Practical completion inspection checklist — what every homeowner needs to know

A practical completion inspection (PCI) — also called a pre-handover inspection or final walkthrough — is your formal opportunity to assess your new home before you accept it from your builder. This article explains what it is, what your rights are, and provides a structured checklist to work through on the day.

What is practical completion?

Under most Australian residential building contracts (including HIA and MBA standard contracts), practical completion is the point at which:

• All building works described in the contract have been completed to a standard suitable for occupation
• Any items your certifier or building surveyor has identified as outstanding have been rectified

This is not the same as “perfect completion.” Minor defects that don’t affect the use of the home may still exist at practical completion — but they should be formally listed and agreed for rectification.

In the US, the equivalent term is “substantial completion.” In the UK, it’s simply called “practical completion” as well, but the legal implications differ.

Your rights at practical completion

In Australia, as a homeowner you have the right to:

• Carry out (or commission) an independent inspection before accepting the property
• Provide a written list of defects and have them rectified before or shortly after handover
• Refuse to accept practical completion if significant defects remain unresolved

Builders cannot force you to accept a home with unresolved defects. If your builder is pressuring you to sign off before issues are fixed, contact your state building authority (e.g. QBCC in Queensland, NSW Fair Trading, DBDRV in Victoria).

How to prepare

1. Review your contract and approved plans Know what was agreed: every finish, fixture, and fitting. Bring your contract plans printed or on your phone.

2. Commission a private building inspector A qualified inspector (look for membership of the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors or similar) brings professional expertise and indemnity insurance. They typically charge $300–$600 and are worth every dollar.

3. Photograph everything in real time Use Checka to log issues as you find them. Each photo is geotagged and timestamped, giving you an unambiguous record.

4. Don’t rush A thorough PCI takes 2–4 hours. Block out a full half-day.

Practical completion inspection checklist

Site and external

• Site clear of building materials and rubbish
• Driveway and paths: no cracking or trip hazards
• Landscaping per contract (retaining walls, turf, plants)
• Fencing: height, materials, gates operate correctly
• Gutters and downpipes: correct fall, no rust or damage
• Roof: all tiles in place, no breakage, flashing sealed around penetrations
• External paintwork: consistent coverage, no drips or missed areas
• All external fittings per plans (letterbox, clothesline, tap positions)

Windows and doors

• All windows open, close, and lock per specification
• No chips or scratches in glass
• Fly screens fitted and undamaged
• All doors open and close without binding
• Door furniture (handles, hinges) correctly fitted
• Garage door: automated and manual operation, remote works

Internal walls and ceilings

• Paint finish: no missed areas, runs, or colour variation
• Cornicing joins: no gaps or cracking at joins
• No wall damage from tradespeople
• All light fittings in correct locations per electrical plan

Floors

• Tiles: check for hollow tiles (tap each one), no cracked tiles, consistent grout
• Timber/laminate: no gaps, squeaks, or cupping
• Carpet: laid evenly, no bubbling or loose edges
• All floor transitions correctly fitted

Kitchen

• Appliances: test all (oven, cooktop, rangehood, dishwasher)
• Cabinetry: all doors and drawers aligned and smooth
• Benchtop: no chips, joins align correctly
• Plumbing: taps function, no drips, drainage clear

Bathrooms and wet areas

• Every tile: check for hollow sound
• Shower screen: correctly fitted, no chips
• All taps: correct hot/cold orientation, no drips
• Toilet: flush, seat, cistern — all working
• Exhaust fans: operational and ducted externally
• Basin, bath, and shower correctly sealed

Electrical

• All power points functional (test with a phone charger or plug tester)
• All light switches in correct positions
• Smoke alarms: type and position per your council requirements
• Switchboard: labelled, RCDs and circuit breakers present

Plumbing

• All taps functioning, hot and cold correct
• No drips or leaks under sinks or vanities
• Hot water system operational and correct capacity
• Stormwater and sewer connections per plans

What to do with your findings

At the completion of your inspection, you (or your inspector) should provide a written defects list to your builder. In Australia this is typically called a defect and omissions list — equivalent to a “punch list” in the United States or a “snagging list” in the United Kingdom.

Your builder must respond in writing, indicating:

• Which items they accept
• When they will be rectified
• Any items they dispute (and on what grounds)

Do not sign the practical completion certificate until you have this written response.

Using Checka for your PCI

Checka gives you a structured way to capture, organise, and share your defects list. During your walkthrough, log each issue with a photo, room tag, and severity level. At the end, generate a professional PDF report to share with your builder directly from the app.

If issues aren’t resolved, your Checka report becomes evidence for your state building authority or NCAT/QCAT/VCAT tribunal if your matter escalates.

Key Takeaways

• A PCI is your formal right under most Australian residential building contracts — use it
• Always commission an independent building inspector, not just a friend
• Document every defect with photos and written descriptions before signing
• Provide a formal written defects list and get a written builder response
• Australia has a defects liability period (usually 13 weeks minimum) for minor defects after handover
• For significant defects, warranties typically extend 6–10 years depending on your state