Handover

From final inspection to handover took nearly a month.

At the end of October was Handover - there were a number of things outstanding that were to fixed that day or the next day (or next week).

The list of things that were still open, which the builder fixed as promised were:

• Install new front door entry lock
• Install drain grates to Alfesco
• Repair broken pipe rear yard
• Remove rubbish from property
• Repair render to front garage pier
• Raise Hot Water Service a course of bricks
• Clean external window above garage
• Install kick plate to cooker
• Touchup scratches to DP to RHS of house
• Clean floor boards near front door
• Touchup scratches to SD to Alfresco
• Touchup scratches to post on balustrade (void) + dining handle
• Study fit off
• Clean laundry door external handle
• Rectify duct outlet to family room VM
• Check laundry tapware and WM taps and waste

The list of things they never fixed were:

• Cover gas pipe with black protection
• Confirmation that the Sarking was installed over master
• Install plastic cover plates to pipes in kitchen sink cupboard.

When we went to the office to give the cheque and collect the keys we found there was no DVD of the drain inspection as was promised, nor the certificate for the fire proof sheeting behind the splashback. We were borderline about handing over the cheque but we really needed to move on with our lives.

We were told we would get a certificate on handover for the fireproof sheeting installed with the glass splashback. We had to chase this after handover. We never got a certificate. Instead we got an undated letter from the installer which then had to be done 3 times before they 1) included the date of install and 2) got the date right. And it is not a Certificate.

We had the drain man come in and do an independent inspection after handover but before we moved in. They found issues with the sewer line and the storm water drains that needed to be fixed ASAP because we had concrete work about to start. Pretty disappointing since the builder refused to let us do this independent inspection until after handover. We were told that the drains were fully camera inspected by the plumber and we would get a copy of the DVD that was made. We never got the original DVD as mentioned above. The plumber came back out and re-did the camera inspection and fixed the issues so they tell us and promised a copy of the DVD but again we never got it.

We discovered after we had moved in a terrible odour in the house. It turned out that the powder room toilet was not sealed behind the wall. The plumber came out out to fix it ASAP as it was unhygenic. It required the toilet being pulled off the wall, resealed and refitted. They said we did not need to go back to the builder to organise the tiling/painting to be put back/touched up and they would take care of it all. They also said that they would fix the basin sink hole fitting which was missing an overflow opening, so water never drains from within the sink which is hollow, another potential source for smells down the track. But it has been over a month now and we realise that we haven't heard back from the plumber to come back and fix the tiling/painting or replace the sink hole fitting.

By the time we moved into the house we were completely over contacting the builder anymore, so will wait until the 3 month inspection which is just around the corner. I am also going to book in an independent maintenance inspection as no doubt we will only notice cosmetic issues so need the experts in to check what is really important.