One of the most practical questions buyers ask before booking is how long the inspection actually takes — not because they need to schedule around it, but because the time on site is one of the most reliable indicators of inspection quality. Here's exactly what happens during a VG Inspect new home PCI and why the time matters.
How Long a Standard PCI Takes
A VG Inspect PCI on a standard single-storey three-bedroom new home takes 90 to 120 minutes on site. A larger home — double storey, four or more bedrooms, multiple living areas — takes two to three hours. An entry-level two-bedroom home takes 75 to 90 minutes.
The time is determined by the number of elements that need to be checked, not by any arbitrary schedule. Every wet area must be fully assessed. Every room must be walked through systematically. The roof space must be accessed and assessed. The full external perimeter must be checked. Every contract item must be verified.
An inspector who completes your PCI in 45 minutes has not done a thorough inspection. The arithmetic is simple — a standard home has two or three bathrooms, a laundry, a kitchen, a roof space, a full external perimeter, a driveway, a fence line, and every internal wall and ceiling surface. 45 minutes is not enough time to assess all of these elements properly.
The First 20 Minutes — External Perimeter
Every VG Inspect inspection begins outside. The full external perimeter of the property is walked before entering the home — assessing site drainage falls, external cladding, window and door frame sealing, gutters and downpipes, driveway and path control joints, fencing, landscaping, and any external contract items.
Starting outside allows the inspector to assess drainage and external compliance in natural light before moving inside where artificial lighting can mask surface defects.
Roof Space Access — 15 to 20 Minutes
Where a roof hatch is accessible, VG Inspect enters the roof space immediately after the external assessment. The roof space is checked for insulation installation, truss connection and lateral bracing, sarking, and any evidence of water ingress or pest entry.
Ready to book your inspection? A VG Inspect QBCC-licensed inspector attends every job.
Book an InspectionWet Areas — 8 to 15 Minutes Each
Each wet area receives individual systematic attention. For a standard shower: membrane height is measured on every wall, the floor waste sealing is assessed, the coved junction at floor-to-wall transitions is checked, tile condition and grout are assessed, silicone junctions are inspected, and the shower screen installation and sealing is verified.
A home with three bathrooms and a laundry has four wet areas — each requiring 8 to 15 minutes of specific attention. That's 32 to 60 minutes on wet areas alone.
Room-by-Room Interior — 45 to 60 Minutes
Working systematically through every room: internal wall and ceiling surfaces are assessed for plasterboard and paint defects, doors and windows are operated and checked for sealing, power points and light switches are tested, joinery and cabinetry is assessed, and floor surfaces are checked.
Final Contract Check — 10 to 15 Minutes
Every item specified in the building contract is verified — appliances, tapware, tile selections, fencing, landscaping, and any other contract-specific items.
Ready to book your inspection? A VG Inspect QBCC-licensed inspector attends every job.
Book an InspectionAfter the Inspection
VG Inspect delivers your report within 24 hours — for morning inspections, always the same evening. Stage inspections — slab, frame, waterproofing — take 45 to 90 minutes depending on stage and home size.
QBCC licence 1318443.
