In this blog we are going to inform you on why hand over inspections or practical completion inspections for your new build are so important and what exactly do we cover within the inspection report.
Lately we have been inundated with bookings from clients in need of a hand over inspection on their new build. Whilst the building industry has been thriving the last few years unfortunately it has been difficult to acquire the satisfactory finishes that most large building companies promise when signing up to build your dream home.
When performing a hand over inspection, the team at Co-spec Building Inspections on the Gold Coast go above and beyond for clients with our industry experience and knowledge we can detect any issues the untrained eye may fail to pick up at first, that may leave the new homeowners with some nasty little surprises once getting settled into their new homes.
When inspecting new properties, we cover all external aspects of the building including the building site looking for any potential drainage issues or lack of drainage that may create issues like ponding water against external walls and possible flooding. These types of defects can be easily resolved if picked up early saving time and money for the new homeowners.
We thoroughly inspect all external finishes of a building looking for mortar or brick defects and any areas of external render that may not be completed to a satisfactory finish. We have seen a lot of incomplete render in areas that have the potential to cause major moisture damage. Any gaps between wall cladding, external windows and door frames and areas around roof cladding and flashings that may have been missed or damaged during the build are a regular occurrence that needs to be addressed immediately before major damage can occur.
Roof cladding plays a major part in your buildings condition, so we cover all areas of roofing and guttering, getting on the roof and inspecting all capping’s, flashings and cleanliness of the roofing materials. Often enough we find a lot of new roofs have not been cleaned sufficiently enough with building products like nails and screws being left on the roof as well as swarf that may cause minor surface rust and stains on metal roof finishes leading to potential major defects and deterioration later down the track if left undetected.
When performing a building inspection on the internal areas of the buildings we thoroughly check all door and window fittings making sure all parts are functioning as the should, making sure they have been fitted correctly and don’t bind on frames or floor coverings. We check for paint defects like drips or chips and areas that may have been missed in the final coats, all being documented within the report including detailed photographs and explanations the defects that have been found, we also place stickers on the areas of concern around the property so the builders can find the defects for repair with ease.
We go through all kitchens and wet areas checking all tap ware, visible pipework and services for faults and/or leaks, cupboards, joinery and tile finishes making sure shower areas have adequate fall so no ponding occurs, and all waste drainage and overflows are in place. Caulking in wet areas with a flexible waterproof sealant is a must. We check all shower screen’s, splash backs basins and toilets have been sealed correctly to prevent water seepage in to areas that may deteriorate rapidly if damaged by excess moisture.
The team at Co-spec check all aspects of a new build inside and out and create a comprehensive inspection report that is easy to read for both clients and builders to rectify any issues prior to handover. When you finally get the keys to your new home, we want to make sure there’s nothing to worry about except enjoying your new home and settling in.
Call us on 0409 693 974 during business hours, Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm to speak to Robert.
Request an obligation free quote 24/7 via our Free Quote Form
