New Build Inspection — Pre-Handover Quality Assurance

Building a new home is exciting, but the handover process is where things can go wrong if you don't have an independent set of eyes on the property. A pre-handover inspection — also called a practical completion inspection — ensures that your new build has been completed to an acceptable standard before you sign off and take possession.

A1 Property Consultancy provides independent new build inspections across Armidale, Glen Innes, Inverell, and the wider New England region.

Why You Need an Independent Inspection Before Handover

Your builder will present the property as complete and ready for handover. But "complete" doesn't always mean "done properly." New homes can have defects ranging from cosmetic issues like poor paint finishes and uneven tiling through to serious structural concerns like incomplete waterproofing, inadequate drainage grading, missing flashings, and non-compliant work.

Once you sign off on practical completion and take possession, it becomes significantly harder to get the builder to come back and fix problems. A pre-handover inspection gives you a documented list of defects and incomplete work that the builder needs to address before you accept the property.

What We Inspect

Our new build inspection is a thorough assessment of the property against the standard you'd reasonably expect from new construction. We check that the building has been completed in accordance with the plans and specifications. We assess the quality of workmanship throughout, including brickwork, carpentry, tiling, painting, and finishes. We check that provisional cost items such as appliances, fixtures, and fittings have been supplied and installed as specified. We inspect waterproofing in wet areas, drainage grading around the building, flashings, and external cladding. We look for defects including cracking, poor alignment, gaps, unfinished work, and damage that may have occurred during construction.

We also recommend our 360-degree interactive photo service as an add-on for new build inspections. This provides you with a complete visual record of the property's condition at handover — invaluable if any disputes arise later about pre-existing damage or defects.

Your New Build Inspection Report

You'll receive a comprehensive written report within 24 hours, complete with photographic evidence documenting every defect and incomplete item identified. This report can be provided to your builder as a formal defect list for rectification before you accept handover.

A follow-up consultation is available to discuss the findings and help you understand which items are critical defects, which are minor, and what to expect from the builder in terms of rectification.

Service Area

We provide new build inspections across Armidale, Glen Innes, Inverell, Uralla, Guyra, Walcha, and surrounding areas.

Building a new home? Book your pre-handover inspection today.

Call 0487 772 757 or book online at www.a1property.pro/booking