Practical Completion Inspection (PCI)
New building handover report
A Practical Completion Inspection (PCI) also known as ‘Handover Inspection’ is a thorough building inspection carried out when the building has reached the completion stage (PC or Handover).
A Practical Completion Inspection covers or deals with any evidence of the following at the time of inspection;
Safety hazards
Non-compliance building work
Incomplete works
Substandard workmanship
We capture each defect and provide you with an itemized report clearly stating the defects in building terms that your builder will understand. We are in touch with you along the way so you can feel comfortable and informed throughout this process.
Items we inspect at PCI include:
layout is in accordance with the plans and built to specifications
Workmanship follows Building Code of Australia and Australian Standards
Roof Cover
Ridge cap, valleys, flashings
Gutters, down pipes, soakwells connections
Gables
Eaves
Roof leaks
External Walls
Brickwork, render, cladding
Lintels
External windows and fly screens
External taps
Outside areas
External stairs
External balconies
External balustrades
Garages, carports
Patio, verandah, pergola, alfresco
Pools, sheds
Paving, driveway, crossover, verge
Fences
Underfloor Structure
Flooring
Roof space
Internal roof cover
Frame
Insulation
Sarking
Party walls
Venting to external
Individual Room Inspections
Quality of finish
Ceiling and cornice
Walls and skirting
Windows, hardware and frames
Doors, hardware, finish
Cabinets, closets
Electrical
Tiling
Water/drainage
Exposed brick, render, plaster, paint, cladding
Floor cover
Scratches to window glass, cabinet tops, mirrors, shower screens, ceramic tiles, bath, spa bath, cisterns, pans, toilet seats, cupboard doors, sinks
Open and shut all doors and windows
Open and shut all cabinet doors and drawers
Drainage to basins and basin overflows and WCs
Make sure HWS heats, run hot and cold water to all points, check water flow
Check operation of hot plate, oven (does it turn on), rangehood (paper test on suction), air-conditioner (does it turn on, does it blow air), garage door up and down
Any specific concerns can be reviewed and checked against plans and contract
Practical Completion Inspection FAQs
Why should I pay for a practical completion inspection?
At PC (practical Completion) also known as handover, your building will invite to meet with you and walk through the finished build. This is your chance to identify defects, incomplete or non-compliant work. At this stage, the builder is usually expecting final payment which hinges on getting you to ‘sign off’ that the house is complete. By this time, it’s fair to say your likely keen to move into your new home without delay!
Although the house may seem complete, there is likely a number of incomplete or substandard workmanship that needs to be rectified. In some cases, there could also be building works that are non-compliant or incomplete causing a safety risk. The chance to identify any building defects and have the builder commit to resolving them in a timely manner is at handover. Once you’ve sign off at practical completion, it can be a real hassle trying to prove the defects are the builder’s responsibility and also arranging for them to be rectified after you have moved in.
It is therefore strongly recommended that you have a professional building inspector carry out an inspection to identifying the following;
Safety hazards
Non-compliance building work
Incomplete works
Substandard workmanship
It’s important that all defects/items are compiled in an itemized report for easy identification to be passed onto your builder.
We are here to help you through the final process, to ensure your new home is up to standards and looks great. We would love the opportunity to assist you through this stage,
If you have any questions relating to a PCI or want to book please get in touch.