Pre-Completion Inspection
This new NHQC inspection is a cosmetic and basic functionality test of the new home.
With the restrictions that the pre-inspection template places on the inspector, it would be considerably more advantageous to have a Post Completion snagging inspection carried out after you complete.
The New Homes Quality Board (NHQB) was set up to help address various issues within the New Build Homes industry. They have created the New Homes Quality Code (NHQC) and have appointed an Ombudsman, which is intended to improve the quality.
To find out if your developer is registered yet, you can use the following link: https://www.nhqb.org.uk/register-of-developers.html
The developer must give the customer an opportunity to visit the new home and appoint a suitably qualified inspector to carry out the pre-completion inspection on their behalf, before the completion date and within the five days after the notice to complete has been served (or earlier if the developer and the customer both agree to this).
The NHQC states that to undertake a Pre-Completion Inspection the suitably qualified inspector must:
a) Be a member of a recognised professional association undertaking surveying services in the residential housing sector (e.g., RICS, RPSA, etc).
b) Hold relevant Professional Indemnity insurance.
c) Only work within their competency.
d) Use the Standard Template Pre-Completion Inspection Checklist.
The new homeowner can not undertake this inspection unless they are a suitably qualified individual. If the developer is telling you that you can carry out these inspections yourself, this is incorrect.
There is an inspection template that must be followed to carry out the pre-completion inspection.
This new pre-inspection is a cosmetic and basic functionality test of the home. It restricts the ability of the inspector to be able to deviate from the template or comment on anything that is not listed. Your inspector can't reference any Building Regulations or Warranty Provider Standards. Basic tools are only allowed, so no thermal imaging or drone roof checks.
Your inspector will be able to record a scratch on a fire door, but can't record that the fire door is installed incorrectly, which is a breach in the regulations and could save lives!!
With the restrictions that the pre-inspection template places on the inspector, it would be considerably more advantageous to have a Post Completion snagging inspection carried out after you complete. There is no restriction then on what the inspector can include in his report, and it will be a lot more thorough. It is still advisable that an inspector is RPSA or RICS registered, as I am, as it shows that the inspector has some form of industry related qualifications.
Due to the limitations of the Pre-Completion Inspection, it is advisable to request a Post Completion snagging inspection Survey.