Handover Inspection
Independent verification that PCI defects have been addressed before you accept the property, documented close-out of all outstanding items.
- Same-day report (subject to access and availability)
- Upfront pricing
- 12 months free advice
What's in your handover inspection
Included
- Verification of all defects identified in the Practical Completion Inspection
- Verification of all outstanding or unfinished work
- Assessment of suitability for occupancy
- Any new defects identified since the PCI
- Compliance assessment to AS 4349.0-2007
- Same-day written report with photo evidence
Not included
- Full fresh PCI scope (this inspection verifies the PCI list, not a new full inspection)
- Structural assessment
- Timber pest inspection
Our inspectors document every accessible element on site with photo evidence and severity ratings.
Real defects our inspectors have flagged
Why you might need this
- Builder has completed PCI defect rectification and is requesting final payment
- Remotely located investor or property manager ensuring the property is genuinely ready
- You attended the PCI but want documented confirmation that all items have been fixed
- Multiple trades were involved in rectification and you want independent verification
- Your building contract conditions require documented defect close-out before final payment
Stage pricing is confirmed at booking. The fee depends on the build stage, site access, and inspection scope. Use the guide price in the header as a starting point, then book online to confirm your quote.
The build sequence
Where this inspection sits in the build
Every stage inspection has a right moment. Here is the full sequence, with this inspection highlighted and when to book each of the others.
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- When to book
- Book as soon as your builder confirms the pour date. We inspect one to two days before the trucks arrive.
- Why it matters
- Once concrete is poured, the formwork, footings and reinforcement can never be checked again.
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- When to book
- Book once the pour date is locked in. One visit covers the pre-pour check and the pour itself.
- Why it matters
- The one chance to check the slab while it is being placed, not after it has set.
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- When to book
- Book for two or more days after the pour, before your builder starts framing or brickwork.
- Why it matters
- Once the walls go up, nobody can check the slab set-out or catch early cracking.
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- When to book
- Book the moment stumps or posts are in. If there are footings, they need to be poured first.
- Why it matters
- Framing is built straight over them. Alignment and fixing faults disappear from view.
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- When to book
- Book when the brick walls top out, before the roof trusses arrive on site.
- Why it matters
- Wall plumbness, plate level and tie-downs are out of reach once the roof frame goes on.
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- When to book
- Book the day framing finishes, before any roof cover, cladding or plasterboard goes on.
- Why it matters
- Bracing, tie-downs and lintel sizing can only be checked now.
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- When to book
- Book once the roof frame is up, before the roof cover goes on.
- Why it matters
- Truss fixing and roof bracing get sealed under the roof cover for the life of the house.
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- When to book
- Book once the building is sealed and lockable: roof on, external doors and windows in, before internal fit-out begins.
- Why it matters
- Your last look at flashings, brick ties and waterproofing before the linings hide them.
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- When to book
- Book as soon as your builder gives you the PCI date and time.
- Why it matters
- Defects documented at PCI are contract corrections. Miss them and they turn into warranty disputes.
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Stage 10 of 11 This inspection
Handover
Once repairs are completed
- When to book
- Book once the builder confirms the PCI defect repairs are finished.
- Why it matters
- Independent confirmation that every PCI item was actually fixed before you accept the keys.
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- When to book
- Book in good time before your warranty period closes. Your builder or contract sets the exact window.
- Why it matters
- The last window to put settling and movement defects back on the builder before the warranty closes.
The process
- 1
Provide the PCI report
Share your Practical Completion Inspection report with the inspector at booking so they can verify each listed item.
- 2
Inspector verifies all PCI items
Your SURE inspector works through each defect from the PCI report to confirm rectification. Any new defects found since the PCI are also documented.
- 3
Same-day report delivered
A handover report confirming which items have been rectified, which remain outstanding, and any new findings is delivered the same day.
- 4
Proceed to handover with confidence
Use the report to support final settlement, or raise outstanding items with your builder before signing off. Your inspector is available for follow-up during the 12-month free advice period.
See exactly what you get before you book
Our handover inspection report includes annotated photos, severity ratings, AS 4349 references and actionable remediation advice. Written in plain language so you can act on it the day you receive it.
- Photo evidence per finding
- Severity rated: critical, moderate, cosmetic
- Australian Standards cross-referenced
- Remediation guidance you can quote
Common defects we find on handover inspections
Patterns indexed across the Perth and Sydney corpus. These are the types of findings you might see in your own report.
External wall settlement cracking
Stepped or diagonal cracking patterns in brickwork or render discovered at handover before move-in.
Excessive moisture readings
Elevated moisture in wall linings and wet areas, often from defective waterproofing or inadequate drainage during construction.
Failed waterproofing membrane
Shower and bathroom membrane failures that become costly to remediate once tiles and fixtures are complete.
About a handover inspection
The Handover Inspection verifies that all defects identified during the Practical Completion Inspection have been rectified before the final payment is made, in accordance with AS 4349.0-2007.
The inspector works through the PCI defect list item by item, documenting which items have been rectified, which remain outstanding, and any new defects that have appeared since the PCI. It is useful for investors or property managers located elsewhere who need documented confirmation before settlement.
Same-day report delivery and 12 months of free advice are standard.
Why this inspection matters
Before accepting the property, independent verification confirms every listed defect has been properly addressed. The Handover Inspection gives you documented confirmation. If items remain outstanding, the report gives you a clear record to raise with your builder before signing off.
Your building contract sets out what must be complete before settlement occurs. A handover inspection before final payment costs a fraction of what post-settlement defect claims typically involve in time and expense.
You might also need
About handover inspection
Do I need the PCI report to book a handover inspection?
Providing the PCI report is strongly recommended, it allows the inspector to verify each listed item systematically. If no PCI was conducted, the handover inspection can still proceed but will be broader in scope.
What if some PCI defects have not been fixed?
The report will clearly identify outstanding items. This gives you documented grounds to withhold final payment or the relevant portion of it under your building contract.
Is this inspection the same as the PCI?
No, the Handover Inspection is a follow-up to the PCI, verifying that defects have been rectified. It is shorter and more targeted than the full PCI scope.
Is this inspection useful for investors who couldn't attend the PCI?
Yes, the Handover Inspection is specifically designed for remotely located investors and property managers who need independent verification that the property is ready for occupancy and tenants.
When should the handover inspection be booked?
Book the handover inspection after your builder notifies you that all PCI defects have been rectified, and before you make your final payment or sign any documents accepting the property.