How Long From Practical Completion to Handover? | BSPI
How long from practical completion to handover? Learn what happens at Practical Completion, when to book your PCI and what can affect handover timing.
4/25/20264 min read
How Long From Practical Completion to Handover? A Guide for New Homeowners
If your new home is getting close to completion, one of the biggest questions you probably have is:
How long does it take to go from Practical Completion to handover and getting the keys?
Unfortunately, there isn't one set timeframe that applies to every new home build.
The time between Practical Completion and handover can depend on your builder's process, the number of outstanding defects or incomplete items, how quickly rectification work is completed, final paperwork and other requirements that need to be satisfied before handover.
In this guide, we'll explain what Practical Completion means, when to arrange your Practical Completion Inspection (PCI), what happens if defects are found and what you can generally expect on the way to handover.
What Is Practical Completion?
Practical Completion is the stage towards the end of your new home build when the building work has reached the point where the home is considered substantially complete and ready for the Practical Completion process.
While the house may look finished, that doesn't necessarily mean every item is perfect or that you'll receive the keys immediately.
There may still be defects, minor incomplete work, cleaning or other items that need to be addressed before handover.
This is also generally when homeowners arrange an independent Practical Completion Inspection, often referred to as a PCI.
What Is a Practical Completion Inspection?
A Practical Completion Inspection is an independent inspection of your completed new home before handover.
Unlike earlier stage inspections, where much of the focus is on work that will eventually be concealed, a PCI focuses on the completed home.
During a Practical Completion Inspection, your inspector will look for visible defects, incomplete work and workmanship issues throughout accessible areas of the property.
This can include areas such as:
Internal walls, ceilings and finishes
Doors and windows
Cabinetry and joinery
Tiling and wet areas
Plumbing fixtures and fittings
External finishes
Brickwork and render
Roof and gutter areas where safely accessible
General incomplete or damaged items
The findings are documented in an inspection report that you can provide to your builder for review.
When Should I Book My Practical Completion Inspection?
Your Practical Completion Inspection should be carried out when the home is genuinely nearing completion.
Ideally, the builder should have completed their own quality checks, major construction work should be finished and the home should be cleaned sufficiently for surfaces and finishes to be properly inspected.
If an inspection is carried out too early, unfinished work can make it difficult to properly assess the completed home.
As soon as your builder gives you an expected Practical Completion or PCI date, it's a good idea to contact your independent building inspector and check availability.
What Happens If Defects Are Found at Practical Completion?
Finding defects during a Practical Completion Inspection doesn't necessarily mean there is a major problem with the home.
New homes can have a range of items requiring attention before handover, from relatively minor finishing issues through to items that require further investigation or rectification.
Your independent inspector will document the items identified during the inspection.
The report can then be provided to your builder so the items can be reviewed and, where required, rectified.
Depending on the circumstances, your builder may also provide photographs or other confirmation once rectification work has been completed.
Some homeowners also choose to arrange a reinspection to check previously identified items before or after handover, depending on their builder's process and individual circumstances.
How Long From Practical Completion to Handover?
This is the question most homeowners want answered, but there is no universal number of days between Practical Completion and handover.
For some builds, the process can move relatively quickly. For others, it may take longer.
The timeframe can be affected by things such as:
The number and nature of defects or incomplete items identified
How quickly trades can return to complete rectification work
The builder's internal handover process
Final documentation and approvals
Outstanding payments or contractual requirements
Any other items that need to be completed before handover
Your building contract and builder's handover procedure are important, as these can set out the particular process that applies to your build.
For the most accurate indication of timing, ask your builder or site supervisor what needs to occur after Practical Completion and what their expected handover date is.
Does Everything Need to Be Fixed Before Handover?
Not necessarily.
Whether a particular item must be rectified before handover can depend on the nature of the defect, your building contract and the circumstances of the build.
This is why it's important to understand the difference between identifying defects during your PCI and assuming that every item automatically delays handover.
If you're unsure about your contractual rights or whether an outstanding item should prevent handover, you may need to seek appropriate advice regarding your building contract.
Practical Completion vs Handover – What's the Difference?
These terms are often used together, but they aren't necessarily the same event.
Practical Completion is the stage where the construction of the home has reached the point required for the Practical Completion process under your build.
Handover is when the builder formally hands the property over to you and, subject to the required process being completed, you receive the keys.
Your Practical Completion Inspection generally happens before handover so that visible defects and incomplete work can be documented while the home is nearing completion.
What Should I Do When My Builder Gives Me a Practical Completion Date?
Once you've been given a date, don't leave organising your independent inspection until the last minute.
Contact your building inspector as soon as possible and provide them with your latest construction plans and any other documents they require.
You should also confirm with your builder or site supervisor that the independent inspector will have access to the property on the agreed date.
If possible, ask your builder for their expected handover timeframe at the same time.
That way, you know both when your inspection will occur and when you're potentially getting the keys.
Do I Need an Independent Practical Completion Inspection?
An independent Practical Completion Inspection gives you another set of experienced eyes over the completed home before handover.
Building a new home is a significant investment, and homeowners may not know what to look for when walking through a newly completed property.
An independent inspection provides a documented record of visible defects, incomplete work and workmanship issues identified at the time of inspection.
Building a New Home in Brisbane?
BSPI Inspections provides independent Practical Completion Inspections for new home builds across Brisbane and surrounding service areas.
If your builder has given you a Practical Completion or handover timeframe, you can send us your latest construction plans and proposed inspection date for a quote and availability.
Need a Practical Completion Inspection? Contact BSPI Inspections for a quote.
