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Give the final thumbs up!
As the work winds down, make sure that it has been done to your satisfaction and according to your contract.
Never make the final payment or sign a certificate of work completion or any other document releasing the builder from further responsibility until all deficiencies are corrected.
Final tasks
The building work is finished, but there are some final things to consider:
- A final inspection must becarried outby the building inspector to ensure everything complies withyour building consent. If everything is satisfactory, a code compliance certificate will then be issued.
- Most contracts allow for a retention or withholding sum to be held back for a certain period, known as the maintenance period, after building is completed. This will be a percentage of the total price and 10 percent is common. You may have the opportunity to live in the house during this period, although it may not be possible if a code of compliance certificate has not been issued, and if any problems or defects come to light the builder is obliged to fix them before the final payment is made. Note that under some guarantees you cannot hold back any money or your guarantee is invalidated.
- When leaving the site the builder should:
- Ensure it's clean and tidy and ready for use.
- Give you any operating instructions and appliance or product guarantees and instructions for special maintenance.
- Arrange a date to come back and fix any problems that appear over the first few months.
Once the project is finished and life returns to normal, sit back and enjoy the fruit of your labours. If you prepared yourself well, you'll find your hard work has really paid off.
