The dust has settled. The final trades have packed up. You’re finally living in your newly renovated home – and at first, it’s everything you hoped for.

 

Then, a few weeks pass after the handover.

You notice a small leak in the bathroom.

A power point you reach for every day sits awkwardly low.

And every time you flick the shower on… you cop a blast of cold water to the face because the mixer tap is installed directly under the shower head.

Individually, these issues seem minor.

But they chip away at your experience. Your comfort. Your confidence in the build.

And most frustrating of all? They were entirely avoidable.

In a moment, I’ll show you how to protect your renovation from mistakes like this – before they ever happen.

But first, let’s look at why they’re so common… even with experienced builders.

The Real Problem Isn’t Poor Workmanship – It’s Poor Oversight

Here’s the truth: most renovation disasters don’t happen because someone cut corners.

They happen because nobody was checking the details.

In a custom renovation, you’re often dealing with over 40 separate stages. Each one involves different trades, specific products, unique measurements – and dozens of steps that must be completed in the right order.

At HDMB, we use over 2,000 individual quality control checks across every project to ensure nothing is overlooked.

That may sound extreme… until you realise just how easy it is for things to go wrong.

• A mixer tap installed too high or too low
• Power points set too close to the floor, making them unusable for adapters
• Waterproofing that wasn’t tested before tiles were laid
• Shower niches forgotten until after the walls were lined
• Skylights missed entirely from the roof plan

You can’t always see these issues right away.
But months – or even years – down the track, they reveal themselves.

And by then, fixing them means undoing finished work, which costs far more than getting it right the first time.

Why Renovations Are Riskier Than New Builds

It’s easy to assume renovations are simpler. Smaller. More contained.

But in reality, they’re often more complex than new builds – especially in older established suburbs within Sydney’s East and Inner West.

Here’s why:

• You’re working around existing structures
  
• You’re dealing with irregular spaces and surprises behind the walls
  
• You’re layering new systems onto old ones – plumbing, wiring, waterproofing

And the margin for error is slim.

One missed check – a step-down that’s forgotten, a flashing that’s not installed, a niche that isn’t framed – can lead to expensive, disruptive fixes later on.

“Why Didn’t We Catch That Earlier?” — The Words No Homeowner Wants to Say

Most homeowners don’t know what to look for.

And why would you? You’re not meant to be a construction expert.

But you do know how frustrating it is to:

• Discover a leaky bathroom six months after tiling
  
• Realise a mixer tap was installed under the shower head (hello, cold blast)
  
• Or find out your new skylight was never actually installed

At that point, your options are limited:

• Live with it (resentment included)
  
• Or rip things out and start again – at your own expense

Neither of those should be on the table in a premium renovation.

How Quality Control Actually Works – When It’s Done Right

Here’s what true quality control looks like:

• Every trade checks their work – and signs it off before they leave
• Every detail (from waterproofing to wall cavities) is documented
• Every adjustment is logged and cross-checked against the spec
• And every project milestone is tracked through cloud-based software – visible to you at any time

There’s a reason good builders are so obsessive. It ensures you get a home that works the way it should – day in, day out, year after year.

Want to Know If Your Builder Takes Quality Seriously? Then Get Specific…

Don’t just ask, “Do you have a quality process?”

Ask for proof, for example:

• Can they show you a live example of their checklist in action?
  
• Are they using project management software that tracks quality at every stage?
  
• Can they explain how they sign off each trade – and who’s accountable?

If they can’t walk you through it clearly, that’s a red flag. 

Think about it: if they can’t show you the system now, there’s no guarantee they’ll use it once your build starts.

What It Feels Like to Live in a Home That Was Built Properly after Handover, Down to the Last Detail

You don’t have to second-guess anything.
You don’t need to worry about leaks, squeaks, cracks, or callbacks.
You just live in your home – and enjoy it the way you imagined.

Because when the little things are done right, everything feels better.

Your spaces flow.
Your finishes hold up.
And the renovation you worked so hard for delivers comfort, not concern.

It’s Not About Perfection Handover, It’s About Peace of Mind

You’re not asking for a miracle.

You just want a home that works as beautifully as it looks.

And that’s only possible when the build is managed with systems, checks, and care.

So whether you’re mid-design or comparing builder quotes, ask the questions now – not after handover.

Because by the time you spot the issue, it’s already too late to undo it painlessly.

Of course, quality control is only one piece of the puzzle when building a custom home. That’s why I created this comprehensive guide for you to download: 

7 Things You Must Know Before Designing a New Home

Inside, you’ll learn:

• How to avoid post-handover surprises
  
• What real quality control should look like
  
• And the questions most homeowners don’t think to ask (but absolutely should)

Click here to download your free copy

Because you shouldn’t have to cross your fingers and hope the build was done right.
You should know it was.

Learn more about Jay and David’s Story. HDMB are proud APB and HIA members.