Guide · updated November 2026
Weep holes: check they're clear before handover
Weep holes are the small gaps in the bottom course of brickwork (and above windows). If they're blocked by mortar, render or garden beds, moisture can be trapped in the wall.
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
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Work through 80+ checks room by room and log every defect with photo references. Then get a numbered defects report and a letter for your builder. The checklist is free.
Start my inspection My deadlinesMore: New home handover checklist (room by room) · Practical completion inspection: a buyer's guide · Shower ponding: test the falls before you take handover · Drummy tiles: check them 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