Practical Completion (Handover) Inspection (PCI)
ABIS Practical Completion Inspection and Stage Inspection Program
When you have a new home built there is an inspection conducted at the end of the process prior to the builder handing over the keys. This inspection is call a Practical Completion Inspection or “Handover Inspection”.
In addition, ABIS can be there throughout your entire house building process to look after your interests. At each step along the way, our Qualified Building Inspector is there to assess the quality of work undertaken.
You can tailor the programme to suit yourself, select all 6 stages of building inspections or simply choose the ones you’re most worried about! Or just the Building PCI Inspection.
The Programme Consists of 4 Separate Stage Inspections:
- Base Stage – immediately before slab pour.
- Frame Stage – when the frame is complete but before internal wall linings.
- Lock-Up Stage – when external windows and doors are installed and the roof is on.
- Fixing Stage – when construction is complete including cabinetry, but before painting.
Finishing with:
- PCI – a detailed building practical completion (handover) inspection will be conducted once the builder is satisfied that the construction process is practically complete and after a final clean has been undertaken.
Followed by:
- Building Warranty Inspection – conducted within 12 months as a follow-up second Building Handover Inspection to detect defects, which your builder is obliged to rectify within QBCC’s 12 month warranty period. *Note that the 6 year warranty period applies only to structural defects.
View a Sample PCI Inspection Report
Arrange My Building Handover Inspection
Benefits from our Handover Inspections:
You benefit by having an independent assessment of the quality of work so you can make your final payment with confidence.
Your builder benefits from having the opportunity to correct any defects sooner rather than later which can be costly.
Why do you need a structural building inspection?
Builders are increasingly challenged to deliver quality construction with rising building costs in a competitive new home market. Even respected builders can have variations in quality. Most builders are concerned that errors and poor workmanship with the cost of associated re-work may destroy their reputation.
Why do you need a timber and pest inspection?
Even if you have just had new termite barriers installed, you would still need a timber and pest inspection. It is common for the termite barrier, which is installed early in the construction process, to be damaged or compromised during the build.
Typical problems encountered are physical damage to the barrier, relocation of incorrectly positioned slab penetrations such as waste pipes, landscaping and paving built up above the weep holes or rendering over inspection zones. When selecting a builder:
- Don’t just rely on the display homes, get referrals. Talk to others about their experience with the builder and if possible, visit their home to see examples of the builder’s work firsthand.
- Ensure the builder is fully licensed to build in your state and carries the necessary insurance to protect you.
- Have a solicitor help you negotiate the contract and most importantly, ensure you and the builder clearly agree on what is to be built. Ensure that construction time frames, both best and worst case scenario are acceptable to you.
- If you feel there may be a personality clash between you and your builder, agree to use an impartial third party to act as liaison to handle all negotiations.
- Have ABIS conduct stage inspections, a building handover inspection and a follow-up inspection within 12 months for warranty items and within 6 years for structural problems.
Review our PCI inspection checklist
Here are some useful government information sheets:
