainage
  • Interior of Building
    • Ceilings
    • Cornice
    • Walls
    • Floors
    • Windows/child restraints
    • Doors and frames
    • Kitchen
    • Benchtop
    • Sink/taps/braided hoses
    • Laundry
    • Floor 
    • Taps, braided hoses
    • Tubs/cabinet
    • Paint finish
    • Cistern and pan
    • Bidet
    • Bathtub
    • Shower
    • Vanity
    • Washbasin
    • Ventilation
    • Smoke Detectors
  • Roof Exterior
    • Roof
    • Skylights, vents and flues
    • Valleys
    • Guttering
    • Downpipes
    • Eaves
  • Roof Space
    • Roof framing
    • Roof covering
    • Insulation
    • Sarking
    • Party walls
  • Sub-floor space
    • Bearers or joists
    • Timber framing
    • Piers/stumps
    • Dampness and damp damage
    • Drainage
    • Ventilation
    • Cracked or leaking pipes
    • Debris

Why Choose Us?

  • Fully Independent - No Builder Ties

    We have no relationship with builders, developers, or real estate agents. Our report is prepared solely in your interest. What we find is what goes in the report — nothing is softened to protect anyone’s business relationship.

  • Qualified and Licenced Inspectors

    Every inspection is carried out by a qualified building professional, not a generalist or a subcontractor. Our inspectors hold the appropriate Queensland licences and have hands-on construction experience. They know what builders are supposed to deliver because they have worked in the industry.

  • Detailed Reports Delivered Within 24 Hours

    You get a comprehensive written report with photographs within 24 hours of the inspection. The report is clear, specific, and formatted so you can hand it directly to your builder or solicitor. No vague summaries — every defect is documented with its location and recommended action.

  • We Cover Every Part of the Property

    Our building handover inspection covers the full property: external walls and cladding, roof, sub-floor, all internal rooms, wet areas, cabinetry, mechanical services, and site drainage. Nothing is skipped because it looks finished. New does not mean defect-free.

  • Gold Coast Based - We Know Local Builders

    We have been conducting building handover inspections across the Gold Coast for years. We understand the building practices, common defect patterns, and construction standards specific to this region. That local knowledge means we know where to look and what to expect.

  • You Can Attend the Inspection

    We encourage clients to be present on the day. Your inspector will walk you through the property, explain any defects as they are found, and answer your questions on the spot. You will leave the inspection fully informed — not waiting on a report to understand what was found.

What Our Clients Say?

“Mark was extremely knowledgeable, professional and helpful with the inspection. He fit into our schedules and it was a quick turnaround, and I had a comprehensive report quickly. I would definitely recommend him.”
ratings
“Highly recommend Mark Woods, helped us in really short notice to conduct a building and pest inspection. He was available & helpful, to explain the points raised on the report.”
“Mark was great to deal with – He organised B&P with real estate and provided a thorough report the day after. The money spent was well worth it and we will be using his services again. Thanks, Mark!”
ratings
“Mark gave us top tier service and completed a thorough inspection in record time. He was easy to get hold of and chat through the his report to help understand the issue. Will definitely be using him for future purchases.”
ratings