Before You Take the Keys, Know Exactly What You're Getting
Your new home looks finished. Before you make the final payment, Inspect East Building Inspections checks what's underneath the finish — roof frame, fixtures, fittings and every surface — so nothing gets missed in the excitement of moving day.
- Inspected before final payment
- Roof frame to finishes, fully checked
- 24-hour photo report
200+ five-star Google reviews
Why Get One
Why Inspect Before You Get the Keys
It's often only after handover that faults, defects and shoddy workmanship come to light — usually because the excitement of moving in gets in the way of a close look. Once you're in, getting a builder back to fix niggling issues can be slow going, even with a guarantee in place.
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The excitement can hide real defects
Moving day nerves make it easy to miss a hairline crack, a sticking door or a switch that isn't wired right. Our inspectors have no emotional stake in the day — we're only looking for what's wrong.
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Getting the builder back afterwards is harder
Once the keys are yours, your defect list joins a queue behind every other job on the builder's books. A written pre-handover report, raised before settlement, tends to get fixed a lot faster.
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A paper trail protects your warranty
A dated, photographed inspection report gives you clear evidence of a defect's condition at handover — useful if a rectification later needs to be chased up or disputed.
What We Check
What We Check At Handover
Our inspectors have 30+ years in the building industry between them, so they know exactly where defects like to hide — and how a rushed touch-up job can mask one.
Roof Frame
Checked from inside the roof space and from ground level. We confirm tie-downs are secure, tiles and ridges are properly bedded, flashings and guttering are correctly fixed, and insulation is installed where it should be.
Lighting, Fixtures & Fittings
Every electrical point gets checked for safe, correct wiring and the right fuses and safety switches. We do the same for plumbing, then inspect kitchen, bathroom and laundry fittings for correct installation and any transport or install damage.
Woodwork & Decoration
Walls, flooring, skirting and joinery are checked closely for scratches, chips and marks picked up during the final stages of the build — including finishes that have been quickly touched up to hide a defect.
Our Process
Inspect East Pre-Handover Process
A straightforward, three-step process timed to give you leverage before the final payment leaves your account.
- 01
Book Before Your Final Payment
We schedule your pre-handover inspection for a date before you sign off and hand over the final payment — while you still have leverage to have defects fixed.
- 02
On-Site Inspection
On site, we work through the roof frame, all fixtures and fittings, and every internal surface, checking the build against the relevant Australian Standards and the builder's own contract inclusions.
- 03
Photographed Defect Report
You get a clear, plain-English report within 24 hours, with every defect backed by a high-resolution photo — ready to hand straight to your builder for rectification.
See What You Get
Get a Sample Pre-Handover Report
Every report lists each defect against a clear photo, so there's no argument about what needs fixing before settlement — just a straightforward list you can hand to your builder.
Our Other Services
In Addition to Pre-Handover Inspections
Whatever stage of the property journey you're at, Inspect East has an inspection to match.
Pre-Purchase Building Inspection
Buying an established home instead? Get the same photo-rich, AS 4349.1-compliant reporting before you commit.
Learn moreHouse Inspection
A comprehensive, registered inspection for any Melbourne home, backed by 30+ years on the tools.
Learn moreBuilding & Timber Pest Combined
One visit, two reports — the building inspection plus a full termite and timber pest check.
Learn moreWhere We Work
Pre-Handover Inspections Across Melbourne's East
We inspect new-build handovers across Melbourne's eastern and south-eastern suburbs, six days a week.
- Balwyn
- Balwyn North
- Blackburn
- Box Hill
- Bulleen
- Camberwell
- Canterbury
- Croydon
- Doncaster
- Doncaster East
- Donvale
- Eltham
- Forest Hill
- Glen Iris
- Glen Waverley
- Hawthorn
- Heathmont
- Kew
- Knoxfield
- Lilydale
- Mitcham
- Mont Albert
- Mooroolbark
- Mount Waverley
- Mulgrave
- Nunawading
- Ringwood
- Rowville
- Surrey Hills
- Templestowe
- Vermont
- Wantirna
- Warrandyte
- Wheelers Hill
- … and surrounds
FAQ
Common questions about pre-handover inspections.
Can’t see your question? Call us on (03) 8657 0007.
What is a pre-handover inspection?
Why not just wait and use the builder's warranty?
What if my builder has already done a final walkthrough with me?
How soon before handover should I book?
What do I get at the end of the inspection?
Book Your Inspection
Buy with confidence. Sleep at night.
Whether your auction is this weekend or your inspection clause expires Friday, Brett can usually be on-site within 24–48 hours and have your report in your inbox the next morning.
Request your free, fast quote
Reply within the hour, 7 days a week.