The Kalkallo handover walk: what to check before you sign
A practical order for the pre-handover inspection on a new Kalkallo home, from the roof down to the cabinet doors.
In short: Work from the outside in: roof, wall base, ground, then each room. Write every item down, have the builder acknowledge the list, and agree dates before signing.
Start on the roof
Look for cracked or broken tiles, loose ridge capping and debris in the valleys. From inside the manhole, check sarking, insulation coverage and whether ducts are crimped or hanging loose.
Then the base of the walls
This is where Kalkallo handovers most often fail. Weep holes should sit at least 150mm above the ground, or 75mm on graded sites, and be clear of mortar. Expansion joints and pipe penetrations should be sealed.
The ground around the house
Paths need isolation joints where they meet the slab. Ground should fall away from the house, and stormwater pipes need enough cover.
Inside, room by room
Doors should latch and swing without binding, cabinets should have even gaps, grout and sealant in wet areas should be complete, and paint and plaster should read as one finish in normal light.
Written by our local inspection team from work carried out in Kalkallo. Licensed building practitioners, Building & Plumbing Commission registration CDB-U 53425.
