House Handover with Builders - Ensuring a Smooth Transition Before Moving In
Ensure your clients’ expectations are met with an expert home inspection before handing over the keys. A house reaches practical completion once all the building work is done and is deemed reasonably fit for habitation.
Forming a legal society is critical for owners to reap unlimited benefits. It’s also crucial that the builder and residents association complete the required paperwork on time.
Schedule a Walkthrough
Once your house is nearing completion, a walkthrough inspection will be organized by the builder. This is a great opportunity to make sure everything is finished as agreed in your purchase contract.
During the walkthrough, you can ask your builder representative any questions you may have. It is also the time to point out any defects you find (such as paint issues or drywall damage) and ask the builder to rectify them. Often, the builder will either mark the issue with blue painter’s tape or add it to a list called a punch list and get someone in to fix it.
If there are any outstanding items at the walkthrough, a good builder will make a note of them and agree to have them completed before you move in. They will then coordinate the resolution of these items with you in a similar way that they would handle a warranty request. A good builder will value their reputation and do everything they can to keep their customers happy. It is a great way to generate future business from satisfied clients that can’t stop recommending them to their friends and family.
Inspect with a Licensed House Inspector
After your house build is nearing completion, you should get a licensed home inspector to perform a handover inspection and issue you with a comprehensive report. An independent building consultant is highly adept at spotting potential construction faults that may be overlooked by builders, which can ultimately affect the quality of your new home. They will inspect and test structural elements, electrical and plumbing installations, heating/cooling systems, flooring surfaces, paint, windows and doors, and the exterior of your property for defects and contract compliance.
A good inspector will be able to communicate their observations in simple terms clearly. This helps the homeowner to understand their findings and allows them to ask any questions they might have. Additionally, the finest inspectors are punctual and prompt in responding to calls, emails, or messages. They don’t believe in keeping their clients waiting, as doing so can be a frustrating experience.
Communicate with Builders on Defects and a Resolution Process
During the construction phase, it is very common for homeowners to be involved in a dispute with their builder over alleged defects. This can be frustrating and expensive, but it is important to communicate effectively with your builders to avoid any disputes or delays.
It is recommended to have a handover inspection report prepared by a licensed inspector, prior to your move-in date. This report should be provided to the builder, who should then address all faulty workmanship or omissions. In the event that you do not feel your builder is addressing issues adequately, we recommend seeking legal advice from a solicitor well before the due date for occupancy, as this can save you time and money in the long run.
A home reaches practical completion once it has been constructed to the point where it is suitable for occupation, and this can be determined by having stage inspections, a final building handover inspection, and a follow-up inspection within 12 months for warranty items and within 6 years for structural problems. By following these simple steps, you can ensure a smooth transition before booking removalists and moving into your dream home.
Compliance Documents
At this stage, the builder is expected to provide you with all documents required for compliance with the regulations set by your city. This includes occupancy permits and utility connections (water, electricity, gas, etc.).
In case you are moving into a community building, the builder should also hand over to the owner corporation in charge. The Managing committee should conduct a thorough physical inspection to ensure that all of these items are present and working properly.
As the Managing committee deals with multiple government agencies and third parties regarding services, taxes, and operations, the paperwork can sometimes be long and exhausting. It’s imperative that the Managing committee stays vigilant and ready to review all legal papers at the moment of transfer. This way, they will not miss any important document that could come back to haunt them in the future. This includes legal documents such as transfer and sales deeds, CC deeds, zero-dues certificates/guarantees, and legally enforceable contracts with all vendors/maintenance companies.
Follow Up Dates Post Handover
Most builds will have a 3-month post-build follow-up on defects, as problems may not occur until you move into it and start living in it. Find a reliable furniture mover that can work with you and the tradesman that is still going in and out of your house. At the 3-month mark, it’s time to schedule a building defects inspection so that the builder can attend to whatever needs fixing. While it may seem like a nuisance, it’s one of the final opportunities to make sure your new home is free of defects and that it was built according to your specifications.
As a homeowner, it’s crucial that you attend this inspection with your own professional inspector to identify issues that the builder may have missed. The inspector will check everything from the plumbing to electrical and will look for cracks in walls and floors, stains on carpets, loose doors, and windows.
If there are any items that need to be fixed, a timeline for their repair should be included in the report. This will help you avoid any surprises later on, as well as ensure that the builder fixes these issues in a timely manner.
