New Build Handover Inspection
Builder says the defects are fixed, we verify that claim before you sign off.
- Same-day report (subject to access and availability)
- Upfront pricing
- 12 months free advice
On-site ~1hr · Report same day (subject to access and availability)
What's in your new build handover inspection
Included
- Verification of all PCI defect rectifications
- New defect identification
- Final operation check on doors, windows, and fixtures
- Photographic comparison with PCI report
- Updated defect status report
Our inspectors document every accessible element on site with photo evidence and severity ratings.
Real defects our inspectors have flagged
What we find when we walk a property
Every new build handover inspection draws on the same indexed defect corpus, patterns our inspectors have catalogued across thousands of properties.
Across Perth and Sydney. Every report indexed.
Per property our inspectors document, photograph and severity-rate.
23,030 defects classified critical: items that affect structure, safety or value.
Source: SURE defect corpus, refreshed monthly
The process
- 1
Book after builder notifies you that defects are rectified
Book the handover inspection after your builder advises that all PCI items have been addressed, and before you sign the handover certificate.
- 2
Inspector verifies all PCI items
Your SURE inspector works through each defect from the PCI report, checking current condition with photographic comparison, and identifies any new defects introduced during rectification.
- 3
Updated report delivered same day
A report categorising every item as resolved, partially resolved, or unresolved is emailed the same day, subject to access and availability.
- 4
Proceed to handover
Use the report to confirm the property is ready, or raise any unresolved items with your builder before signing the handover certificate.
See exactly what you get before you book
Our new build 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 new build 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 new build handover inspection
The handover inspection is your quality gate between the builder claiming defect rectification is complete and you accepting the keys to your new home. Following a practical completion inspection, the builder is given a defect list to rectify. The handover inspection verifies that every item on that list has been properly addressed.
Our inspectors work from the original PCI defect report, checking each documented item against its current condition with photographic comparison. We also inspect for new defects that may have been introduced during the rectification process, damaged finishes from tradesperson access, new paint overspray, and fixture damage are common secondary issues.
The updated defect status report categorises every item as resolved, partially resolved, or unresolved. If significant unresolved items remain, this report gives you the documented evidence to withhold signing the handover certificate until the builder completes rectification, protecting your rights during what is often the most contentious stage of a new build project.
You might also need
About new build handover inspection
What's the difference between PCI and handover inspection?
The PCI creates the initial defect list. The handover inspection verifies that the builder has actually fixed everything on that list before you sign the handover certificate. It also identifies any new defects introduced during the rectification process.
Do I need both a PCI and a handover inspection?
We strongly recommend both. The PCI documents defects; the handover verifies fixes. Without a handover inspection, you're relying on the builder's word that everything has been rectified, and our inspectors regularly find 20-40% of PCI defects either not fixed or inadequately fixed at handover.
What if defects haven't been fixed?
If our handover inspection finds unresolved defects, the updated report gives you documented grounds to withhold signing the handover certificate until rectification is complete. This is your strongest leverage point in the build process.