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Final Handover Inspections And Defects We Can Find

Introduction

Building a home takes a lot of time, effort, and teamwork. Whether you’re starting from scratch or renovating, many things can go wrong along the way. That’s why it’s important to check the work at every stage of construction. These are called stage inspections, and they help you spot problems early so you get the quality you’re paying for. Many people include stage inspections as part of their pre-purchase inspection packages to make sure everything from the foundation to the final handover is built to standard. One of the most important checks is the final handover inspection. This article explains what a handover inspection is, why it’s important, and what common property issues it can uncover.

handover house with lights on inside

What is a handover inspection? How is it beneficial for the owner?

A handover inspection is conducted on a newly constructed building as soon as it is completely made. It is done just before the contractor hands over the possession of the property to the owner and claims full payment for the work done. A final handover inspection is done by a certified expert to get a holistic report of the building that highlights all defects, disputes and other discrepancies found, and to check whether the property meets the standards set by legislation like the Building Code of Australia, National Construction Code, etc. You will be able to derive a multitude of benefits from a handover inspection, such as:

  • Identifying defects in the property on time and rectifying them at low costs;
  • Getting a property constructed exactly the way you’d imagined and the contract was signed;
  • Meeting all the legal building standards and requirements of Australia;
  • Assessing performance of the contractor and quality of work;
  • Having a certified professional to guide you through the tedious process of constructing or renovating a building.

If an inspection is not done during the construction phase, it could lead to a lot of expensive repairs, replacements and non-compliance fines in the future. Even if a small defect goes unnoticed (also known as a latent defect), it may prove to be disastrous over the years. It is always better to employ a professional to inspect your property before getting possession.

Who conducts a handover report?

You will be able to gain all of the aforementioned benefits and more by simply requesting a handover inspection by a certified professional. This may either look like a building surveyor or an independent building inspector. Any individual certified by the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors (AIBS) is a professional eligible to inspect your property.

In the simplest of words, a building surveyor will only assess if your building meets the basic Australian standards of workmanship. S/he is responsible for issuing you a certificate of compliance if the results of the construction satisfy the criteria prescribed in the legislation.

An independent building inspector, on the other hand, will examine the quality of work done by the contractor and help you take your dream building from better to best. S/he does not work for any particular company or builder, and so, is free of all biases. We would strongly recommend all our readers to employ an independent building inspector who is primarily concerned with objectively making your building an even more valuable property. A private inspector will become an integral part of your building plan since s/he will be able to provide expert guidance to streamline the construction process towards a more qualitative end.

What is covered in a handover inspection?

At the end of a handover inspection, a private building inspector will compile all relevant details found throughout the process into a very comprehensive report. This report covers all defects that are to be immediately rectified by the builder, non-compliance, deficits and other suggestions by examining all internal and external accessible parts of the building such as:

  • The general quality of work in terms of tiling, plastering, painting, cleaning up, etc.
  • Permanent fixtures
  • Roof cover, insulation and sarking
  • Brickwork and concrete strength
  • Plumbing (drainage, seepage, )
  • Walls (internal and external)
  • Ceilings
  • Flooring
  • Doors and frames (internal and external)
  • Windows and frames (internal and external)
  • Patios, driveways and gardens (soil type, acidity and soil erosion)
  • Balconies and stairs
  • Preventive barriers for termites
  • Cupboards, kitchen cabinets and wardrobes

At the very minimum, an inspection of all of these aspects will deem the building as a legitimate property in the state of Australia only when it meets the following three criteria:

  1. It has been built both to plan and to specifications laid down by the owner and signed as a contract between the owner and the builder;
  2. It meets Australian Standards and Tolerances as well as other regulations in the state; and,

The workmanship in the property satisfies the building inspector.

What are building defects? What are the most common defects found during a handover inspection?

One of the most important purposes of a final handover inspection is to detect all defects in any aspect of the construction of the building. According to the Australian Glossary of Building Terms, a building defect is defined as “a fault or deviation from the intended condition of a material, assembly or component”. Furthermore, a defect may be characterised into two types:

  • Minor building defects: superficial faults that do not affect liveability
  • Major building defects: faults that affect the structural integrity and habitability such as roof leaks, cracks in cement, electrical or plumbing fails, etc.

Here’s a handy list of the most common defects found at this stage of building inspections that you must keep an eye out for:

  • Drainage: soil erosion, breeding of mosquitoes due to stagnant water, tap leaks, water damage to slabs, etc.
  • Pests and Termites: termite damage to wooden apparatus in the property such as doors, window frames, ceilings, wooden flooring, gardens, etc.
  • Structural Defects: wear and tear of foundation walls, loose bricks on the roof, floor joists, etc.
  • Roof Troubles: harsh Australian climatic conditions cause expedited wear and tear in the form of leaks.
  • Wooden Flooring Damage: dangerous gaps, an infestation of unwelcome creatures like rats and termites, peeling and uneven floors, warping, etc.

Air circulation: unhealthy moulds, wood rot, expensive aircon functioning, etc.

Steps to take

You might be thinking after reading the previous section of the article: what to do when all of these defects are detected in my property? Worry not, all you have to do is contact the multiple certified building inspectors in your locality who will efficiently guide you towards the corrective measures you need to demand from your builder before paying for the property.

For instance:

  • Any non-structural deficits found in this stage need to be rectified by the contractor within 12 months.
  • Minor defects may be reported in the ‘Building Defect Liability Period’ as per the contract.
  • Major defects may be reported to the builder up to 7 years as per Home Building Warranty in Australia and up to 10 years under Victorian Consumer Affairs law.

If the inspection’s findings conflict with the builder, the owner is in his right to make an official complaint with the Victorian Building Authority or via VCAT. When all defects have been rectified, you will have a brand new property to make good use of!

Conclusion

Having your property inspected before paying the builder the full price is always a great idea. Moreover, identifying such defects at such an early phase is much better than having a liability in a matter of a few years. To schedule an inspection with an expert to construct a commendable building, contact us today!

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