Your builder has called. Your home is nearly ready, and handover is approximately two weeks away. This is the moment most homeowners who have built under a building contract have been waiting for. It is also the moment to act quickly on one of the most important steps in the entire building journey: booking an independent practical completion inspection before you accept handover.
| Practical Completion Inspection: At a Glance |
| • An independent inspection of your newly completed home, conducted before handover |
| • For homeowners who have built under a building contract, not buyers of a new home |
| • Builder typically notifies you approximately 2 weeks before the proposed handover date |
| • Builders work off a 10 business day rectification window from notification |
| • Any defects identified must be rectified by the builder at their own cost before handover |
| • All Bestwest Building inspectors are registered builders with hands-on construction knowledge |
| • Priced at $1,095–$1,495 for standard properties in our usual operating area |
| • Get an instant personalised quote at bestwestbuilding.com.au |
What Is a Practical Completion Inspection?
A practical completion inspection (PCI) is an independent assessment of a newly completed home at the end of the building contract, conducted before the homeowner accepts handover from the builder. It is carried out by an independent registered builder, not someone appointed or recommended by your builder.
The purpose of a PCI is to identify any defects, incomplete items, or non-compliant work before you take ownership. Once you accept handover, it can become much harder to force the builder to rectify issues. The PCI gives you a documented, professional record of the property’s condition at the point of handover, and the leverage to require the builder to address what needs fixing.
It is important to understand who this inspection is for. A practical completion inspection is for homeowners who signed a building contract and watched their home being built. It is not for buyers purchasing a newly built home from a developer. If you are buying a new home from a developer, a pre-purchase building inspection applies instead.
When Should You Book a Practical Completion Inspection?
As soon as the builder notifies you of near-completion. The builder’s call typically comes approximately two weeks before the proposed handover date. From that point, builders in WA work off a 10 business day rectification window. That window is the key reason timing matters.
Here is how the sequence typically works:
- Builder notifies you of near-completion, approximately 2 weeks before the proposed handover date
- You book your practical completion inspection promptly
- Bestwest Building conducts the inspection and delivers a same-day digital report with full-resolution photographs
- You present the report to your builder, who is required to rectify any significant defects within the rectification window
- Once defects are addressed, handover proceeds
Do not wait. The 10 business day window moves quickly, and any delay in booking your inspection reduces the time available for the builder to rectify defects before handover day.
What Does a Practical Completion Inspection Cover?
A practical completion inspection is one of the most thorough inspections Bestwest Building conducts. It covers the entire completed home, inside and out, including all visible and accessible building elements. The table below outlines the key areas assessed:
| Area | What Is Checked |
| Roof and exterior | Roof covering, ridge, hips, valleys, flashings, gutters, and downpipes. External walls, brickwork, render, cladding, and pointing. Windows and doors: frames, seals, and operation. |
| Structure | Load-bearing elements where visible. Roof frame including rafters, bracing, and tie-down systems. Signs of movement, cracking, or deflection. |
| Roof space | Insulation installation throughout roof void. Thermal imaging available to detect heat variation and concealed defects. Extractor fan and rangehood ducting. Any structural concerns. |
| Subfloor (if applicable) | Stumps, bearers, and joists. Moisture, ventilation, and drainage. |
| Wet areas | Bathrooms, ensuite, and laundry: tiling, non-compliant tiling and shower recesses, fixtures, and fit-off. |
| Internal | Internal walls, ceilings, and floors. Doors and windows: operation and condition. Staircase and balustrades where present. |
| Fixtures and fit-off items | All fixtures and fittings (lights, taps, sinks, etc). |
| Site and drainage | Stormwater management that flows correctly. Driveway, paths, and paving condition. |
Any significant defects identified should be addressed by the builder before handover. Some minor defects can be left until later in the building journey.
What If I Haven’t Had Construction Progress Inspections?
Many homeowners reach the practical completion stage without having booked any construction progress inspections during the build. This is common, and it does not reduce the value of a PCI. If anything, it makes the PCI even more important, as it is the only independent assessment of the home’s condition before you take ownership.
What a PCI cannot do is identify defects that have been concealed by completed construction. Issues with the slab or the waterproofing that were not inspected during the build cannot be assessed visually at practical completion. The roof frame, however, remains accessible and will be inspected. This is the reason construction progress inspections add value that a PCI alone cannot replicate. But if the build is already complete, a comprehensive PCI from Bestwest Building’s registered builders is your best and only opportunity before handover.
What Happens If the Builder Won’t Fix Defects?
Any defects identified in the practical completion inspection are the builder’s responsibility to rectify at their own cost before handover. If the builder refuses to rectify defects even when presented with the relevant information from an independent inspection report, you can contact the building regulator and lodge a formal complaint.
Having a report from a qualified independent registered builder is essential in this situation. A verbal concern or personal observation carries very little weight. A documented report from a registered builder gives you a professional, evidence-based record that is difficult to dismiss.
How Much Does a Practical Completion Inspection Cost in Perth?
A practical completion inspection at Bestwest Building is priced at $1,095–$1,495 for standard properties in our usual operating area. Price varies depending on the size, location, and complexity of the property.
The PCI is priced higher than a pre-purchase inspection because it is a more comprehensive assessment of a complete new home, covering all fit-off items, fixtures, and building elements inside and out. It is not the same scope as a pre-purchase inspection and the investment reflects that.
Get an instant personalised quote at bestwestbuilding.com.au.
Builder notified you? Don’t wait.
Get a free instant quote at bestwestbuilding.com.au or call us on (08) 9444 9562.
Frequently Asked Questions About Practical Completion Inspections in Perth
What is a practical completion inspection in WA?
A practical completion inspection is an independent assessment of a newly completed home at the end of the building contract, conducted before the homeowner accepts handover from the builder. It is for homeowners who have built under a building contract, not buyers of a new home from a developer. The inspection identifies defects, incomplete items, and non-compliant work that the builder is required to rectify before handover.
When should I book a practical completion inspection?
As soon as the builder notifies you of near-completion, which is typically approximately two weeks before the proposed handover date. Builders in WA work off a 10 business day rectification window from that point. Booking promptly gives you the maximum time to have defects identified and rectified before handover day.
Do I need a practical completion inspection if I trust my builder?
Yes. A practical completion inspection is not a reflection of distrust. It is an independent professional assessment of a complex construction project involving multiple trades over many months. Even the best builders produce homes with defects at practical completion. The inspection gives you documented evidence of the property’s condition at handover and ensures anything requiring rectification is addressed at the builder’s cost, not yours.
What is the difference between a practical completion inspection and a pre-purchase building inspection?
A practical completion inspection is for homeowners approaching handover at the end of a building contract. A pre-purchase building inspection is for buyers purchasing an established property, usually carried out after the contract is signed but before settlement. They are different inspection types for different situations, with different scopes and pricing.
How much does a practical completion inspection cost in Perth?
A practical completion inspection at Bestwest Building is priced at $1,095–$1,495 for standard properties in our usual operating area. Price varies depending on the size, location, and complexity of the property. Get an instant personalised quote at bestwestbuilding.com.au.
What if my builder says I don’t need an independent inspection?
All homeowners building under a contract in WA are entitled to an independent inspection before accepting handover. Your builder’s own quality control process is not a substitute for an independent assessment. An independent registered builder has no relationship with your builder and no reason to overlook anything. If the builder refuses to allow an independent inspection, contact the building regulator.
