Guide · updated November 2026

New home handover checklist (room by room)

Do this walk-through before you sign off. Bring a torch, a phone charger to test power points, a coin to tap tiles, and masking tape to mark defects.

Outside and site

• Ground falls away from the house on all sides Look for low spots against walls where water would pool
• Stormwater pits and downpipes connected, grates in place Check every downpipe enters a pit or pipe, not onto the ground
• Driveway and paths: no cracks, even surface, finished as per contract Check expansion joints and edges
• Fencing, retaining walls and letterbox as per contract Compare with your inclusions list
• External taps work and don't leak Run each tap
• Landscaping, turf and clothesline as per contract Only if included
• Rubbish, offcuts and site materials removed Check side passages and behind the garage
• Meter boxes, NBN pit and gas meter installed and labelled

Roof, gutters and eaves

• Roof tiles or sheets straight, none cracked or missing Look from the street and back yard (binoculars help)
• Ridge capping and flashings neat and sealed
• Gutters fall to downpipes, no sagging or overflow marks Hose test if you can
• Eaves and soffit linings straight, painted, no gaps
• Fascias and barge boards straight and painted

External walls and cladding

• Brickwork: even mortar joints, no cracked or chipped bricks Look along each wall at an angle
• Weep holes clear (not blocked by mortar or garden beds) Check every wall above the damp course
• Articulation (control) joints present and sealed
• Render or cladding: no cracks, consistent finish, fixings not exposed
• Paint: even coverage, no overspray on brick, glass or fittings
• Sills and window head flashings in place

Windows and external doors

• Every window opens, closes and locks smoothly Try every one
• Glass not scratched, chipped or cracked Look at it against the light
• Flyscreens fitted and not torn
• External doors close, latch and lock; seals and weather strips fitted
• Door hardware tight and as per specification
• Garage door runs smoothly; remotes supplied and working Test the safety stop
• Keys for every lock supplied and labelled

Entry, hallways and living areas

• Front door, door stops and hardware installed
• Internal doors swing freely, latch, and have even gaps Close each door and look at the gap
• Skirting and architraves: tight joints, no gaps to walls
• Ceiling and cornices: no cracks, sags or gaps Use a torch held flat against the ceiling
• Light fittings and switches as per plan
• Windows and window furnishings as per contract

Kitchen

• Benchtops: no chips or scratches, joins tight, level
• Cabinet doors and drawers aligned, soft-close working, handles tight Open and close every one
• Splashback complete, grouted or sealed, no cracked tiles
• Sink and tap: no leaks, hot and cold correct, good flow Check under the sink with a torch
• Oven, cooktop, rangehood and dishwasher installed and working Turn each on
• Rangehood ducted outside (if specified)
• Silicone neat and continuous around sink and benchtop
• Power points and appliance circuits as per plan

Bathrooms and ensuite

• Floor falls to the waste: no ponding after a shower test Run the shower for 5 minutes and look for pooling
• Tiles: no cracks or chips, even edges (lippage), grout complete
• Tap test floor and wall tiles for hollow ('drummy') sounds Tap gently with a coin; mark hollow areas
• Shower screen: no leaks, seals fitted, door closes
• Silicone around bath, shower, vanity and toilet: neat and complete
• Toilet secure, flushes properly, no leaks at base
• Vanity and mirror secure; taps hot and cold correct
• Exhaust fan works and vents outside or to the roof as specified Hold a tissue up to it
• Towel rails, toilet roll holders and accessories installed

Laundry

• Tub, cabinet and tap installed, no leaks
• Washing machine taps installed and turned off
• Floor waste present and floor falls to it
• Exhaust or ventilation as specified

Bedrooms and robes

• Robe doors slide or swing freely and align
• Robe shelves and hanging rails fitted and level
• Doors, skirting and windows finished (as for living areas)
• Carpet or flooring finished to the door frame

Floors

• Floor tiles: no cracks, chips or hollow sounds, even grout Coin tap test
• Timber or hybrid: no gaps, cupping, scratches or squeaks Walk the whole floor
• Carpet: seams not visible, stretched tight, no ripples
• Transitions between floor types neat and level

Walls, ceilings and paint

• Plaster: no cracks, nail pops or visible joins Torch held flat to the wall shows bumps
• Paint: even coverage, no patchiness, drips or marks Look in daylight and with lights on
• Paint lines cut neatly at ceilings and trims
• Wall and ceiling junctions straight

Electrical

• Every power point works Use a plug-in tester or phone charger
• Every light and switch works
• Smoke alarms installed in required locations and interconnected Press test: all should sound together if interconnected
• Safety switches (RCDs) test correctly at the switchboard Press the test button
• Switchboard labelled
• TV, data and NBN points as per plan
• Ceiling fans and exhaust fans work

Plumbing, hot water and gas

• Hot water system installed and working; hot water reaches every tap
• No leaks under any sink, vanity or tub Torch check and dry tissue test
• Water pressure good at all taps
• Gas appliances connected and working
• Water meter reading recorded at handover Photograph it

Heating, cooling and ventilation

• Air conditioning units run, heat and cool
• Vents and grilles fitted in every room as per plan
• Remote controls and manuals supplied

Garage

• Slab: no significant cracks; finished as specified
• Internal access door installed; self-closing if required
• Power points and lights work

Documents to collect

• Occupancy certificate / certificate of final inspection
• Waterproofing certificate(s)
• Electrical certificate of compliance
• Plumbing compliance certificate
• Termite management certificate and durable notice
• Smoke alarm compliance
• Glazing certificate (if required)
• Home warranty insurance certificate
• Appliance manuals and warranties
• Paint colour and product schedule
• All keys, remotes and access devices
• Final invoice and statement of payments

More: Practical completion inspection: a buyer's guide · Shower ponding: test the falls before you take handover · Drummy tiles: check them before handover · Weep holes: check they're clear before handover · New home defects in NSW: your warranty rights · New home defects in Victoria: your rights · Queensland: the defects document and home warranty deadlines · Documents to collect at handover