Handover / PCI Inspection
Make sure your brand-new home is finished properly before you accept the keys.
QBCC Licensed BuilderLicence 15014911 — verify
Master BuildersMember 72047
Termatrac CertifiedTermite radar technology- Professional IndemnityInsurance held
- Public LiabilityInsurance held
- Same-Day ReportsOr the pest fee is waived
A handover inspection — also called a practical completion inspection or PCI — is an independent check of your newly built home just before you sign off with the builder. Our licensed builder-inspectors assess workmanship and finishes throughout the property against acceptable industry standards and your building contract, documenting every defect and incomplete item.
New does not always mean defect-free. Paint flaws, poorly hung doors, tiling faults, waterproofing problems and unfinished work are common in new builds, and the practical completion stage is your strongest opportunity to have them corrected. Once you accept handover, getting the builder back becomes noticeably harder.
If you are building anywhere in Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, the Gold Coast or Moreton Bay, a PCI puts a qualified, unbiased professional in your corner. You receive a clear defect list the builder is obliged to address before you take possession.
What's included
- Internal finishes — paintwork, plasterboard, cornices, skirtings and architraves — checked for defects
- Operation of every door and window, including locks, seals and hardware
- Cabinetry, benchtops and joinery alignment, damage and finish quality
- Wet areas checked for tiling faults, correct falls, sealing and visible waterproofing defects
- Plumbing fixtures tested for operation, leaks and secure installation
- Visual check of electrical fittings, switches and power points
- Roof exterior, gutters, fascia and flashings, plus roof void where accessible
- External works — brickwork, render, cladding, driveways, paths and site drainage
- Workmanship compared against the plans and acceptable industry standards
- A numbered, photographed defect list formatted for you to submit straight to your builder
Ready to book? This inspection starts from $450.00.
Book this inspectionWhy it matters
Builder must rectify
Defects identified at practical completion are documented while the builder is still contractually obliged to fix them at no cost to you.
Expert eyes, not emotion
It is hard to be critical of your own dream home. A licensed builder-inspector applies objective industry standards, not excitement.
Nothing gets missed
We methodically work through every room, surface and fitting — including areas most owners never think to check, like the roof void.
Report ready same day
Your photographic defect report arrives the same day, so the builder can start rectification without delaying your handover date.
Areas we inspect
- Brisbane
- Logan
- Gold Coast
- Ipswich
- Moreton Bay
Report turnaround
Your practical completion defect report is delivered the same day as the inspection.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a handover / PCI inspection cost?
From $450 for a one-bedroom unit or apartment, with fees stepping up by property size — a four- or five-bedroom double-storey home is from $650. Given the value of the defects a PCI typically uncovers, most clients regard it as one of the cheapest parts of their build.
When should I book the inspection?
Book once your builder notifies you that the home has reached practical completion, and before you attend the formal handover meeting. That timing lets you present our defect list at the meeting, so rectification is agreed before you accept the keys. We recommend booking a few days ahead to secure your preferred date.
How fast is the report delivered?
The same day as the inspection. Articon's same-day reporting promise applies to every inspection we perform, which means your builder gets the defect list immediately and your handover timeline is not held up waiting on paperwork.
What if the builder disputes the defects?
Our reports document each item with photographs and reference acceptable industry standards, which resolves most disagreements quickly. The report comes from an independent, QBCC-licensed inspector (licence 15014911), so it carries real weight. If a dispute escalates, the report provides solid evidence for a QBCC complaint.
Is a PCI different from construction stage inspections?
Yes. Stage inspections check the build at slab, frame, lockup and fixing stages while the work is still exposed; a PCI is the final quality check of the finished home. They complement each other — stage inspections catch structural issues early, and the PCI catches finishing defects at the end.
Related services
New Construction Stage Inspections
Independent inspections at the key construction stages — slab, frame, lockup and fixing — so problems are caught while t…
From $500.00
Builder Defects Warranty Inspection
A detailed inspection of your home before the builder's statutory warranty period expires, documenting defects and incom…
From $500.00
Pool Safety Inspection & Certificate
An inspection of your pool or spa barrier against the current safety regulations, with a pool safety certificate issued…
From $260.00
Ready to book your inspection?
Get a fast quote for any property in Brisbane, Logan, Gold Coast, Ipswich or Moreton Bay — comprehensive report delivered the same day.