Bring the latest agreed documents. Compare selected colours, fixtures, finishes and inclusions with what has been supplied. Record differences as questions until checked against the contract.

Arrange access with the builder. Ask for cleaning, lighting and safe access to completed areas. Mark inaccessible or unfinished checks as not checked, rather than assuming they are satisfactory.

Charge your phone. For each concern, take a wider location photo and a close-up. Keep any photos separately on your phone. This checklist cannot take or attach photos.

Ask the supervisor to demonstrate appliances, garage doors, hot water and other installed systems. Do not operate incomplete or unfamiliar equipment yourself.

Coordinate an independent inspection while the work is substantially finished and before your builder walkthrough where possible. Allow time to read and discuss the findings.

Look in normal daylight and normal room lighting for missed paint, damage, patching, cracking or unfinished surfaces. Photograph what you see; appearance tolerances depend on the surface and viewing conditions.

Look for unfinished joints, damaged edges, paint contamination and obvious gaps. Note the exact wall and whether the issue repeats elsewhere.

Look for chips, scratches, lifted edges, unfinished trims and obvious changes in level. Walk normally in safe areas; do not lift flooring or attempt destructive testing.

With permission, gently open and close completed doors. Note rubbing, latches that do not engage, loose handles, missing stops or visible damage. Do not force a stiff door.

From floor level, inspect accessible glass and frames for damage and check normal operation where permitted. Record stiff movement, damaged seals or incomplete finishes. Do not lean out or alter window restrictors.

From safe standing positions, look for missing parts, damage and unfinished edges. Do not shake, climb or load-test barriers. Have safety or dimensional concerns assessed professionally.

Repeat the general finish checks in this room. Look behind an open door and along visible edges. Note the wall or corner so the builder can find the concern.

Gently check permitted normal operation. Record rubbing, poor latching, damaged glass or missing hardware without forcing or dismantling anything.

Open completed doors normally. Look for rubbing, damaged mirror edges and unfinished tracks. Do not remove doors or test their load capacity.

Compare the visible shelves, hanging rails and fittings with your selections. Record missing parts or visibly loose fixings; do not hang from or load-test them.

Visually compare visible outlets, lights, vents and controls with the agreed plans. Ask for a demonstration. Outlet testing and electrical safety verification belong to a licensed electrician.

Operate normally with permission. Look for damaged edges, rubbing, misalignment and missing handles. Check visible internal surfaces without removing drawers or panels.

Look for chips, scratches, unfinished edges and visible gaps at junctions. Record the location rather than assuming every joint requires the same sealant or treatment.

Ask for a normal-use demonstration. Look for drips, water staining or moisture at visible connections. Do not crawl into confined spaces, disconnect pipes or touch hot water.

Confirm the agreed models are present. Ask the builder to demonstrate operation and explain extraction arrangements. A running fan does not prove adequate ducting or airflow.

Check specified shelves, bins, kickboards and accessible trims are present and finished. Look for debris, exposed sharp edges or unfinished penetrations.

Look for obvious gaps, damage or unfinished seals around the sink and adjoining finishes. Surface appearance cannot confirm concealed waterproofing or installation compliance.

Look for chipped tiles, missing grout, obvious unevenness, incomplete edges and staining. Record each location separately, even when the same issue occurs more than once.

Look for obvious breaks, incomplete seals and damaged sealant at visible wet-area junctions. Do not probe or remove seals. An intact surface does not establish waterproofing compliance.

Look for damage and incomplete fixings. Ask for a normal-use demonstration of the screen. Do not force doors, lean on screens or load-test towel rails.

Ask the builder to demonstrate completed fixtures. Observe visible drips, staining, unusual movement or incomplete work. Keep clear of hot water and do not dismantle anything.

Record any water already ponding during ordinary use, visible blocked wastes or odours. Do not flood-test rooms, plug wastes or perform hose tests. Drainage falls and waterproofing need professional assessment.

Ask for a demonstration of installed exhaust fans. Check visible grilles, door hardware and specified privacy fittings. Noise alone does not establish that exhaust air reaches outside.

