Practical Completion Inspection Perth – Engineer-Led PCI
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What Is a Practical Completion Inspection?
A Practical Completion Inspection (PCI) is an independent assessment of a newly built home carried out around the time your builder considers construction practically complete.
It is also commonly referred to as a handover inspection, pre-handover inspection or new home inspection.
During a PCI building inspection, accessible completed areas are assessed for visible defects, incomplete items and workmanship concerns within the agreed inspection scope.
This may include internal finishes, doors and windows, fixtures, wet areas, cabinetry, accessible services, external finishes and other completed building elements.
A PCI takes place near the end of construction and is different from inspections performed while your home is still being built. If construction is underway, learn more about our Construction Stage Inspections Perth.
A PCI gives you a clear record of visible defects and incomplete work at one of the most important stages of your new-home build.
Clear photographic reporting with significant findings explained in straightforward language.
An independent inspection focused on documenting the condition of accessible completed work.
Your PCI is backed by civil engineering and residential construction knowledge.
- Book an Appointment
OUR APPROACH
Why an Independent PCI Inspector Matters
Your builder may carry out their own quality checks before handover. An independent PCI inspection in Perth provides a separate assessment focused on documenting the condition of the property for you.
StructSure takes a systematic approach rather than simply looking for obvious cosmetic imperfections.
Our engineer assesses accessible areas of the completed home and documents significant defects, incomplete work and workmanship concerns with photographs and clear explanations.
This gives you an organised record that can be reviewed and discussed with your builder.
6 Common Issues a PCI May Identify
- Wet-area and sealing concerns
- Visible cracking
- Incomplete building work
- Paintwork and finish defects
- Drainage and site-work concerns
- Roof and gutter issues where accessible
PCI CHECKLIST
Practical Completion Inspection Checklist – What Gets Checked
- Walls: visible cracking, paintwork and finish
- Ceilings: cracking, cornices and finish
- Access hatches
- Floor finishes
- Tiles: grout, alignment, chips and visible defects
- Timber and other flooring finishes
- Carpet installation
- Skirting boards and architraves
- Doors: alignment, operation and hardware
- Windows: operation, seals, locks and visible damage
- Built-in wardrobes
- Cabinetry: alignment, operation and finish
- Staircases and accessible balustrades where applicable
- Tiling workmanship
- Grout and sealant
- Tile alignment, cuts and chips
- Basins and vanities
- Toilets and cisterns
- Showers and baths
- Taps and mixers
- Shower screens
- Visible sealing around relevant fixtures
- Kitchen sink and taps
- Wet-area cabinetry
- Dishwasher provision where applicable
- Visible moisture-related concerns
- Relevant drainage observations
- Accessible switches and power points
- Light switches and installed fittings
- Visible switchboard observations
- Accessible plumbing fixtures
- Hot and cold water operation at relevant fixtures
- Taps and mixers
- Toilet operation
- Visible leaks around accessible fixtures
- Water-flow observations
- Other accessible service-related concerns within scope
- External wall finishes
- Visible cracking
- Render and paintwork
- Eaves
- Roof covering where safely accessible
- Visible roof finishing details
- Flashings where accessible
- Gutters
- Downpipes
- External doors and windows
- Garage door operation
- Visible drainage and site-work conditions
- Other accessible external workmanship concerns
Property assessments supported by civil engineering and residential construction experience.
Easy-to-understand reports with photographs documenting significant inspection findings.
Clear PCI package options with final pricing and inclusions confirmed before booking.
Independent new-home and handover inspections provided across the Perth metropolitan area.
How it works
Your Practical Completion Inspection – How It Works
Contact us as soon as your builder gives you a handover date. One to two weeks notice is ideal — but we work with tight timelines when needed.
Our civil engineer inspects the full property — every room, every trade, every item in your contract scope. You receive a detailed photo report within 24 hours.
Use the report to require defect rectification before signing the practical completion certificate. Your builder cannot legally pressure you to sign off on a home with major outstanding defects.
Choose The Right PCI Inspection Package
All prices confirmed at booking. No travel fees within Perth metro. All packages include a post-report call from the engineer.
