Inspections

Fixing Stage Inspection Checklist

Pre-payment checklist for your fixing (fit-out) stage inspection. Covers plastering, tiling, cabinetry, painting, electrical and plumbing fit-off, and all internal finishes before releasing your fixing stage payment.

Fixing Stage Inspection Checklist

When to use this checklist: Use this before releasing your fixing stage progress payment. The fixing stage covers all internal fit-out works — from plastered and painted walls through to tiling, cabinetry, fixtures, and finishes. This is the last chance to identify defects in trades work before the final clean and handover. Do not release the fixing stage payment if tiling is incomplete, painting has not received its final coat, or significant fit-off items are outstanding.

📋 Documentation to request

Plumbing compliance certificate — must be issued before fit-off is complete

Electrical compliance certificate — confirm fit-off passed inspection

Waterproofing compliance certificate — confirm wet areas were certified before tiling

Colour selection documents — use to check every finish, colour, and product against spec

Appliance manuals and warranty cards for all installed appliances

Any variation orders affecting internal finishes, fixtures, or fittings

🪣 Plastering, walls, and ceilings

All walls and ceilings plastered and set — no visible joins, nail pops, or unset areas

Cornices fitted and joined — no gaps at corners or ceiling junctions

Skirting boards and architraves installed — mitres tight, no visible gaps, fixing points flush

Internal doors hung — check each opens and closes without binding, sticking, or dragging

Door hardware fitted — handles, latches, locks, door stops all in correct positions

Ceiling height consistent in each room — measure at multiple points

No damage to plasterboard or set from trades passing through after plastering

🖌️ Painting

Final coat complete on all walls and ceilings — no areas still showing undercoat or bare substrate

Paint colour matches colour selection documents — check in natural light

Sheen level consistent across each room — no patches of different sheen within the same surface

No paint runs, drips, or sags visible from normal viewing distance (1.5 metres)

No missed areas — check around light fittings, behind doors, and at ceiling-wall junctions

No paint on glass, tiles, fixtures, or hardware — or if present, cleaned before handover

Roller marks and joins not visible under normal room lighting from 1.5 metres

🔲 Tiling — all areas

Tap every tile with a coin — hollow sound indicates debonding; mark and record hollow tiles

No cracked, chipped, or broken tiles — check every surface systematically

Grout joints consistent in width and colour throughout each tiled area

No grout staining, discolouration, or incomplete grouting

Lippage between tiles — check with a straight-edge; maximum 1 mm for standard grout joints

Tile colour and pattern matches colour selection and approved sample

Tile trims, edge tiles, and external corners neatly finished

Shower floor drains correctly — pour water and confirm it flows to the waste, not away from it

Movement joints (silicone-sealed, not grouted) at all internal corners of tiled areas

🍳 Kitchen

All cabinetry doors and drawer fronts aligned and level — adjust hinges if required before release

All drawers operate smoothly — no sticking, racking, or soft-close failure

Benchtop: no chips, scratches, or visible joins; edge profile matches specification

Splashback installed and matches specification — no chips or cracked tiles/glass

Appliances installed per plan — test oven, cooktop, rangehood, dishwasher, and microwave

All plumbing functional: sink tap hot and cold correct, no drips, drainage clear

Rangehood ducted externally — confirm by running on high and checking airflow at external outlet

Kickboard panels fitted — no gaps or missing sections

🚿 Bathrooms, ensuites, and laundry

Shower screen: correctly installed, no chips or cracks, seals complete, door operates smoothly

All taps: hot and cold orientation correct, no drips under pressure — test every tap

Toilet: flush mechanism operates, cistern fills and stops, no leaks at base or cistern connections

Basin/vanity: tap correct, drain clear, no leaks under vanity

Bath: correctly sealed at wall junctions, no chips in enamel, waste drains correctly

Exhaust fans: operational, ducted externally — confirm airflow at outlet

All wet area accessories: towel rails, toilet roll holder, robe hooks — correctly positioned

Silicon sealant at all basin, bath, and shower to wall junctions — no gaps or cracking

Laundry tub, tap, and drainage functional — no leaks

⚡ Electrical fit-off

All power points functional — test with a phone charger or plug tester at every outlet

All light switches operate the correct lights — test each one

Light fittings installed in correct positions per electrical plan

Smoke alarms installed in correct positions and functional — test the test button

Switchboard labelled — each circuit identified; RCDs and safety switches present

Number and position of power points and switches matches electrical plan and colour selection

USB outlets, data points, or TV/antenna points functional where specified

Outdoor power points installed and weatherproofed where specified

🏠 Flooring

Timber or laminate flooring: no squeaks, gaps between boards, cupping, or peaking

Carpet: no bubbles, wrinkling, or loose edges — run hand along all skirting lines

All floor transitions (between carpet and tile, timber and tile) correctly fitted — no trip hazards

Flooring product matches colour selection — check brand, colour code, and pattern

Wet area tile falls correct — confirm water drains to waste in showers and laundry

📝 Defects noted on inspection

10.

Track defects digitally with Checka

This checklist helps you spot issues. Checka helps you document them with photos, share reports with your builder, and track what gets fixed.

Download free on App Store Google Play