If you are purchasing off-the-plan (OTP) in Victoria you likely already know there are risks involved surrounding the finished construction of the property. Final (pre)-handover inspections are an effective way of bridging the gap between expectations and the reality of your new home.
There are of course contractual protections which should outline the scope of possible change in design but, for the average homeowner, understanding how that translates to the final product may prove too complex to understand. With a final (pre)-handover report Houspect can inspect each component to help ensure you are signing off on quality workmanship.
Houspect Checklist
If you have read your contract thoroughly you may have noticed reference to potential alterations to specifications. The scope of these changes is not limitless so having a final (pre)-handover report will allow you to confirm that all work has been carried out within the parameters of the plans as agreed in the contract.
The report indicates the condition of the property prior to you taking possession, listing any damage to help you avoid disputes about who is responsible for fixing any issues – identifying whether the issue was there before or after you took possession.
The checklist that Houspect uses is designed to translate to an easy to understand format so that the homeowner or investor can see any defects or work that doesn’t meet required building codes. Our inspectors are qualified builders who will work from the design plan and determine whether construction has been carried out to the agreed specifications.
OTP Construction Defects
Another risk with OTP construction is that the developer is essentially operating in a potentially fluid market. That means prices of materials may increase or reputable builders or tradespeople are already tied up in other projects. The developer may then need to resort to using alternative materials or if unable to access their usual tried and true ‘tradies’, use unknown builders, all of which may lead to shortcuts being taken in order to complete the project on time.
For the homeowner or investor, these risks may result in serious construction defects which could go unnoticed for years. For instance, if a defect happens, such as balconies leaking in a storm, or floor and wall tiling cracking, once you have lived in the property for a number of years, it is almost impossible to prove that this occurred due to defects at the time of handover. Thorough final (pre)-handover inspections, carried out by qualified builders from Houspect, will provide a full list of defects which can be addressed before signing off on the property.
While you have the right to pursue remedy due to defects after completion of sale, only around 49% of property owners are successful in having defects corrected in this way. That is basically a 50/50 chance of you being significantly out of pocket to carry out repairs which stem from defects existing prior to pre-handover.
Houspect Report
The Houspect final (pre)-handover report covers every aspect of the build and includes a technical glossary, specifically designed to help the average homeowner understand the report. You will receive an extensive report that covers everything from the smallest scratch in the plaster to any major concerns with installations, balconies and walls. Some items on the report may reference failure to complete work to acceptable standards and tolerances. This is crucial information when purchasing OTP as it will help ensure the property is built to stand the test of time.
Houspect’s Pre-Handover Inspections help you to ensure the property is compliant with any relevant building regulations and free from any major defects. You can then consult with your builder, developer or construction supervisor to have defects corrected or addressed before finalising the handover. At Houspect we design our final (pre)-handover report so these providers can work directly from the list in order to bring elements up to an acceptable standard. Having an independent building inspector from Houspect carry out a final (pre)-handover inspection keeps the process honest and professional and will ensure you get what you paid for in your new home or investment.
If you would like to learn more about final (pre)-handover inspections from Houspect, you’re more than welcome to contact our offices today.
