We sat down with our partner Excel Property and put together everything you need to know about the defect and handover process in an independent building inspection.
What is a property defect & handover report from an independent building inspection?
Using an independent company who provide a professional inspection report when your property reaches practical completion limits the risk of any defects not being rectified by the builder prior to handover.
We provide this service through ALC Shield.
This means that you have peace of mind and can rely on professional advice from a registered builder who is a licensed building inspector and a registered quantity surveyor.
This inspection is carried out prior to handover of the property and with the building company’s building supervisor or project manager.
What does an independent building inspection report include?
A defect building inspection report supplied by a licensed builder is a walk through and physical check of your newly built investment home.
This report itemises everything that is contracted to be provided in your building contract and the inclusions and specifications and it will list any items that does not met the local council building codes and the legislated building codes or any other governing body within the building industry.
The independent building inspection checklist
Depending on the type of building being inspected the following are checked as per:
- National Construction Code (NCC)
- NCC 2019 Volume Two
- Queensland Building and Construction Commission Standards & Tolerances Guide Standards and Tolerances Guide 2016
- Victorian Building Authority Guide to Standards & Tolerances
- New South Wales Fair Trading Guide to Standards & Tolerances
- Australian Standards
What is checked during an independent building inspection at Practical Completion?
- Site conditions including access, driveway slope,
- Retaining walls and fences
- Installation of storm water pipe system
- Termite protection to all slab penetrations
- The location of the electrical meter box including safety switch
- All walls for straight and plumb
- Walls square
- Frame correctly placed on slab
- Plumbing and drainage penetrations
- Fascia and gutter if installed
- Tie down to steel columns, beams etc.
- Window openings
- Door openings
- Termite barrier
- Roofing installation
- Fascia and gutters
- Flashings to openings and penetrations
- Installation of damp proofing
- Weep holes to perimeter and window openings
- Brickwork for straight and plumb
- Brickwork for any cracked and broken bricks
- Mortar joints to brickwork
- Brick window sills
- Expansion joints to brickwork
- Quality of ceilings, wall linings and cornice
- Waterproof membrane to showers & wet areas
- Installation of party walls where required
- Installation of doors
- Installation of windows
- Installation of skirting, architraves etc.
- Cabinetry
- Ceiling and wall linings
- Garage doors.
- Pergolas, decks, patios, etc.
- Carports, sheds
- Safety glass
- Smoke alarms
- Safety switches
- Vermin proofing
- Toilet door open out or removable
- Step heights
- Balustrading
- Ceiling height
- Paint defects
- Cleaning of finished surfaces
- Installation of driveway and path
- Control joints to external concrete work
- Installation of mail box (including number)
- Installation of clothesline
- Kerb adaptor to stormwater lines
- Termite barrier system notice
- Retaining Walls
- Fencing (including function of gates)
- Damage and installation of fascia and gutter
- Damage and installation of roofing
- Installation of flashings
- Installation of downpipes and stormwater drainage
- Site drainage (fall to drains and location)
- Fall away from the house
- Brickwork or wall cladding (damage and finish)
- Control joints in brickwork
- Cleaning of brickwork
- Finish of render
- Window installation
- Damage to windows / scratches to frame or glass
- External door fitting and alignment (type of door)
- Weatherproofing of external door systems
- Hot water system
- External taps
- External lights
- Rain water tank and pump
- Air conditioner external unit fitting and drain
- Landscaping, turf and gardens
- Pergolas, decks, patios, etc.
- Carports, sheds
- Vermin proofing
- Step heights
- Balustrading
Internal
- Painting defects
- Builders clean
- Fitting and function of internal doors (screws missing, failure to latch, bowed, etc)
- Sealant of wall and floor junctions
- Alignment of walls
- Walls are plumb
- Damage to wall lining and ceiling
- Finish of cornice and ceiling
- Floor and wall tiles (grout, cracked, chipped)
- Position of smoke alarms
- Function of windows (damage)
- Function of robe doors
- Robe shelves and clothes rail
- Carpet installation
- Shower screens (potential leaks)
- Bath installation and damage
- Vanity cabinet and bowl installation and function
- Taps for function and fixing
- Plumbing fixtures for function
- Lights and fans
- Fitting of phone and aerial points
- Electrical meters
- Air conditioners
- Appliances (function, fitting and damage)
- Laundry tub and cabinet
- Garage motor function
- Function and fitting of toilets
- Fitting of toilet roll holders and towel rails
- Insulation
- Manhole cover
How does the report benefit me?
An inspection report from Excel Property Services is a fully-comprehensive written report with a gallery of photos showing the individual defects that require the builders rectification prior to final payment.
Once the report is completed and provided to the builder and yourself as the client, the builder will take up to 14 days to rectify all defects ready for final handover of your property to your property manager, Coronis Invest.
About our partner, EPC
ALC Shield brings EPC to your property. They are the trusted and accredited experts, licensed and registered and aim to identify and document any defects or omissions so they can be rectified by the builder in a timely manner.
We love what we do, and we love working with those who are great at what they do too.
Here are some reasons why EPC are ALC’s preferred and recommended Building Inspector:
- They are highly qualified team of inspectors
- They have an in depth understanding of the Building Code of Australia
- They have an in depth understanding of the relevant Australia Standards
- Complete Peace of Mind with over 28 years’ experience
- The principal has a Degree in Building Surveying
- High Customer Service Standards
- Quick turn around from request to inspection and written report
- EPC arrange everything with your builder direct
- EPC conduct a follow up inspection to check everything has been rectified and an updated inspection report
Check out ALC Shield and order your new investment property here.
