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What's the lock-up stage?

The lock-up stage is when the home can be secured — external walls (cladding, brick, render), roof, windows and external doors are installed. The home is weatherproof and can be locked. Internal work (insulation, plaster, cabinetry) begins after lock-up. The lock-up progress payment is made at this stage.

What should I check at lock-up?

Check external cladding (brick, render, cladding) is installed correctly, roof is installed with flashings, windows and doors are the correct type/size/position and operate properly, gutters and downpipes are installed with correct fall, and all openings are weather-sealed with flashings and sealants. Take photos of the frame before it's covered.

Can issues found at lock-up be fixed?

Yes — most lock-up issues (cladding defects, roof issues, window/door problems, weather sealing gaps) can be fixed before the fixing stage begins. Raise issues in writing with photos. The builder should rectify them before internal work starts. Don't make the lock-up progress payment until issues are resolved.

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Building Process & Construction Stages

Lock-Up Stage: What to Check & How to Inspect

What happens at lock-up, what to inspect and common issues to look for.

5 min read·Compare My Build — Independent Resource· Updated July 2026

Cost estimates only: Any building or upgrade figures in this guide are indicative, not fixed prices or quotes. Costs and inclusions vary by project, supplier, location and time. Confirm current written prices and specifications directly with your builder, suppliers and relevant trades.

Key Takeaways

The lock-up stage is when the home can be secured — external walls, roof, windows and doors are installed
Check external cladding, roof, windows, doors, gutters and weather sealing
Verify windows and doors are the correct type, size and position
Check flashings and sealants — these prevent water entry
Take photos before the internal lining covers the frame

The lock-up stage is when your home becomes weatherproof and secure — external walls, roof, windows and external doors are installed. The home can now be locked, and internal work can begin. A thorough lock-up inspection verifies the external work is correct and weather-sealed before the internal fitout covers the frame.

What to Check

External cladding — check brick, render or cladding is installed correctly, plumb and level
Mortar joints — if brick, check mortar joints are consistent and fully filled
Roof — check roof sheets or tiles are installed correctly, aligned and secured
Roof flashings — check flashings around roof penetrations (chimneys, vents, skylights)
Sarking — check that roof sarking (under-roof membrane) is installed (if specified)
Windows — check windows are the correct type, size and position; check operation and seals
External doors — check doors are the correct type, size and position; check operation and seals
Gutters — check gutters are installed correctly, with correct fall and no sagging
Downpipes — check downpipes are installed and connected to stormwater
Weather sealing — check that all openings (windows, doors) are sealed with flashings and sealants
Building wrap — check that building wrap (if applicable) is installed correctly
External corners — check external corners are plumb and neat

Tip

Take photos of the frame before it's covered by insulation and plaster. Once the lock-up stage is complete, the builder will start the fixing stage and the frame will be hidden. Photos of the frame (with bracing, wiring and plumbing visible) are invaluable if you need to locate pipes, cables or structural elements later.

Common Lock-Up Issues

Brickwork defects — mortar joint inconsistencies, chipped or cracked bricks, uneven courses
Roof issues — misaligned sheets/tiles, missing flashings, inadequate fixing
Window/door errors — wrong type, size or position; poor operation; inadequate sealing
Gutter issues — incorrect fall (causing water pooling), sagging, inadequate brackets
Weather sealing gaps — missing or inadequate flashings and sealants (water entry risk)
Cladding defects — dents, scratches, misalignment, inadequate fixing

What to Document

Photos of all external walls (all sides of the home)
Photos of the roof (from ground level)
Photos of windows and doors (from inside and outside)
Photos of gutters and downpipes
Photos of flashings and sealants around openings
Photos of the frame before it's covered (for future reference)
Notes on any issues

Questions to Ask Your Builder

Are all external walls, roof, windows and doors installed correctly?
Are flashings and sealants in place to prevent water entry?
Are gutters and downpipes installed with the correct fall?
Have I taken photos of the frame before it's covered by insulation and plaster?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not taking photos of the frame before it's covered — invaluable for future reference
Missing weather sealing gaps around windows and doors — water entry risk
Not checking that windows and doors are the correct type, size and position
Overlooking gutter fall issues — water pooling causes damage over time

Builder Tips

Take photos of the frame before it's covered — you'll need them to locate pipes and cables later
Check all flashings and sealants around openings — they prevent water entry
Verify windows and doors are the correct type, size and position before the fixing stage
Check gutters have the correct fall and downpipes are connected to stormwater

Fixing Stage: What to Check

The next stage — internal fitout.

Read the Guide