If you're building a new home in Queensland, you've probably heard the term PCI inspection. But what exactly is it, when do you need one, and is it worth paying for?
Here's everything you need to know before your builder calls you in for handover.
What does PCI stand for?
PCI stands for Practical Completion Inspection. It's also called a handover inspection or pre-handover inspection. All three terms refer to the same thing: an independent assessment of your new home carried out before you accept the keys from your builder.
"Practical completion" is a legal term in your building contract. It means your builder has declared the home is finished and is ready for you to take ownership. The PCI is your opportunity to verify that claim independently — before you make your final payment.
What does a PCI inspection cover?
A thorough PCI inspection covers every accessible part of your completed home, including:
Structure and frame - Slab level and edge beam dimensions - Structural frame compliance — timber sizing, bracing, tie-downs and truss connections - Roof structure and fixing for local wind classification
External - Roof covering, gutters, flashings, valley gutters and ridge capping - External cladding, render, brick veneer cavity and window seals - Driveways, paths, site drainage and fencing
Internal - Walls, ceilings, cornice, floor coverings and door operation - Wet area waterproofing — showers, baths and laundries - Tiling, grout lines and silicone junctions - Kitchen and bathroom joinery, cabinetry, fixtures and fittings - Electrical GPOs, switches and lighting circuits - Plumbing fixtures and hot water systems
Compliance - Compliance with your approved plans - Compliance with QBCC Standards and Tolerances guide - Items listed in your contract specification
How many defects does a typical PCI find?
More than most new home buyers expect. On average, VG Inspect identifies between 15 and 30 defects per new home — including items the builder's own site supervisor missed or didn't flag.
Common defects we find at PCI include: - Non-compliant wet area waterproofing (the most common and most costly to fix post-handover) - Incomplete or missing items from the contract specification - Roof fixing deficiencies for wind classification - Gaps and poor sealing at window and door frames - Paintwork, plasterboard and cornice defects - Missing termite barrier sections
None of these are rare. They appear on new homes built by every major volume builder operating in South East Queensland.
Ready to book your inspection? A VG Inspect QBCC-licensed inspector attends every job.
Book an InspectionWhy does this matter? The builder is responsible — before handover
Under Queensland law, your builder is responsible for fixing defects identified before practical completion. Once you accept the keys and make your final payment, that leverage changes significantly.
Structural defects have a 6-year and 3-month warranty under the QBCC Home Warranty Insurance Scheme. Non-structural defects have only 12 months. By the time you notice something wrong, it may already be outside the non-structural warranty window.
A PCI inspection gives you a written, photo-supported report that your builder is legally required to respond to before handover. That is a fundamentally different position to discovering defects six months after moving in.
When should I book a PCI inspection in Queensland?
Book as soon as your builder notifies you of practical completion — typically via a formal letter or email.
Your builder will set a handover date. You usually have 5–10 business days to respond to the practical completion notice. Book your PCI inspection within the first 1–2 days of receiving that notice so you have time to review the report and issue a defects list before your handover date.
Do not wait until the day before handover. If defects are found, your builder needs time to fix them — or you need time to negotiate a rectification schedule before signing off.
Can I do my own PCI inspection?
Technically yes, but it's rarely effective. New home defects are often invisible to untrained eyes. Waterproofing deficiencies, structural frame issues and wind classification non-compliance require technical knowledge and experience to identify. Most buyers who do their own walkthrough focus on cosmetic finishes and miss the issues that cost the most to fix.
Your builder employs qualified site supervisors and certifiers. Having your own independent, QBCC-licensed inspector levels the playing field.
Ready to book your inspection? A VG Inspect QBCC-licensed inspector attends every job.
Book an InspectionWhat does a PCI inspection cost in Queensland?
PCI inspections in South East Queensland typically range from $550 to $850 depending on the inspector, the size of the home and the region.
VG Inspect charges from $660 for a PCI inspection across all South East Queensland suburbs, including a detailed PDF report with photos delivered within 24 hours.
Who can legally carry out a PCI inspection in Queensland?
In Queensland, building inspectors must hold a QBCC licence to legally inspect and report on residential construction. Always verify your inspector's QBCC licence number before booking — you can check at the QBCC licence search on the QBCC website.
VG Inspect holds QBCC licence 1318443. Every VG Inspect inspection is carried out by a QBCC-licensed inspector — no subcontractors.
Book a PCI inspection in South East Queensland
VG Inspect covers all of South East Queensland — Brisbane, [Ipswich](/[ipswich](/ipswich)), Logan, Moreton Bay, Redlands and [Caboolture](/[caboolture](/caboolture)).
Same-week availability · From $660 · PDF report within 24 hours · 5.0 ★ on Google
[Book your PCI inspection →](https://vginspect.com/book)
— Adam Gates, QBCC Lic. 1318443
Ready to book your inspection? A VG Inspect QBCC-licensed inspector attends every job.
Book an Inspection