Handover is when buyers see their kitchen, vanities and robes as finished products for the first time. Small cabinetry issues such as a misaligned door, a missing handle or a scratched panel stand out and can colour the whole handover experience. A consistent checklist helps site supervisors catch issues before the buyer does.
Before the practical completion inspection
Schedule the cabinetry team’s final adjustment visit after all other trades have finished in the home. That allows doors and drawers to be adjusted, panels and handles fitted, and minor marks touched up. Inspecting before trades have finished often means repeating the work.
Doors
- Doors are aligned with even gaps between neighbouring doors and drawers.
- Hinges are adjusted so doors close fully and quietly, with soft-close working where specified.
- No chips, scratches or marks on faces and edges.
- Handles are fitted, tight and level.
Drawers
- Drawers open and close smoothly to their full extension.
- Fronts are aligned and level.
- Soft-close mechanisms work as intended.
- Drawer interiors are clean and free of debris.
Carcasses and panels
- End panels, fillers and kickboards are fitted and secure.
- Scribes against walls are neat.
- Cabinets are level and fixed securely to walls.
- Interiors are clean, with shelves and pins fitted.
Benchtops
- Tops are level and securely fixed.
- Joins are tight and consistent.
- Edges are undamaged.
- Cut-outs suit installed appliances and sinks.
- Silicone lines are neat and continuous around sinks, basins and splashbacks.
Appliance integration
- Integrated appliance panels are aligned with surrounding doors.
- Dishwasher and fridge spaces have correct clearances.
- Rangehood and oven cabinets are correctly fitted.
Wet areas
- Vanities are sealed where they meet walls and benchtops.
- No signs of water around wastes or under basins after fit-off testing.
- Laundry trough cabinets are clean and properly sealed.
Robes and storage
- Shelves and hanging rails are secure and level.
- Sliding or hinged robe doors run smoothly, where supplied by the cabinetry trade.
- Walk-in robe joinery is aligned and clean.
Alfresco cabinetry
- Doors and hardware operate smoothly.
- Benchtops and cut-outs suit the installed barbecue or appliances.
- Sealing is complete where specified.
Care information for buyers
Include clear care and maintenance information for each finish and benchtop material in the handover pack. Cover cleaning products to avoid, heat protection, moisture near joins and edges, and how to adjust hinges. Buyers who know how to look after their cabinetry are less likely to cause avoidable damage.
Warranty information
Make sure buyers understand who to contact about cabinetry issues and what is covered. Our warranty terms are set out on our warranty page, and builders can include the relevant details in handover packs.
Recording defects
If issues are found at handover, record them with photos, location and a clear description, and send them to the supplier promptly. A specific list (“pantry door, left, 2 mm out of alignment”) gets fixed faster than a general note.
Consistent standards across every home
Using the same checklist on every home gives site supervisors a consistent standard and helps you identify recurring issues to raise with your supplier. Our in-house teams design, manufacture and install custom cabinetry for builders, which means the team that installed the cabinetry is the team that attends to it at handover. Read more on our builder processes page.
Frequently asked questions
When should the cabinetry final adjustment happen?
After all other trades have finished in the home, and before the practical completion inspection.
Should buyers receive care information?
Yes. Finish- and material-specific care notes reduce avoidable damage and help buyers understand normal adjustment.
What makes a defect report useful?
Photos, the exact location and a specific description help the supplier bring the right parts and fix it in one visit.
Should cabinetry be photographed at handover?
Yes. Photos of each kitchen, vanity, laundry and robe at handover create a clear record of condition. They help resolve later questions about whether a mark or chip was present when the buyer moved in.
Key takeaways for builders
- Schedule the final adjustment after other trades finish.
- Check doors, drawers, panels, benchtops and wet-area sealing.
- Photograph cabinetry at handover.
- Give buyers care and warranty information.
Talk to Character Cabinets
If you are planning upcoming builds and want a cabinetry partner that designs, manufactures and installs in-house, talk to our team. Call 08 9234 3000 or contact us to discuss your next project or request a quote.