Your new home may look finished, but defects, incomplete work and poor finishes are not always obvious during a final walkthrough.
Get an independent handover inspection before signing off with your builder, so you know exactly what may need to be addressed.
New home handover inspections from $660 including GST
We’ll be in touch shortly to confirm the inspection, timing and price. Need an answer sooner? Call Andrew on 0421 707 908.
A newly built home is a major investment. By the time handover arrives, you’re understandably ready to collect the keys and move in.
But even a brand-new property can have incomplete work, inconsistent finishes or defects that are difficult to identify during a quick walkthrough.
An independent handover inspection gives you a clearer understanding of the home’s condition before you accept it. Any visible concerns are documented in a detailed report that you can raise with your builder.
Your builder’s final walkthrough does not replace having the property independently assessed on your behalf. Andrew reviews the accessible areas of the completed home, looking beyond presentation to identify visible defects, incomplete work and inconsistencies.
A handover inspection can help you:
The goal is not to create conflict with your builder. It is to give everyone a clear, practical list of items that may need to be reviewed or rectified.
Andrew completes a thorough visual assessment of the home’s safe and accessible areas, looking for visible defects, incomplete work and inconsistencies.
The inspection is tailored to the property and may include:
We review accessible internal areas for visible problems with walls, ceilings, floors, cabinetry, doors, windows, trims, fixtures and finishes.
The inspection considers accessible external walls, roofing elements, windows, doors, drainage, paths and other completed areas around the home.
We identify visible workmanship concerns, damaged items, unfinished work and areas that may not match the expected standard of finish.
Visible work is considered against relevant building standards and accepted tolerances where they apply to the items being inspected.
Thermal imaging can be used to help identify possible moisture or leak concerns that may not be immediately visible.
Accessible doors, windows, fixtures, steps, brickwork, margins and drainage areas may be checked for visible defects or inconsistencies.
Where it is safe and reasonably accessible, additional areas may be reviewed for visible defects or incomplete work.
Important note: the inspection covers areas that are complete, safe and reasonably accessible at the time. Inaccessible, obstructed or unfinished areas will be noted in the report.
Some defects are easy to spot. Others only become apparent when the property is inspected methodically by someone with building experience.
Common issues may include:
Not every issue is a major defect. Your report will help separate smaller finishing items from concerns that may warrant closer attention.
After the inspection, you’ll receive a clear report documenting the home’s visible condition at the time of handover.
Your report includes:
The report gives you a structured list of items to discuss with your builder rather than relying on memory or photos without context, and you can speak directly with Andrew if you need help understanding the findings.
An independent inspection of your newly completed home before you accept handover.
Your inspection includes:
The final price depends on the home’s size, design, location and stage of completion. Send through the property details for a confirmed quote.
The ideal time for an inspection is when your builder advises that the home has reached practical completion and is ready for handover.
At this point:
It is worth contacting IBRV before the expected completion date so we can reserve time around your anticipated handover. If your date changes, let Andrew know as soon as possible, and we’ll work with you to find a suitable inspection time.
Tell us the address, builder, expected completion date and size of the home.
We’ll provide a quote and work with you and your builder to arrange access once the home is ready.
Andrew methodically reviews the safe and accessible areas of the completed home, taking detailed photos and documenting visible concerns.
You’ll receive a clear report outlining the defects, incomplete work and items that may require further attention.
You can use the report to work through the identified items with your builder before or as part of the handover process.
Andrew is a qualified carpenter with extensive hands-on building knowledge. He understands how homes are put together and where workmanship or completion issues can occur.
IBRV is engaged by you, giving you an independent view of the visible condition of the completed home.
The home is assessed area by area, with visible concerns photographed and clearly documented.
Your report is designed to help you raise items with your builder without having to interpret a confusing technical checklist.
You’ll deal directly with Andrew from the initial enquiry through to any questions you have after receiving the report.
Based in Wangaratta, IBRV provides handover inspections across North East Victoria and surrounding regional centres.
Read why buyers, homeowners and property professionals across the region trust Andrew and IBRV for prompt, thorough and straightforward building inspections.
Andrew was incredibly helpful, honest, and took the time to walk me through the inspection findings and answer all my questions. It saved me both time and money, and gave me the confidence I needed to move forward. Highly recommend.
Andrew has been very helpful on three properties for us. He’s our go to man for anything to do with building inspections, having been prompt, reliable and a responsive communicator. Great to deal with and unreservedly recommended.
Andrew was professional, fast and very thorough in his reviews of two homes for us. Very happy with his service and would definitely recommend and use again.
My experience with Andrew was exceptional, and I highly recommend his services to anyone in need of a building inspection, I am confident that I will continue to rely on Andrew for future inspections, and I will not hesitate to recommend him to my own clients and colleagues.
100% recommend IBR. Andrew was very professional, thorough and more than happy to answer my many questions. Support small business, this service without a doubt impeccable, reliable and well priced.
Andrew is very professional, honest, trustworthy person. You can trust him 100%. If you need a building inspection report, seek Andrew. Recommend 200%.
IBRV is based in Wangaratta and provides independent handover inspections throughout North East Victoria and surrounding regional areas.
Key service areas include:
We can also travel to surrounding towns and rural locations. If your area is not listed, contact us to check availability.
The inspection should generally take place once the builder advises that the home is complete and ready for handover. We recommend enquiring before this point so time can be reserved around your expected completion date.
Your builder’s walkthrough is part of their handover process. An independent inspection provides a separate assessment completed on your behalf, with visible concerns documented in a detailed report.
Most handover inspections take between two and four hours. Larger or more complex homes may require additional time.
Reports are generally delivered within 24 hours of the inspection. Let us know if you are working to a specific handover deadline.
No inspection can guarantee that a property is completely defect-free. The inspection is a visual assessment of the safe and accessible areas at the time and documents the issues that can reasonably be identified.
Where relevant, visible work may be considered against applicable standards and tolerances. The report will explain any observed items that may require further review or clarification.
The inspection may identify visible concerns involving fixtures, finishes or services, but it does not replace specialist plumbing, electrical, engineering or compliance certification. Further specialist assessment may be recommended where required.
The report is prepared for you to provide to your builder. Any direct communication or attendance involving the builder should be discussed with Andrew when booking.
Incomplete or inaccessible areas will be documented. Depending on the stage of the home, a return visit may be recommended and could involve an additional fee.
Discuss this with Andrew when booking. Attendance will depend on the site’s access requirements, safety conditions and your builder’s arrangements.
You can provide the report to your builder and request that the identified items be reviewed or rectified. If a finding requires specialist advice, the report may recommend further investigation.
Contact IBRV to discuss the stage of your build and the type of inspection you need. Availability and scope can be confirmed based on your project.
Arrange an independent handover inspection before accepting the keys and get a clear record of visible defects, incomplete work and areas requiring attention.
New home handover inspections from $660 including GST
Based in Wangaratta and servicing North East Victoria and surrounding regions.