Inspecto Handover

Independent snagging inspections for Dubai property buyers

Inspecto Handover is a Dubai-based inspection company that works exclusively for buyers, never for developers or contractors. Its core service is snagging at new-build handover: a detailed inspection carried out before the buyer signs for the property, so that defects remain the developer's responsibility. The company states that it is InterNACHI-certified and RERA-registered, and that it covers all seven Emirates.

The inspection is documented in a photographic report that lists every defect with a location reference and a severity grade. The report is issued the same day as the inspection, and a second visit to verify that defects have been fixed (de-snagging) is included in the fee.

Inspection methods and equipment

Inspectors use thermal imaging on every job, along with moisture meters and electrical test equipment. The site describes checks that go beyond a visual walk-through: taps and basin drainage are run and timed, appliances are tested, floor levels and tile falls are measured across rooms, and moisture readings are taken behind finishes before any problem is visible on the surface. Every defect found on site is marked with a numbered sticker so the contractor can locate it.

The company's Chief Technical Officer, Sami Idbies, came from real estate development and contracting before moving into inspection. The site presents this background as the basis for knowing where construction work is commonly cut short.

Services by stage of ownership

The company organises its work around different moments in a property's life. The most booked service is new handover snagging. Other services include:

• Defect liability period inspection: a review during the one-year builder's warranty to identify what is still claimable before it expires.
• Resale property inspection: for secondary-market purchases, covering issues that listing photos and viewings do not reveal.
• Post-renovation and fit-out inspection: verification of a contractor's work against what was agreed, before the final invoice is settled.
• Rental, move-in and move-out inspection: an independent condition record for long-term tenancies, intended to settle deposit disputes.
• Commercial property inspection: offices, retail units and warehouses, inspected to the same standard as residential handovers.
• Holiday home and Airbnb inspection: turnover condition reports for short-term rental units, between guests or at the start of a let.

Inspecto also offers formaldehyde screening, an indoor air test for newly built and newly fitted-out properties, which the company lists as exclusive to its service.

What the inspection covers

The report documents every system in the property with photographs and a location reference. The areas covered are structure and finishes (walls, ceilings, floors, skirting, paint, tile levels and hollow tiling); doors and joinery (alignment, sealing, locks, handles, wardrobes and built-in cabinetry); plumbing (water pressure, drainage, leaks, traps, heaters, bathroom and kitchen fittings); electrical (sockets, switches, distribution board, earthing, lighting circuits and outdoor points); HVAC (air flow, temperature differential, condensation, ducting and drainage lines); waterproofing (bathrooms, roofs, terraces, balconies and external wall junctions); and external areas (landscaping, irrigation, boundary walls, garage, driveway and drainage falls). Thermal imaging is used to detect hidden leaks, damp behind finishes, missing insulation and overheating electrical points.

Severity grading of defects

Defects are not simply listed; they are graded so that the most important issues are addressed first. The company uses three categories:

• Critical: safety, water and structural issues such as electrical faults, active leaks, failed waterproofing or drainage running the wrong way. These are raised first and expected to be fixed before the buyer accepts the property.
• Functional: items that work but not as they should, such as doors that do not close properly, weak water pressure, air conditioning missing its temperature differential, or hollow tiling likely to crack.
• Cosmetic: finish quality issues such as paint runs, chipped skirting, misaligned joinery or grouting.

Coverage across the Emirates

Inspecto Handover covers all seven Emirates. The site lists 32 communities where it works most often, including in Dubai: Damac Hills, Dubai Hills Estate, Damac Lagoons, Jumeirah Village Circle, Arabian Ranches, MBR City District 11, Business Bay, Dubai Marina, Emaar Beachfront, Dubai South, Tilal Al Ghaf, The Valley, Damac Hills 2, Palm Jumeirah, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Creek Harbour, Sobha Hartland, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Town Square, Mudon, Al Furjan, Jumeirah Park, Motor City, Dubai Sports City, Bluewaters Island, City Walk, Dubai Islands and Rashid Yachts & Marina. Outside Dubai, it names Yas Island and Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, and Aljada in Sharjah.

Report delivery and client feedback

The company emphasises that the report is delivered the same day, not within 24 to 48 hours, because handover paperwork moves quickly. A sample report is available on the site, with client details removed, showing photographs, location references and severity grading. The site displays a 5.0 rating on Google and includes several client testimonials, including one from a client in JVC.