Reaching the final stage of building a home in Melbourne is an exciting milestone. After months of slabs, frames, plastering, and paint, your builder has finally claimed “Practical Completion.”

However, before you make the final payment and collect the keys, there is one critical step left: the handover inspection (also known as the PCI – Practical Completion Inspection).

Many homeowners assume that because a house is brand new, it is defect-free. In reality, modern building schedules are rushed, and sub-contractors often skip details.

To help you protect your investment, we have compiled a new home handover checklist for Melbourne properties, highlighting five common defects that builders hope you overlook during the final walkthrough.

1. Waterproofing and Wet Area Leaks

Waterproofing failures are among the most common and expensive defects in Melbourne new builds.

  • What to check: Run showers, taps, and laundry lines, and inspect beneath the vanities for any immediate dampness or leaking joins.
  • Why it matters: Poor waterproofing leads to dry rot, mold, and damage to structural timbers. Repairing a leaked shower recess post-handover often requires ripping up tiles and starting from scratch, costing upwards of $5,000.

2. Poor Subfloor and Site Drainage

During construction, landscaping and site leveling can block essential drainage pathways.

  • What to check: Walk around the perimeter of your home. Ensure soil, garden beds, or concrete paths slope away from the brick walls, and verify that subfloor vents are completely unblocked.
  • Why it matters: If water pools against the foundation or vents are blocked, moisture collects beneath the house. This weakens footings, damages floorboards, and invites termites.

3. Framing and Structural Misalignments

Even though the frame was approved at earlier stages, subsequent fit-offs can alter structural elements.

  • What to check: Check if doors and windows latch smoothly, look down long plaster walls for bulging, and use a level on kitchen countertops.
  • Why it matters: Bulging plaster or jamming doors indicate structural frames are out of plumb or structural timber movement has occurred. These are much easier for the builder to fix before plaster is patched and painted for handover.

4. External Cladding and Brickwork Mortar Gaps

Exterior brickwork, control joints, and weep holes must meet strict Australian building standards.

  • What to check: Look for missing mortar (voids), cracked brickwork, unsealed window frames, or blocked weep holes.
  • Why it matters: Mortar gaps and unsealed joints allow water and pests to enter the wall cavity. Control joints must be clean and sealed correctly to allow the house to settle without cracking brickwork.

5. Mechanical and Electrical Fit-Off Issues

Rushed finishes often lead to incomplete mechanical plumbing or electrical connections.

  • What to check: Test every light switch, open and close all cupboards, test rangehood extraction fans, and check that window locks operate.
  • Why it matters: Minor fixtures, appliances, and cabinet alignments are easily dismissed by builders once you have moved in. Having a comprehensive list of these items before final payout ensures the builder resolves them promptly.

Why You Need an Independent Handover Inspector

A builder’s site supervisor manages the construction, but they represent the building company. An independent handover inspector works exclusively for you.

At BEST Building & Pest Inspections, our inspections are conducted by experienced structural engineers. We inspect the entire property against Victorian Building Authority guidelines and supply a fully compliant, easy-to-read defect report on the same day.

Prepare your checklist. Book your independent new home inspection with us before making your final payment.