A new home inspection on the Gold Coast records visible workmanship concerns before handover. GoInspect inspects houses, townhouses and apartments, and provides separately scoped programmes for builders and developers. The right booking depends on the dwelling, access and areas you want assessed.
House handover or apartment pre-settlement?
For a new house, coordinate access when the builder advises the property is ready for inspection. For an apartment, obtain the developer’s inspection appointment and access requirements. Tell us about any time limits before confirming the booking so the agreed scope can be planned.
The terms practical completion, pre-handover and pre-settlement are sometimes used differently. Confirm the work to be inspected and the contract milestone involved rather than assuming the label determines the service.
Arrange apartment and high-rise access early
Provide the unit number, building address, site or building-management contact and instructions for entry. Advise us about any requirements for lifts, parking, keys or an accompanying representative. Confirm which balconies, storage areas or car spaces form part of the agreed inspection.
An individual apartment booking does not automatically cover all common areas or shared infrastructure. Multi-unit inspections, common property and external works require a project-specific scope.
What the inspection can check
The handover inspection assesses visible and safely accessible work within the agreed scope. Relevant items include paint and plaster finishes, doors and windows, cabinetry, tiling, flooring, wet-area finishes and accessible external work. Reported concerns are documented with photographs and locations, with responsible trades identified where applicable.
Finished linings and tiles conceal framing, services and waterproofing membranes. A visual inspection cannot verify those hidden elements or certify every system. Appliances are not tested. External roof inspection, specialist testing and engineering assessment require separately confirmed services.
What about balconies, drainage and coastal exposure?
Relevant visible concerns can be assessed where they are safely accessible and included in the scope. A coastal location does not prove a defect or predict how a particular building will perform. Concealed waterproofing, structural adequacy, specialist façade testing and system commissioning require appropriate additional assessment.
External roof inspection is a separately confirmed service. Do not assume a standard handover visit includes access to every roof surface or concealed space.
Use your report with the builder
Standard residential reports are generally issued the same day; confirm timing when booking. Read the findings, discuss them with your builder and keep a written record of the response and agreed work. A return visit to check rectification is optional and separately priced.
A photographic report supports that conversation. It does not guarantee a particular dispute outcome or automatically determine whether payment can be withheld. Practical completion can include minor outstanding items; check your contract if completion or payment is disputed.
Buying from interstate?
You can review a photographic report remotely. Nominate your contact and confirm builder access before the visit. Discuss the reported items and rectification arrangements with the builder; a clear record helps everyone locate the work needing attention.
Get your inspection price
Use our online quote form to select the property, floor area, region and services. Review the total, including GST and applicable options or travel charges. For a multi-unit development or common property, request a project quote.
See our handover inspection guide and sample report for the full service details, or contact us about access and specialist concerns.