Ask for a normal-use demonstration and look for accessible drips or moisture. Check visible finishes and damage without moving equipment or disconnecting services.

Look for damaged tiles, incomplete grout and obvious gaps in visible finished junctions. Record concerns without treating the surface check as waterproofing certification.

Compare the cabinetry, benchtop and visible appliance spaces with your plans. Look for unfinished edges or missing fittings. Do not connect appliances or test services yourself.

Check normal permitted door operation and visible flooring edges. Note rubbing doors, unfinished trims or damage, especially at the garage connection.

Confirm agreed ventilation provisions and fittings are visible and finished. Ask the builder to explain dryer venting and any maintenance requirements.

Visually note missing covers, damaged fittings or positions that differ from plans. Do not touch exposed wiring, open switchboards, remove covers or use electrical test tools. Ask a licensed electrician to assess concerns.

Note visible alarms and request the installer’s demonstration and relevant documentation. Do not climb to reach them or assume that their appearance proves correct location, interconnection or compliance.

Ask the builder to demonstrate normal controls and explain operation. Look for visible damage or moisture. Performance, refrigerant work and concealed ducting need specialist assessment.

Ask for a demonstration and instructions. Note visible moisture or damage from a safe position. Do not operate relief valves, adjust temperature controls or interfere with gas equipment.

If you see exposed wiring, a missing barrier, unstable work or another apparent danger, stop that check, keep clear and notify the supervisor. Do not attempt a repair or use this list to decide the area is safe.

Ask the builder to demonstrate the completed door and its safety features with everyone clear. Do not place objects or body parts in its path, test springs or adjust tension.

From a safe standing position, look for obvious damage, unfinished edges or visible gaps. Weather protection depends on the door design and site; do not infer compliance from a visual gap alone.

Look for visible cracking, damage, unfinished edges or trip hazards. Record observations and the location. Do not assume a visible crack establishes structural failure.

From safely accessible areas, check visible flooring, grout, screens and completed fixtures. Do not climb barriers or test loads. Record visible ponding without undertaking a hose test.

Note missing components, damage or obviously unfinished work. Barrier heights, openings, fixings and structural adequacy require appropriate professional assessment.

Look for visible damage, incomplete joints, missing mortar and unfinished penetrations. Note the elevation and a nearby feature for each concern.

Observe only from ground level. Note obvious damage, disconnected downpipes or incomplete work. Never climb onto the roof or use ladders; hidden roof and flashing details need a separately agreed inspection scope.

Look for visible gaps, damage and unfinished junctions. Ask about any signs of water entry. Do not hose windows or remove flashings to investigate.

Look for damage, incomplete edges and obvious trip hazards. Record concerns with photos. Surface appearance alone does not establish acceptable falls, slip resistance or structural performance.

Note visible ponding, blocked grates or soil/debris against the home. Photograph the conditions and ask the builder to explain drainage. Do not dig, flood the site or obstruct outlets.

Compare completed work with the agreed scope. Operate permitted gates normally and note missing or damaged components. Pool barriers require specialist verification; do not use this list as a pool safety assessment.

Give each concern a clear location and description. Review the list with the builder, record agreement or disagreement accurately and keep a dated copy.

Ask who will address each item and the proposed date. Keep access arrangements and follow-up correspondence in writing. This checklist does not determine whether practical completion has legally occurred.

Ask the builder or building certifier which final inspection, occupancy and trade documents apply to your building and obtain copies. A builder’s practical completion document is different from regulatory certification.

Collect appliance manuals, product warranties, care instructions and relevant service records. Ask about sealant, drainage, termite-management and equipment maintenance without disturbing installations.

Confirm the agreed keys, remotes and access devices are supplied and explained. Do not record alarm codes, passwords or other sensitive access details in this checklist.

Retain your photos and list, and revisit the agreed rectification items. Report later concerns promptly. Contract, complaint and insurance time limits differ; seek current QBCC guidance or advice rather than assuming a single deadline.