This is a list of some of the items inspected in a Handover Inspection
Site Conditions
- Access
- Site Gradient
- General Soil Type
- Soil erosion & sediment control
- Orientation
- Weather conditions
- Surface drainage
- Subsidence
- Seepage
- Termite nesting sites & conditions conducive to termites
Site Improvements/Conditions
- Landscaping
- Finished ground level adjacent to building
- Finished slab height
- Driveways/access/slope
- Crossover
- Paving
- Gates & Fencing generally
- Builders sign/site identification
- Storm water pipes
- Sanitary drainage
- Termite control noted inc. type and location of barriers i.e. to drainage pipes.
- Termite notices
- Retaining Walls & location
- Visually check site clear of building rubbish and materials appropriately stored
Outbuildings
- Shed structural adequacy, materials, workmanship
- Pergola structural adequacy, materials, workmanship
External
- Piers/stumps
- Foundations
- Walls
- Damp proofing
- Weatherproofing of single leaf masonry
- Tie-downs
- Doors – for correct clearances & function
- Door locks
- Windows & sills – for bows, sagging & twists
- Lintels
- Weep holes
- External paint finish
- Glazing for scratches & chips
- Safety switch
- Vermin proofing
- Hot water heater, drainage & platform
- Air conditioning unit installation & drainage
- Gas bottles – gas pipes no contact
- Double storey return air duct sealed
- Letterbox
Brickwork
- Control joints location & waterproofing
- Weep holes
- Control joints appropriately located & sealed
- Mortar strength & finish
- Chipped bricks
- Perimeter flashing 1st floor
- Weep holes above windows
- Walls straight, plumb & correctly bearing on slab
- Perpends (intersecting wall) & bed joints
- Window sills – correct clearances
- Half or full height piers
- Bagging to brickwork
- Termite barrier on correct course
Balcony
- structural adequacy
- materials
- workmanship
Patio
- structural adequacy
- materials
- workmanship
Porch
- structural adequacy
- materials
- workmanship
Verandah
- structural adequacy
- materials
- workmanship including:
- framing
- stirrups
- heights
Deck
- structural adequacy
- materials
- workmanship
Carport
- structural adequacy
- materials
- workmanship
Frame
- Subfloor frame clearance
- Truss clearances over internal walls
- Masonry brick/block structural walls
- Battens fixed to rafters
- Fire rated elements – Party walls
- Binders in place & fixed at ends
- Floor member size & spacing
- Floor bracing & tie downs
- Wall frame secure & straight at top & bottom plates
- Corners & walls plumb
- Roof frame member size & spacing
- Construction of window & door openings – heights, directions, plumb & level
- Blocking & nogging for wall & ceiling linings
- Ceiling frame member size & spacing
- Ceiling Heights
- Lintels Tight & to List
- Aluminium Door Frame Brackets
- Position of external wall frame in relation to slab
- Roof frame member size & spacing
- Roof frame bracing
- Roof frame tie downs
- Girder trusses supported
- Point Load Support
- Manhole Position
- Bulkheads
- Check Dutch Gables
- Concrete structural walls
Roof Framing
- Roof trusses to wall frames
- Framing
- Sarking
- Insulation – damage
Roof Covering
- Covering
- Fixings
- Ridge
- Hips
- Valleys
- Gutters – straight, level & correctly installed
- Flashings
- Fascia, barges- straight, level & correctly installed
- Downpipes straight & clips
- Gables, soffits – straight, level & correctly installed
- Roofing installed & complete to Standards & manufacture specifications
- Appropriate flashings to openings & penetrations checked for fitting & condition
- Roof Penetrations
Floor
- Piers/stumps
- Foundations
- Framing
- Flooring – nail, glue & seal
- Flooring – butt nogging
- Floor join sanding
- Sheeting
- Ventilation
- Ponding
- Concrete slab
- Damp proofing
- Floors below ground level & flooding
- Subfloor level relative to finished ground level
- Suspended floors
- Ventilation including subfloor ventilation
Joinery
- Landings
- Balustrading
- Step heights
- Stairs
- Ramps
Internal Rooms
- Doors fitted to acceptable standards & function using appropriate blocks & fixings to maintain the frame straight & true – door margins
- Windows fitted to acceptable standards & function using appropriate blocks & fixings to maintain the frame straight & true
- Window treatments & cover boards
- Handles
- Locks
- Screens
- Ceilings, wall linings & cornice fitted to acceptable standards with comment on the quality of finish & any obvious defects
- Ceiling heights
- Skirting fitted to acceptable standards & function
- Architraves fitted to acceptable standards & function – architrave quirk margins
- Walls – plaster straight edges & square setting, joints for tool marks & sanding ridges
- Light fittings
- Floor
- Floor coverings
- Tiling & grouting for level straight & finish; junctions & joins for caulk sealing
- Cabinets aligned & correctly installed
- Cabinets finish – for scratches
- Carpentry internal fix woodwork
- Power points
- Internal paint finish – for coverage, blemishes, paint runs, over painting & nail holes checked for proper filling
- Safety glass
- Smoke alarms
Kitchen
- Benchtops
- Bench cupboards
- Wall cupboards
- Drawers
- Pantry
- Sink
- Stove top – presence
- Disposal unit- presence
- Griller- presence
- Oven- presence
- Exhaust fan/rangehood- presence
- Dishwasher- presence
- Taps – all cut-outs around taps for correct sizing
- Splashback
Bedrooms
- Wardrobes
- Drawers
- Shelves
Bathrooms
- Window openings to shower areas appropriately sealed
- Waterproof membrane to showers & wet areas
- Bath installation & proper support
- Basin
- Vanity
- Mirror
- Shower & hob installation
- Screens
- Wastes
- Towel rails
- Taps
- Toilets
- Tiles – wall
- Tiles – floor
Toilets
- Toilet door open out or removable
- Waste
- Flange
- Cistern
Laundry
- Tub
- Cabinet
- Wall cupboard
- Benchtop
- Linen press
- Taps
- Waste
- Tiles – wall
- Tiles – floor
Garage/Carport/Storeroom
- Garage doors
- Remotes- presence
Documents are also sighted:
- The Building Services Authority insurance certificate
- The certificate for the termite management system installed
- The building certifier’s stage inspection approvals
- Waterproof membrane certificate for wet areas
- Plumbing and drainage certificates
- Glazing certificate
- Owner manuals and warranties for installed appliances