Moving in is a milestone, but it's also the start of a new responsibility, keeping the home in good condition so it holds its value and remains comfortable to live in. Ongoing maintenance covers everything from structural upkeep and surface care to plumbing, electrical systems, and seasonal checks.
The first year after handover is particularly important. As the home settles, minor cracks, movement in frames, or small adjustments are common and usually covered under the builder's maintenance period. Knowing what's normal, what needs reporting, and how to make a claim makes this period much less stressful.
Understanding your maintenance responsibilities early prevents small issues from becoming larger, more expensive repairs down the track. This section of BuildWiki helps you stay on top of post-handover care with practical guidance on what to watch for, when to act, and how to maintain your home through every season.
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Post-Handover & Maintenance
Improve drainage and protect brickwork from ongoing moisture exposure to prevent vanadium staining recurrence.
Vanadium salts can continue to leach out and cause staining if the bricks are repeatedly exposed to water. Addressing moisture sources like poor drainage or leaks is crucial for a long-term fix.
Post-Handover & Maintenance
Contact your home insurance provider to report the water damage and inquire about making a claim.
Water damage can worsen over time and lead to more significant structural issues if not addressed promptly. Your insurance policy is designed to cover such events, and they can guide you through the claims process.
Builder Management
Give your builder a written deadline, such as 14 days, to respond to your concerns about the water damage.
Formal written communication creates a record of your attempts to resolve the issue directly with the builder. If they fail to respond within the specified timeframe, it strengthens your case when seeking external advice or lodging a complaint.
Construction & Site
Insist on scotia or skirting boards to cover expansion gaps if required by the installation method or manufacturer.
If expansion gaps are necessary due to the installation method or product type, scotia or skirting boards are the standard way to achieve a neat finish and protect the flooring edge. Not covering these gaps can lead to a poor aesthetic and potential damage.
Selections & Design
Consider skirting boards over scotia for a more complete and durable finish, especially in high-traffic areas.
Skirting boards provide a more robust and aesthetically pleasing finish compared to scotia, offering better protection against damage from vacuum cleaners or mopping and contributing to a more complete look for the home.
Financial & Cost Savings
Compare builder's electrical upgrade costs with quotes from independent electricians for work done after handover.
Builders' pre-start electrical upgrades are often significantly more expensive than hiring your own electrician after handover, especially for items like downlights and additional power points.
Post-Handover & Maintenance
Consider sealing the exterior of single-skin walls to prevent future vanadium staining.
Vanadium salts can be brought to the surface by water penetrating unprotected single-skin walls. Sealing the exterior after cleaning can prevent re-wetting and stop the stain from reappearing, especially before adjacent structures are built.
Post-Handover & Maintenance
Consider integrating the laundry sink into a stone benchtop after handover.
While builders may offer basic trough sinks, integrating a sink into a stone benchtop post-handover provides a more aesthetically pleasing and functional workspace for folding clothes and general laundry tasks, often at a better price point.
Post-Handover & Maintenance
Investigate the ease of replacing individual planks, as glued-down Vinyl Plank (LVP) is often considered simpler to repair than Hybrid flooring.
Accidental damage can occur, and the ability to easily replace a single damaged plank without extensive disruption is a significant advantage. Glued-down LVP typically allows for more straightforward plank replacement compared to some Hybrid systems.
Selections & Design
Consider the practical implications of a larger bathtub, such as increased water consumption and filling time.
While a larger bath might seem desirable, many homeowners find they use it less frequently due to the time and water required to fill it. A smaller, more practical bath can be more functional for everyday use and reduce utility costs.
Post-Handover & Maintenance
Understand that engineered timber can be sanded and restored multiple times, potentially lasting up to 100 years if properly maintained.
The real timber top layer of engineered wood allows for refinishing, extending its lifespan significantly. This contrasts with hybrid or vinyl, which are plastic-based and cannot be sanded, meaning their lifespan is limited by wear and tear.
Financial & Cost Savings
Obtain multiple quotes from paving contractors for driveway infill work after handover.
Once construction is complete and you have possession of the property, you can engage trades to rectify or modify aspects like driveway gaps. Getting several quotes ensures you find a competitive price and a contractor experienced in this type of work.
Construction & Site
Upgrade the garage door to a roller door for improved durability and longevity over time.
Roller doors are generally more robust and require less maintenance than some other garage door types, offering better long-term value and performance.
Builder Management
Verify the reliability and quality of a house painter through recommendations.
Engaging a painter who is guaranteed to be honest and reliable means you're more likely to get quality workmanship. This reduces the risk of disputes or poor finishes.
Financial & Cost Savings
Obtain quotes from qualified electricians for the installation of exhaust fan timers.
Labour costs can vary significantly between tradespeople. Getting multiple quotes ensures you secure a fair price for the installation work and avoids unexpected expenses.
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