Handover day feels like the finish line. You pay the final claim, get the keys and walk into your new home. But it's also the day you take on the risk: from here, the locks, the insurance and the job of reporting defects are yours. This post walks through our new C17 Handover Stage Checklist: what it is, what it does, when to use it, and why it's worth your time.
What it is
C17 is a fillable, 15-page checklist with 109 checks across 10 sections. It covers the handover meeting from start to finish: paying the final claim safely, taking possession with your own locks and keys, collecting every warranty, and setting up your defects period so nothing slips.
Every check has Fine, Later and Issue boxes. Key checks are marked, a defects register lets you record anything new on the day, and a sign-off page records the dates that matter.
C17 follows C16 (Practical Completion) and leads into C18 (6 Month Maintenance). It's one of our six Major checklists, which cover the biggest stages of your build.
What it does
Handover is usually a short meeting with a lot riding on it. C17 turns it into a clear sequence:
- Before the meeting: confirm the time and who's attending, bring your PCI checklist and defects register, arrange insurance and utilities in your name, and get every owner on the contract there or authorised.
- On the day: pay exactly what's invoiced, in the way the contract allows, then collect certificates, keys, remotes, devices, spares and warranties, and test them before you sign.
- After the meeting: know when your defects period ends, how defects must be notified, and what to look out for in the first months.
When to use it
- A week or two before handover, for Sections 1 to 3: the meeting, the final payment and the documents.
- At the handover meeting, for the rest: walk the home with the builder and test every key and remote.
- Straight after, to set your defects period reminders and start your home care routine.
Why use it
Because a few things go wrong at handover more often than they should:
- Paying before you're ready. The final claim is your strongest leverage. C17 helps you check that every PCI defect is either fixed or listed in writing with a date, before the money moves.
- Trade keys still working. C17 checks that the locks are re-keyed to your key, so the builder's and trades' keys stop working.
- Missing paperwork. Certificates, manuals and warranties are much harder to chase once the site team has moved on.
- Losing track of the defects period. Under Queensland's standard contracts (QBCC New Home Construction Contract GC 29.1, Master Builders Level 2 cl 19), the builder must fix defects that appear within 12 months of practical completion. That runs from the date of practical completion on your builder's notice, not the handover date. C17 has you write the dates down and set reminders.
What's in it for you
- A safe final payment, made once you know what you're getting.
- Real possession of your home: your keys, your locks, your insurance and your utilities from day one.
- Every warranty in one place, ready for when something stops working.
- A defects period you control, with dates, reminders and a register, so you can report issues in writing as soon as you find them.
What's inside: the 10 sections
| Section | Checks |
|---|---|
| S1Before the handover meeting | 10 |
| S2Final payment | 11 |
| S3Certificates and documents | 11 |
| S4Keys, locks and security | 13 |
| S5Devices, tools and spares | 9 |
| S6Warranty and service information | 14 |
| S7Utilities, services and safety | 10 |
| S8Defects period and notification | 14 |
| S9Looking after your home | 9 |
| S10Final walk-through and sign-off | 8 |
| Total | 109 |
Plus the defects register and a result page to total your marks and record the key dates.
Preview C17 · Get C17 for $119
C17 is also in the Peace of Mind Starter bundle (with C4 and C16) and the Fixing to Handover bundle.
A few honest caveats
- C17 is a guide, not legal or financial advice. Your contract sets the final payment, the defects period and how defects are notified, so read it before the meeting.
- Report defects in writing as soon as you find them. Don't save them all for the end of the defects period.
- Home warranty insurance has its own deadlines. In Queensland, non-structural defects must appear within 6 months of completion, and you must lodge with the QBCC within 7 months. Structural defects are covered for 6 years and 6 months.
Related reading
What is defective building work in residential house construction?The QBCC Act describes defective building work to include work that is faulty or unsatisfactory.
Home Maintenance Calendars: Proactive & Reactive StrategiesIn this article, we emphasise the importance of having a maintenance calendar for residential homes, blending preventative and reactive strategies. Be on top of maintenace and reduce long term costs.
CINS and Quality Checklists ExplainedLearn how the Constructor CINS system integrates with stage quality management checklists to improve tracking, communication, and resolution of construction quality issues.
Resolving Disputes with Tradies: Conflict Management TipsThis article offers guidance on managing disputes with tradespeople in home renovation and improvement projects. It explores common issues, provides tips for avoiding conflicts, and outlines steps for effective resolution
