Practical Completion (PCI) & Handover Inspections
Our Practical Completion Inspections across Canberra and Googong ensure your dream home is truly ready for handover by identifying hidden structural risks and finishing flaws. Using advanced technology like thermal imaging, we detect defects before you make your final payment, ensuring total compliance with 2026 Australian building standards. Every inspection includes a high-authority same-day digital report, providing you the technical evidence needed to hold builders accountable and protect your long-term investment.
360° Property Handover Audit & Defect Checklist
- All
- The 360° Handover Checklist
PCI & Handover: Your Final Line of Defense
Your Last Line of Defense
The Practical Completion Inspection is your last line of defense before you take legal possession of your new home and release the final payment.
Eliminating Rushed Workmanship & Risks
At this high-stakes milestone, builders are often under pressure to finish quickly, which can lead to rushed workmanship, overlooked defects, and functional shortcuts.
Forensic-Level Technical Assessment
We step in as your independent authority, conducting a forensic-level assessment of every detail—from the quality of paint finishes and cabinetry alignment to the structural integrity of the roof space and moisture protection in wet areas.
Meeting Strict Australian Standards
Our mission is to ensure that your builder delivers exactly what you paid for, meeting both Australian Standards (AS 4349.1) and the high expectations you have for your dream home.
The “Straight Up” Peace of Mind
Don’t settle for a “standard” walkthrough; move in with the peace of mind that comes from a “Straight Up” final check.
Before You Get the Keys, Get the Facts.
This is the final look before handover, and it’s a big one. We go room-by-room, inch-by-inch, to make sure everything is complete, functional, and up to spec.
What we catch:

Poor workmanship

Incomplete finishes

Safety hazards
Don’t accept a handover with crossed fingers. We’ll help you make sure it’s right, before it’s yours.
PCI & Handover Inspection FAQs
Answers to some questions about Practical Completion (PCI) & Handover Inspections
A PCI is the final inspection of your new home before the builder hands over the keys and you make the final payment. It is critical because it is your last opportunity to identify defects, poor workmanship, or incomplete items. Without an independent expert, you risk inheriting costly repairs that the builder may no longer be responsible for after you move in.
Yes, but their focus is different. A building surveyor only checks for “Minimum Legal Standards” and safety compliance to issue an Occupancy Permit. They do not check for quality of finishes, paint defects, cabinetry alignment, or minor structural flaws. We provide an independent, quality-focused assessment that goes far beyond the legal minimum.
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You should book your inspection as soon as your builder notifies you that “Practical Completion” has been reached. Ideally, the inspection should take place 2–3 days before your official walkthrough with the builder. This allows us to provide you with a comprehensive report that you can hand directly to the site manager.
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We provide you with a detailed, high-resolution digital report (including photos and references to Australian Standards) usually within 24 hours. You present this “Snag List” to your builder. Under most standard building contracts, the builder is required to rectify these defects before the final handover and final payment.
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A thorough PCI usually takes between 2 to 4 hours depending on the size and complexity of the home. We take the time to check every tap, power point, window, and roof tile, ensuring no detail is missed. We don’t rush—we ensure the job is done “Straight Up.”
Absolutely. The cost of a professional inspection is a fraction of what you might pay to fix a single major defect, such as a waterproofing failure or a structural roof issue, later down the line. It provides financial protection, ensures builder accountability, and gives you the peace of mind that your biggest investment is sound.
Get in Touch with StraightUp
Have questions or are you ready to schedule an inspection? We’re here to help.






