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Building your dream home comes with challenges that you will need to work through prior to the completion of your build and moving in. Prior to the completion of your build, it is advised that you seek out a PCI inspection. A practical completion inspection is when your builder walks you through a building for review before the handover. Typically, the building process is complete in this stage, and the builder is only finishing on the minor details. Such an inspection is conducted two to three weeks before the builder hands over the final building. A PCI inspection gives you a platform to point out mistakes for the builder to rectify before you take over the property.
Benefits Of A Practical Completion Inspection
When building a home, you will want assurance that what you are paying for is in the plans and specifications, and a practical completion inspection report sets out these facts for you. Your interpretation of quality work may not be the same standard as your builder’s. So, why should you get this kind of inspection done?
- Have peace of mind knowing that the building meets the required standards.
- Be assured of quality since experts can detect issues that non-experts cannot.
- Use the report to negotiate if the results of the inspection show major issues.
What Items Are Assessed During The Inspection?
Check if the final finishes of the construction are complete and that all the features are working correctly. You should also check if the builder delivered the items in the contract. They should be consistent with the approved plans, besides following the set-out building standards and codes. The following are the items checked in a practical completion inspection checklist:
- Internal Areas – Paintwork, inner walls, tiles, lights, taps, plaster, slab, window and door installation, cabinetry, ceilings and cornice, door and window hardware, and floor coverings.
- External Areas – Paintwork, portico, taps, flyscreens, brickwork compliance, exterior walls, render installation, and outdoors.
- Roof Covering – Hip capping, flashings, gutters, facia, eave installation, box gutters, ridge capping, and downpipes.
What issues should you look out for during the inspection?
- Structural damages
- Quality of finish
- Any incomplete work
- Cosmetic defects
- Presence of appliances
- Building defects
- Safety hazards
- Fixtures and fittings
- Faulty doors and windows
Tips For Your Final Inspection Before Handover
Having a checklist will make your pre-handover inspection easy. Here are the things you can do to make it even easier.
Write Down Everything
Never rely on your builder to provide you with a checklist of what to inspect and repair. Get a downloadable practical completion inspection checklist template and list down what you want to be inspected. During the inspection, write down any issue you find and present it to your builder for correction.
Check The Contract
Check the agreements in your contract and find out if your builder has followed through with everything listed in it.
Prepare For Inspection Day
Schedule the inspection day a week or two before the settlement day for adequate preparation. Sometimes, minor defects arise when a house is left vacant for a long period. Well, you do not want to uncover these defects when you have already settled in your house or past the warranty period. Additionally, your builder will need time to rectify the issues identified during inspection before the occupation date without rushing the job.
Issues Must Be Fixed
As a client, you should get value for your money. If you find any issues that need to be rectified, insist on having them fixed before moving in. It will no longer be a priority when you complete the final payment and move in if you do not insist.
Engage A Professional
Different specialized trade contractors constructed different areas of your home. So, you require an expert who knows what to inspect and the requirements to correct any defect.
How To Contract A Building Inspector
Unfortunately, in Australia, the building industry is underregulated. Therefore, it is crucial to engage a qualified and experienced building inspector to assess your practical building. Some inspectors can mislead you by stating that they are registered, which is false as there is no such qualification. To avoid such a trap, check the credentials of the inspector and contact their referees. What should you look for in their credentials? Check for practical experience in the building industry and extensive inspection and reporting process training.
