An Independent Practical Completion Inspection (PCI) is essential for your new home
After years of saving and planning for your new home build, and then months (or even years) of the construction phase, being invited to complete a Practical Completion Inspection (aka PCI) of the home is a major, exciting and daunting milestone.
However, before accepting the keys, it’s essential to carry out a thorough check to ensure the build reflects your contract and specifications, the meets minimum standards for quality and to identify any defects that require rectification prior to handover. While the Site Supervisor/Builder should do their own checks, and some builders may employ someone ‘independent’ for this, doing your own due diligence is critical.
Ensuring a thorough independent PCI/Final Inspection is performed by an expert Building Consultant is protecting the long-term value of your property. Addressing defects before handover will help to avoid stress, frustration, unexpected maintenance costs or costly legal disputes in the future.
As the homeowner, we always recommend that you complete your own ‘PCI’ in addition to engaging a Building Consultant such as Manse Group to complete an independent Final Inspection.
The Practical Completion Inspection (PCI) and Final Inspection process
The builder will invite you to complete a Practical Completion Inspection (PCI) just before the official completion of a build, when the home is deemed to be ‘practically complete’. This meeting marks the homeowner’s last opportunity identify any defects, incomplete work, or issues that need addressing before the project is handed over. If items are not listed on the final defects list, they are not a formal/contractual defect.
The final process is clearly outlined in you Building Contract – We strongly recommend re-visiting this section of your contract, so you know what to expect. Typically;
- The Builder issues the “Notice of Completion” and “Final” invoice once they think the house is completed as per the plans and specifications. After receiving the Notice of Completion, there is a time limit for when the final defects list must be submitted to the builder.
Do not complete your PCI before the builder has issued the formal ‘Notice of Completion’. - Manse Group will ideally complete our independent Final Inspection two days prior to your PCI/formal walk-through with the builder. This ensures that you can add items of significance identified in our inspection to the formal defects list the Builder/Owner sign.
- The builder rectifies the necessary items in the defects report.
- Manse Group completes the final re-inspection (if required) to ensure defects have been rectified.
- You will have a handover inspection and receive the keys. YAY!
We always advise the more involved you are, the better knowledge you will have and ultimately achieve better outcomes.
To assist with your PCI, we’ve generated a list of elements we believe are important for you to check at the final stage of your new home build. CLICK HERE to see our PCI Guide for homeowners.
In addition to our PCI Guide, you may also find our End of Build Checklist has some more helpful advice and your build nears completion.
Independent Final Inspections (PCI) by Manse Group
When trades and builders assess their own work, there can be a natural tendency to overlook small issues or even neglect aspects that are more difficult to address. An independent inspection by Manse Group brings fresh eyes and professional expertise to the table, ensuring that the important elements of your home are thoroughly assessed.
The impartiality of an independent inspection by Manse Group can help avoid potential conflicts of interest, ensuring that the inspection is not influenced by the desire to reach the final payment stage.
Before heading to site, we complete a review of the contractual documentation to prepare for the inspection. In doing this, we risk-rate job specific items that complement our standard checklist, and we go into every inspection with open eyes.
What sets us apart
- All of our Assessors are highly experienced Registered Building Practitioners (DB-U or IN-U).
- The most thorough checklists; our sample checklists show what we check at a minimum during a final inspection.
- Our inspections follow a set process, they are not sporadic.
- During an inspection we check that elements of the construction reflect your building contract and drawings.
- Our inspections are in accordance with AS 4349.0-2007: Inspection of Buildings and comply with the builder’s OHS requirements.
- We maintain professionalism and a facts-based approach at all times – Items that are identified as a defect are not a matter of opinion, they simply do not meet the required standard/s.
- Our sample inspection reports provide an insight into our reporting style and show how we mark-up defective items incorporating locations, photos and references to the required standard.
Detailed reports to document defects
Building a new home is a complex process and it is common for minor issues or defects to go unnoticed by those who are involved in the day-to-day work. These problems may range from cosmetic flaws to significant structural concerns that could affect the long-term stability and safety of the home.
Our easy-to-follow facts-based reports include locations, photos, and references to the required standard that any concerns can be addressed promptly and efficiently. They also serve as a valuable record for the future. If an issue is discovered post-handover, the inspection documentation can serve as evidence that the problem existed prior to completion.
Our reports provide a clear reference point for the builder, trades, and homeowner, helping to ensure that all concerns are addressed before the build is finalized.
Quality Assurance for your Investment
While it’s exciting and daunting at the same time, you’re on the home stretch. Now, more than ever is the time to be vigilant and stay strong. From our experience, positive outcomes with identified defects are largely driven by strong owners. Accompanying this with our detailed, facts-based final inspection report will ensure you are well placed to hold your builder accountable to any defects found with your new home.
A final inspection by Manse Group will reduce the risk to your investment and give you peace of mind, helping to ensure the construction meets the minimum standards of quality, safety and compliance. We are regularly told that our final inspection was the best money spent throughout the entire build process.
While many of our clients engage us for the five critical inspection stages throughout a new home build, Manse Group also complete one-off Final Inspections for homeowners as their builds come to completion.
We’d love to help ensure your home is built to the minimum standard for quality and workmanship! Contact our friendly team to discuss your final inspection today.
