What Is a Pre-Completion Inspection?

A pre-completion inspection is a structured check of a newly built property, carried out before you legally complete on the purchase. It is sometimes called a new-build inspection or a pre-handover inspection.

The inspection is carried out by an independent RICS-qualified surveyor — not by the developer’s site team or sales representative. That independence is important: the surveyor’s job is to identify issues on your behalf, not to confirm the developer’s own sign-off.

The result is a clear report listing any defects, incomplete items, or areas of concern, presented in a format that you can share with the developer to request remedial work before you take ownership.

When Does a Pre-Completion Inspection Happen?

The inspection is carried out after the property is substantially complete but before legal completion takes place. In practice, this is usually a few days to a couple of weeks before your planned completion date.

Timing is important. The property needs to be sufficiently finished for a meaningful inspection — but if you wait until the last moment, there may not be enough time to address any issues found before completion.

It is worth booking the inspection as soon as you have a confirmed or estimated completion date, to make sure access can be arranged with the developer in good time.

What Is Checked During a Pre-Completion Inspection?

The inspection covers both the inside and outside of the property in a systematic way. The surveyor works through each area methodically, noting defects, incomplete items, and anything that does not meet the expected standard for a new build.

External checks

The external inspection includes:

• Brickwork and render — looking for cracks, inconsistencies, and poor pointing
• Roof tiles and ridge — checking for missing, broken, or misaligned tiles
• Guttering, fascias, and soffits — checking for secure fixing and correct fall
• Windows and external doors — assessing fit, locking mechanisms, and glazing seals
• Driveways, paths, and external drainage — looking for falls that may cause water pooling
• Garden areas, fencing, and boundary structures if included in the purchase

Internal checks — room by room

The internal inspection works through each room systematically. Common items checked include:

• Walls and ceilings — looking for cracking, tape joints, poor plastering, and paint finish
• Flooring — checking for squeaks, uneven boards, and poorly finished junctions
• Doors and internal joinery — assessing fit, operation, and finish of all doors and frames
• Skirting boards, architraves, and trims — checking for gaps, poor mitres, and fixings
• Staircases — checking for movement, squeaking, and balustrade security

Kitchen and bathrooms

These rooms typically generate more findings than others, as there are more components to check:

• Units, worktops, and appliances — checking fit, finish, and operation
• Tiling — looking for uneven or cracked tiles, inconsistent grout lines, and poor pointing around baths and showers
• Silicone seals — checking for completeness and finish around wet areas
• Sanitary ware — checking operation of taps, flushing, and drainage
• Extractor fans — testing operation and checking duct connections

Services and building systems

The surveyor will also note visible elements of the building’s services, including:

• Heating system — checking visible components and testing where possible
• Electrical fittings — checking socket positions, spur covers, and light fittings
• Ventilation — checking trickle vents and extractor provision
• Loft access — inspecting accessible roof spaces where safe to do so

The inspection is visual and non-destructive. The surveyor will not open up floors or walls, but will note any areas where further investigation may be warranted.

What Happens After the Inspection?

Following the inspection, you will receive a written report. This sets out the findings clearly, typically organised by area of the property, and identifies items that should be addressed before or shortly after completion.

Findings are usually categorised by priority — distinguishing between items that should be resolved before completion and those that may be acceptable to address shortly after moving in as part of the developer’s warranty process.

You can share the report with the developer to request that identified issues are rectified. Most developers have a snagging and defects process, and a clear report from an independent surveyor carries more weight than a verbal list of concerns.

What If Issues Are Found?

It is quite normal for a pre-completion inspection to find a range of issues. New builds are complex projects, and minor defects and finishing items are common even in well-built developments.

The inspection report helps you prioritise what matters most. Items that affect the structural integrity, weatherproofing, or safety of the property are the most important to resolve before completion. Cosmetic issues and minor snags may be acceptable to address after moving in through the developer’s warranty process.

Your solicitor can advise on what recourse is available if significant issues are identified and the developer is unwilling to address them before completion.

In most cases, having an independent report makes it easier to have a constructive conversation with the developer’s customer care team, because the issues are documented clearly and professionally.

Do You Need a Pre-Completion Inspection?

A pre-completion inspection is not a legal requirement, but for most new-build buyers it is a worthwhile step. The cost of commissioning an independent inspection is typically modest compared to the cost of the property, and the inspection happens at a point when the developer still has a clear responsibility to put things right.

It is particularly worth considering if:

• You are buying off-plan and have not seen the finished property before agreeing to purchase
• You have heard concerns about the developer’s quality record
• The property is in a large development where individual attention to finish may be variable
• You are not familiar with what to look for yourself
• You want documented evidence of the property’s condition at the point of handover

Blue Blossom Surveys carries out pre-completion inspections for new-build buyers across Peterborough and surrounding towns including Stamford, Corby, Bourne, Spalding, Huntingdon, Oakham, Wisbech, and many other locations within a 30-mile radius.