Standard PCI Inspection
- ✓ Full interior room-by-room assessment
- ✓ Exterior, roof, and site works
- ✓ Fixtures, fittings, and paintwork
- ✓ Detailed photo report within 24 hours
- ✓ Post-report engineer call
- ✓ AS4349.1 compliant
Standard single-storey new builds with no specific concerns.
Premium PCI Inspection
- ✓ Everything in Standard PCI
- ✓ Contract scope review — every item cross-checked
- ✓ Thermal imaging — hidden moisture in wet areas
- ✓ Priority same-day report within 12 hours
- ✓ Waterproofing membrane assessment
- ✓ Post-report engineer call
Any new home build — this is the inspection we recommend when final payment is on the line.
Why Many Clients Choose Premium
Your new home likely cost between $350,000 and $700,000 to build. The difference between a $799 Standard Inspection and a $999 Premium Inspection is thermal imaging and contract scope review — two things that have identified tens of thousands of dollars worth of defects that a visual inspection alone would have missed. It is not an upsell. It is a different depth of inspection.
Why StructSure PCI Inspections Go Further
| Comparison Point | StructSure | Typical Perth PCI Inspector |
|---|---|---|
| Inspector Qualification | ✓ Civil Engineer — MIEAust | Trade licence / general inspector |
| Contract Scope Review | ✓ Included — Premium | Rarely offered |
| Thermal Imaging | ✓ Available — Premium | Not standard |
| WA Legal Knowledge | ✓ Home Building Contracts Act 1991 | Not always addressed |
| Report Turnaround | ✓ 24hrs standard / same day premium | Varies — often 24–48hrs |
| Post-Report Support | ✓ Personal engineer call every job | Report only |
| Independence | ✓ No builder relationships | Varies |
| AS4349.1 Compliant | ✓ Yes | Not always verified |
StructSure inspections are completed by qualified engineers using a deeper assessment process designed to identify workmanship defects, compliance issues and hidden risks before handover.
Book an Appointment
Book Your PCI Inspection With StructSure
Property Investor
“StructSure provided a highly detailed inspection report with clear explanations and fast turnaround times. Their professional approach and honest recommendations gave us confidence throughout the property buying process.”
Common Questions
Frequently Ask Questions
What is a PCI inspection in Perth?
A PCI, or Practical Completion Inspection, is an independent assessment of a newly built home carried out around the practical completion and handover stage.
It assesses accessible completed work for visible defects, incomplete items and workmanship concerns within the agreed inspection scope.
How much does a Practical Completion Inspection cost in Perth?
StructSure’s Standard PCI starts from $799, while the Premium PCI starts from $999.
The Premium package includes additional features such as contract-scope review where agreed and thermal imaging where appropriate. Final pricing and inclusions are confirmed when booking.
When should I book a PCI inspection?
Contact StructSure when your builder provides an expected practical completion or handover timeframe.
Booking in advance helps provide sufficient time to coordinate access and arrange the inspection at the appropriate stage.
Can I arrange an independent PCI before handover?
Independent inspection access can depend on your building contract, builder procedures and site requirements.
Discuss access with your builder as early as possible. For questions about contractual rights or obligations, obtain appropriate contractual or legal advice.
What is included in a PCI inspection checklist in WA?
Depending on the property and selected package, a PCI can assess accessible walls, ceilings, flooring, doors, windows, cabinetry, wet areas, fixtures, plumbing-related observations, external finishes, roof elements where safely accessible, gutters, downpipes and other completed work within scope.
Does my builder have to fix everything in the PCI report?
Whether an item requires rectification can depend on the building contract, applicable requirements and nature of the finding.
Your StructSure report documents inspection observations so they can be discussed with the builder. Contractual disputes or questions about legal obligations should be referred to an appropriately qualified adviser.
What is the difference between a PCI and a stage inspection?
A construction stage inspection occurs while the home is being built, when important construction elements remain exposed.
A PCI occurs around practical completion and primarily assesses accessible finished work.
If your build is still underway, see our Construction Stage Inspections Perth.
Is a new home inspection the same as a PCI?
The terms are sometimes used interchangeably. However, “new home inspection” can describe different inspection stages, while a Practical Completion Inspection specifically focuses on the home around practical completion and handover.
What does PCI mean in building?
PCI stands for Practical Completion Inspection. It is an inspection carried out around the practical completion or handover stage of a new home to assess accessible completed work for visible defects, incomplete items and workmanship concerns.