Pre-Handover (PCI) Inspections Melbourne

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Make Sure Your New Home Is Truly Complete Before You Get the Keys

You’ve made it to the end of your new home build in Melbourne. The last stage is often the most exciting, but it’s also where hidden defects, rushed jobs, and poor finishes can slip through. A Pre-Handover Inspection (PCI), also known as a Practical Completion Inspection, is your final safeguard to make sure your builder delivers exactly what you paid for.

What Is a Pre-Handover (PCI) Inspection?

A PCI is an independent, detailed check of your new home before you accept the keys and make your final payment. This inspection ensures your property:

Meets your contract and plans

Is free of visible defects, damage, or unfinished work

Complies with all Australian Standards and building codes

At Buy Wise, our experienced building inspectors provide PCI inspections across all of Melbourne, from Clyde North to Donnybrook, Tarneit to Officer, and every growth corridor in between.

Why You Need a PCI Inspection in Melbourne

Even good builders can miss things. Site supervisors juggle multiple jobs, and trades often work to tight deadlines. The final stages are where small problems can be rushed or overlooked, but once you pay and take the keys, it’s much harder to get defects fixed. A professional PCI inspection gives you:

Confidence that your home is built right before you settle

Leverage to get issues fixed while your builder is still responsible

Peace of mind before your family moves in

Vapour barriers and moisture protection – No rips or gaps, proper overlaps

Before reaching the final handover, it’s equally important to ensure earlier stages were completed to standard, including the Fixing Stage Inspection Melbourne where internal structures are finalised, and the Explore all Construction Stage Inspections overview for a full picture of what should be checked throughout your build.

What can go wrong if you skip a PCI?

Warranty defects that are hard to claim after settlement

Cosmetic flaws that lower your home’s value or enjoyment

Structural errors that cost thousands to repair later

Frustration, wasted time, and unnecessary stress

What’s Covered in a Buy Wise PCI Inspection?

Our VBA-registered inspectors check every detail of your new Melbourne home, inside and out.

Internal Checks

Walls, ceilings, plastering, and paint finishes

Doors and windows: alignment, operation, locks, and latches

Cabinetry, fittings, tiling, and flooring quality

Plumbing fixtures, taps, drains, and leaks

Electrical outlets, lighting, switches, and appliances

External Checks

Brickwork, render, cladding, and external paint

Rooflines, gutters, and downpipes for leaks or installation issues

Driveways, site drainage, and overall grading

Garage doors and all external access points

You get a digital, photo-based report within 72 hours. The report is written in clear, simple language, easy to hand to your builder for rectification.

What We Commonly Find in New Melbourne Homes

Don’t assume “brand new” means “problem free.” Our inspectors regularly find:

Doors or windows that don’t close or lock properly

Cracked or loose tiles, uneven floors

Incomplete, patchy, or messy paintwork

Poorly aligned cabinetry and joinery

Roof, gutter, or flashing issues that cause future leaks

Bathroom or laundry waterproofing problems

Bad site drainage that leads to pooling water after rain

Unchecked, these issues can mean stress, repair bills, or lost value. Example: In 2024, we inspected a new home in Cranbourne East where 17 separate defects were found, including bathroom leaks and a garage door that didn’t close fully. The builder fixed every issue before handover, saving the owners thousands.

The Buy Wise PCI Inspection Process

Book your inspection – online or by phone, at a time to suit your build schedule.

On-site inspection – our inspector checks every room, fixture, and fitting, as well as external areas.

Receive your report – a detailed, photo-based digital report within 72 hours.

Submit the report to your builder – get issues fixed before you pay the final instalment.

(Optional) Follow-up inspection – we can return to check that all rectifications have been completed to standard before you move in.

Timing matters: Always have your PCI before accepting the keys or paying your final invoice. That’s when your builder has the most incentive to fix defects.

Why Choose Buy Wise for Your PCI in Melbourne?

100% Independent — We work for you, not the builder

Registered Building Inspectors with decades of hands-on Melbourne experience

Thorough, easy-to-read reports with photos

Fast turnaround — reports in 72 hours

In-depth knowledge of construction, codes, and the latest industry standards

Locally owned and operated — a Melbourne family business with thousands of satisfied clients

CLIENTS FEEDBACK

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FAQs – PCI Inspections in Melbourne

My builder says the house is already ‘signed off,’ do I still need an inspection?
Yes. Builder sign-off checks are often quick and can miss important details. A PCI by Buy Wise gives you a second, unbiased opinion.

Can I attend the inspection?
Absolutely. You’re welcome to walk through with our inspector, or we can handle it all and send your report.

What areas of Melbourne do you service?
We cover all Melbourne growth corridors and suburbs: Clyde North, Cranbourne, Tarneit, Truganina, Donnybrook, Mickleham, Officer, Point Cook, Berwick, Greenvale, and more.

What if defects are found?
You give our report to your builder and they must fix the issues before handover. We can return for a follow-up if needed.

How much does a PCI inspection cost?
PCI inspections start from $399 including GST. Larger or custom builds may vary, contact us for an upfront quote.

What Most Builders Won’t Tell You

Many builders want to hand over quickly. Site supervisors are under pressure, and their checks are often basic.

A PCI from Buy Wise Inspections gives you real peace of mind, helping you protect your biggest investment from hidden defects, future headaches, and costly repairs.