What to check when accepting work after construction or refurbishment

1. Finishes and building works

• walls, ceilings and floors — cracks, unevenness, quality of paintwork;
• doors and windows — opening, closing, seals, hardware;
• joints, trims, silicone sealant in sanitary facilities;
• falls and drainage — balconies, terraces, showers;
• whether everything in the design and the contract has been done.

2. Building systems in operation

Systems have to be tested running, not just looked at:

• ventilation — airflow in the rooms, noise, control panel;
• heating and cooling — whether they reach the set temperature;
• electrical — every socket and light, labelling of the distribution boards;
• water supply and sewerage — pressure, leaks, drainage;
• fire safety and security systems — test certificate from the installer.

3. Documents to ask for

• as-built surveys and drawings (where everything runs in the walls and ceilings);
• electrical installation test report (insulation resistance, earthing);
• equipment data sheets, operating manuals and warranty cards;
• system balancing and commissioning reports;
• concealed works records;
• a maintenance schedule for the first year of operation.

4. Snagging list

If the inspection finds defects, they are entered in a snagging list with a specific deadline for putting them right. The certificate can be signed with this list as an annex. It matters that each defect is described clearly enough that there is no later argument about whether it has been fixed — with the location, a photo and the expected result.

5. Warranty and ongoing maintenance

Make sure you know the date the warranty runs from, what it covers and how to report a warranty defect. For much equipment, the manufacturer's warranty is only valid if planned maintenance has been carried out — so you need to know the maintenance schedule on the day of handover.