What is a PCI
A Pre-Completion Inspection(PCI)
This is an independent property survey that a homebuyer is legally entitled to arrange under the New Homes Quality Board (NHQB) rules before officially completing on your new-build house. Your inspector must be a registered member of a recognised professional organisation such RICS or RPSA.
The primary Pro is that it forces your developer
This is an independent property survey that a homebuyer is legally entitled to arrange under the New Homes Quality Board (NHQB) rules before officially completing on your new-build house. Your inspector must be a registered member of a recognised professional organisation such RICS or RPSA.
The primary Pro is that it forces your developer to acknowledge and complete any defects identified prior to you handing over your money or commit to a set timescale for items not completed giving you some leverage proir to handing over you funds.
However the main Con is that PCI is strictly limited to a rigid, standardised NHQB checklist. This means an inspector cannot complete a deeper, structural investigation ( such as thermal imaging cameras or testing areas for damp) during this specific visit, as those advanced checks can only be completed once you officially own the property.
As members of the RPSA we are permitted to complete this type of inspection.