New Home Snag List & Handover Inspections Canberra
Don't Just Get a Trade's Opinion. Get an Engineer's Precision. At NHI Canberra, we provide high-detail, visual snagging reports for builder's action. 100% independent, 24-hour turnaround.
Specialised New Home Practical Completion Inspection (PCI), Snagging & Pre-Purchase defects inspection by a Qualified Civil Engineer & Qualified Building Inspector. We catch the defects standard inspections may usually miss - protecting your investment with "Engineer's Eye" for detail.
Civil Engineer Building Inspector Canberra.
New Home Handover / PCI / Snag List Specialist ACT.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Canberra.
About Us
Expertise from Canberra Civil Engineer
Led by a qualified Civil Engineer with over 20 years of industry experience, NHI Canberra provides premium visual defect inspections for new residential handovers. We combine technical precision with a focus on workmanship quality to ensure your builder delivers the finish you paid for. Our mission is to provide you with a clear, professional snag list and peace of mind before you settle on your new home.
Meet Your Inspector: A Civil Engineer with a Passion for Detail
At NHI Canberra, you aren’t just hiring a building inspector; you are hiring a Qualified Civil Engineer.
While some inspectors come from a building trade background, my engineering foundation allows me to view your property through a different lens. I don't just see a crack or a "snag"—I understand the structural physics, drainage gradients, and material tolerances that define a quality home.
My Philosophy: Risk in YOUR Favour.
I specialize in Visual & Snagging Inspections for New Home Handovers (PCI) and Pre-Purchase reports. My goal is to deliver the most meticulous, high-detail report in the ACT, ensuring your builder meets the Guide to Standards and Tolerances before you sign that final cheque.
Engineering-level scrutiny. Zero-risk reporting. Total peace of mind.
New Home Snag Lists & Handover Inspections Canberra.
NHI Canberra provides expert, non-invasive visual building inspections across the ACT. We focus specifically on identifying visible surface defects, incomplete workmanship, and the quality of finishes. Our mission is to provide a clear, professional list of cosmetic and visible items that need attention before you settle. Note: Our inspections are strictly visual and do not include structural, mechanical, or concealed element assessments.
Our Inspections
New Home Inspection Canberra are experienced professionals with over 20 years who provide comprehensive building inspections for owners receiving new built homes as handover, buyers / sellers of established houses, apartments units or townhouses.
Practical Completion Inspection (PCI) and New Build Handover
We inspect: Newly built Independent Houses, Townhouses, and Apartments.
The PCI is your final chance to liaise with your builder generally accountable before the final payment. We provide a comprehensive room-by-room audit of your new home to ensure it is "move-in ready."
What we inspect: Paint finishes, tile alignment, cabinetry quality, installation of fixtures, window and door operation, and overall workmanship and any other visual defects.
The Goal: A professional "Defect List" or "Punch List" you can hand directly to your builder for rectification.
Risk-Managed Scope: This is a non-invasive, surface-level inspection of visible finishes and incomplete works. Sometimes Builder could offer to lightly reduce some amount in final invoice if owner could fix minor defects.
Price
Our professional fee for Practical Completion Inspection is from $895 incl GST. Contact us to get your quote.
Pre-Purchase Apartment, Unit and Townhouse
We inspect for: Buyers of established Apartments, Units, and Townhouses. (Note: We do not offer pre-purchase inspections for independent houses).
Buying a unit in Canberra? Most building reports focus on structural elements owned by the Body Corporate. We focus on the part you own—the interior.
What we inspect: Internal visible condition, signs of previous moisture/leaks, cabinetry wear, flooring condition, and functionality of internal fixtures.
The Goal: To ensure there are no expensive "hidden" cosmetic surprises inside the unit before you sign the contract. Sometimes the defects can be fixed by buyer who could lightly negotiate buying price.
Price
Our professional fee is from $695 incl GST. Contact us to get your quote.
Dilapidation Report
A detailed report documenting the existing condition of a property or structure prior to any construction or demolition work on adjacent site. This protects property owners against claim of damage caused by the neighbour works. We provide a thorough photographic works and written record of the property's condition.
Price
Our professional fee for Dilapidation Report is from $225 incl GST. Contact us to get your quote.
Our Professional Scope & Limits :
Visible Defects Only: We report on what can be seen with the naked eye. We do not move furniture, lift carpets, or cut into walls.
Non-Structural: We are not structural engineers or certifiers. We do not inspect roof cavities, sub-floors, or structural integrity.
Independent Houses: We only provide PCI (Practical Completion) services for new independent houses. We do not provide pre-purchase reports for established independent houses, as these require structural assessments outside our scope.
Compliance: Our reports refer to the ACT Guide to Standards and Tolerances for aesthetic finishes.
Contact us (we will call back later if we missed your call)
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything You Need to Know Before Your PCI
From booking your inspection to final snag list, we've gathered the most common questions to help you navigate your handover smoothly.
Our inspections are comprehensive visual assessments of your new home. We focus on workmanship, paint finishes, tiling, joinery, and general cosmetic defects (snags) to ensure your builder meets high standards before you move in.
No. To minimize risk and keep costs affordable, NHI Canberra focuses strictly on visual and cosmetic defects. While managed by a Civil Engineer, our reports are for "snagging" and workmanship quality, not structural integrity or geotechnical certification.
A Practical Completion Inspection (PCI) ensures your builder rectifies flaws before you pay your final installment. Having a professional snag list makes the conversation with your builder much easier and more effective
We understand that time is of the essence during a handover. You will receive your professional digital report, including photos of all visual defects, within 24 hours of the inspection.
Yes. We provide visual defect and PCI inspections for all residential types across Canberra, including high-rise apartments and multi-unit developments.
Absolutely. Our reports are designed to be "builder-ready," clearly identifying each cosmetic snag so your site supervisor knows exactly what needs to be fixed before your move-in date
From our customers
See why our we get referrals ongoing
Areas We Cover: Gungahlin Region - Amaroo, Harrison, Casey, Taylor, Jacka, Bonner, Forde, Throsby, Moncrieff Belconnen - Belconnen, Lawson Molonglo Valley - Coombs, Wright, Denman Prospect, Whitlam Inner North - Watson, Dickson.
NHI Canberra is a verified Google Business serving the ACT and surrounding regions.