Handover · New build
Pre-Handover Inspection Dubai
The last moment the defects in your new property are still someone else's responsibility. We inspect before you sign, and hand you a numbered, photographed snag list your developer can act on.
- 150+ point checklist
- Report in 24–48 hrs
- InterNACHI certified
- Villas · Apartments · Townhouses
What the inspection covers
- Structure, walls, ceilings and floor levels
- Electrical circuits, sockets and distribution boards
- Plumbing, drainage and water pressure
- HVAC performance and duct condition
- Doors, windows, seals and ironmongery
- Joinery, tiling and finish quality
Why a pre-handover inspection matters in Dubai
Handover day is designed to feel like a formality. You walk the property, the developer's representative points out the finishes, and you sign. What you are actually signing is an acknowledgement that the property was delivered in acceptable condition — and from that signature onward, the burden of proof shifts to you.
A pre-handover inspection puts an independent record in place before that happens. Working through a 150+ point checklist, our inspectors document every defect with a photograph, a location reference and a plain description of what is wrong. The result is not an opinion. It is evidence, in the format developer handover teams already process.
The defects we find most often on new Dubai builds are rarely dramatic. Hairline cracks at window reveals. Doors that bind because the frame is out of plumb. AC ducts running at reduced airflow. Silicone seals that were tooled badly and will fail within a season. Individually each is minor. Together they represent tens of thousands of dirhams of work that belongs on the developer's invoice, not yours.
As a property inspection company that has inspected more than 44,000 properties across the UAE, we know which developers repeat which mistakes, and which parts of a build reward a closer look.
Book once the handover notice is issued and before you sign the acceptance form. Inspecting afterwards is still worthwhile, but the conversation with the developer becomes a negotiation rather than an obligation.
Scope
What a 150+ point snagging inspection actually includes
- Structural and surface — cracks, level tolerances, ceiling deflection, screed and substrate condition
- Electrical — circuit testing, socket polarity, earthing, DB labelling, light fittings and switch operation
- Plumbing and drainage — supply pressure, leak checks under sinks and in service voids, trap and gully falls, water heater operation
- HVAC — airflow at each grille, thermostat response, condensate drainage, duct insulation and access panels
- Moisture and thermal — moisture readings at wet areas and external walls, thermal imaging where the build suggests it
- Doors and windows — alignment, closing action, glazing seals, locks, handles and weather stripping
- Joinery and finishes — wardrobe and kitchen carcass alignment, drawer runners, paint coverage, skirting and trim
- Tiling and wet areas — hollow tiles, grout consistency, slope to drain, shower tray seals
- External elements — balcony falls and drainage, railing fixings, terrace waterproofing, garden and boundary items on villas
- Safety — smoke detection, emergency lighting, balustrade heights and gap tolerances
How it works
From booking to a signed-off snag list
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Book and brief
Send us the property type, community and built-up area. We quote, confirm a slot, and call to understand anything you are already worried about.
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Inspect on site
An InterNACHI-certified inspector works the full checklist with moisture meters, thermal imaging and electrical test equipment. Every defect is photographed and located.
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Receive the report
Within 24–48 hours you get a developer-ready report: numbered defects, annotated photographs, severity notes and a summary you can forward directly.
Once the developer reports the snags as closed, we can return and verify each item against the original list. Fixes that were signed off but not actually completed are the most common finding at that stage.
Related services
Other inspections buyers book alongside this one
Questions
Pre-handover inspection FAQs
When should I book a pre-handover inspection in Dubai?
Do I need to be present during the inspection?
How long does the inspection take?
Will my developer accept your snagging report?
What does a pre-handover inspection cost?
Inspect before you sign
Certified inspectors, a 150+ point checklist and a report your developer can act on — delivered within 24 to 48 hours.