Handover is the one moment where the balance of responsibility shifts. Before you sign, defects in the property belong to the developer. After you sign, proving that a fault existed at handover rather than appearing afterwards becomes your problem, and it is a considerably harder argument to win.
A new handover inspection is carried out in that window. We inspect the unit in full, record every defect with a photograph and a location reference, grade each one by severity, and send you the report the same day — in time to be useful rather than in time to be filed.
What happens on the day
The inspection takes two to four hours for an apartment and longer for a villa or townhouse. You do not need to be present, though many owners choose to be. Utilities should be connected: without DEWA live we cannot test water pressure, drainage, electrical circuits or air conditioning, which removes a substantial part of the value.
What we find most often at handover
- Air-conditioning units failing to achieve the temperature differential they should
- Hollow tiling — sounds fine, cracks within the year
- Waterproofing missed at balcony and bathroom junctions
- Drainage falls running the wrong way on terraces and in wet areas
- Doors and joinery misaligned once the building has settled
- Electrical points with incorrect polarity or missing circuit protection
After the report
You send the report to your developer. They schedule rectification. When they say it is finished, you message us and we return to verify the work — the de-snag visit, included in your original fee rather than charged again. We check what was actually fixed against what was signed off as fixed.
What we check
Structure & finishes
Walls, ceilings, floors, skirting, paint, tile levels and hollow tiling.
Doors & joinery
Alignment, sealing, locks, handles, wardrobes and built-in cabinetry.
Plumbing
Water pressure, drainage, leaks, traps, heaters, bathroom and kitchen fittings.
Electrical
Sockets, switches, DB board, earthing, lighting circuits and outdoor points.
HVAC
Air flow, temperature differential, condensation, ducting and drainage lines.
Waterproofing
Bathrooms, roofs, terraces, balconies and external wall junctions.
External areas
Landscaping, irrigation, boundary walls, garage, driveway and drainage falls.
Thermal imaging
Hidden leaks, damp behind finishes, missing insulation and overheating electrical points a visual check cannot find.
Questions about this service
Can I book this after I have already signed?
You can, and it is still worth doing, but a defect liability period inspection is usually the better fit at that point. It targets what remains claimable under your one-year warranty.
Does the property need DEWA connected?
Yes. Without utilities we cannot test water pressure, drainage, electrical circuits or air conditioning, and those tests are where much of the value sits.
Do I need to be there?
No. We can collect keys and carry out the inspection without you present, then send the report the same day.
How far ahead should I book?
As soon as the developer gives you a handover date. Handover windows are often short and inspection slots in busy communities fill quickly.
Ready to book?
Message us with the property type, community and your date, and we will confirm availability and a fixed price the same day.