Handover, or practical completion, is when your builder says the home is finished and asks for the final payment. Before you pay, inspect the home carefully and give the builder a written list of any defects. After you move in, the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme covers defective work, but only if you notice it and claim within strict time limits.
This guide covers what to check, what to do about defects, and the deadlines that apply.
What practical completion means
Practical completion is the stage where the work is finished in line with the contract and plans, apart from minor defects or omissions that don't stop you using the home. Your building contract defines it and sets out how the builder notifies you. On a split house and land contract, this is usually when the final progress claim is due.
Read your contract's practical completion clause before the day, so you know how long you have to respond and what you can withhold.
The handover inspection
Allow a couple of hours, and go in daylight. Many buyers hire an independent building inspector for this stage, who can check the work against the plans and building standards and give you a written report.
Things to look at:
- Inside: paint finish, plasterboard joins, cracks, doors and windows that stick or don't lock, gaps in cabinetry, chipped benchtops, and tiles that are cracked, uneven or hollow-sounding
- Wet areas: water flow and drainage in showers, signs of leaks under sinks, and the silicone around baths and basins
- Services: every light, power point, tap, appliance, the hot water and the air conditioning
- Outside: roof and gutters, the driveway, fencing, downpipes connected to stormwater, and the ground falling away from the house
- The contract: every inclusion and variation you paid for, actually installed
Write everything down and photograph it. Give the builder a dated, written defects list, keep a copy, and ask for a date when each item will be fixed.
After you move in: your warranty
Licensed contractors must take out Queensland Home Warranty Scheme cover for residential construction work, on the owner's behalf. The QBCC runs it. It can help if the builder won't or can't fix defective or incomplete work.
The QBCC's time limits are:
| Type of problem | You must first notice it | You must claim |
|---|---|---|
| Structural defects | Within 6 years 6 months of cover starting | Within 3 months of noticing |
| Non-structural defects | Within 6 months of substantial completion | Within 7 months of substantial completion |
Cover starts on the earliest of paying the premium, signing the contract or work starting. It can be extended where the work takes longer than 6 months.
The non-structural window is short. Things like sticking doors, cracked tiles or a dripping tap need to be noticed within about six months of completion, so keep a running list from the day you move in.
If the builder doesn't fix it
- Raise the defect with the builder in writing first, with photos, and give them a reasonable time to fix it.
- If it isn't resolved, lodge a complaint with the QBCC. The QBCC says complaints should be lodged no later than 12 months after the work was completed, but the home warranty claim time limits are shorter.
- The QBCC can direct the builder to fix the work, and can decide a home warranty claim if the builder doesn't.
Buying new with Blackridge
Every listing shows its expected completion date and whether it's on a single or split contract. If you're new to buying off the plan, start with how house and land packages work, or ask us about a specific home.
Common questions
How long is a builder's warranty on a new home in Queensland?
Under the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme, structural defects are covered if you first become aware of them within 6 years and 6 months of cover starting. Non-structural defects must first be noticed within 6 months of the work being substantially complete.
How long do I have to make a home warranty claim?
For structural defects, within 3 months of first becoming aware of the defect. For non-structural defects, within 7 months of the work being substantially complete.
Should I get an independent inspection before handover?
It's worth considering. An independent building inspector can check the home against the plans and building standards and give you a written list of defects to raise with the builder.
This article is general information only, current at 30/10/2026. It isn't financial, tax or legal advice. Rules and amounts change, so check the official sources below and speak to a licensed professional about your situation.
