Construction Completion Walkthrough

All building permits must be closed with final inspections approved. A completion certificate must be issued by the relevant authority before occupation. The defect liability period (typically 2-10 years depending on the member state) begins at handover. All work must comply with national building regulations and applicable Eurocodes.

1. Request copies of all building permits and verify final approval status

2. Confirm the completion certificate has been issued by the local authority

3. Verify all required inspections have been passed (structural, fire safety, energy)

4. Obtain the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) — legally required for new buildings

5. Confirm the defect liability period terms and start date in the contract

- Completion certificate not yet issued at time of handover

- Missing or incomplete inspection records for specific trades

- EPC not prepared or not matching the as-built specifications

- Unclear defect liability period terms in the construction contract

- Planning conditions not fully discharged

Finished surfaces should be free of visible defects when viewed from a normal standing position under normal lighting conditions. Paint, flooring, trim, countertops, and fixtures should be installed per manufacturer specifications and applicable trade standards. This is commonly called a "snagging" inspection.

1. Inspect all painted surfaces for coverage, drips, roller marks, and colour consistency

2. Check flooring for scratches, gaps, squeaks, level transitions, and proper pattern alignment

3. Verify all trim and moulding is properly fitted with tight joints and consistent reveals

4. Test all fixtures: taps, lights, switches, sockets, cabinet hardware, and door locks

5. Open and close all doors and windows — they should operate smoothly without sticking

- Paint defects especially in closets, behind doors, and at ceiling lines

- Flooring scratches from construction traffic after installation

- Poorly fitted trim and moulding with visible gaps

- Cabinet doors and drawers misaligned or not closing properly

- Windows not sealing properly or hardware not functioning

All mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems must be fully operational and have passed final inspection. Electrical installations must comply with IEC 60364 (national adoption). Heating systems must be commissioned and balanced. All RCDs, circuits, and fixtures must function correctly.

1. Test every socket outlet with an outlet tester — verify correct wiring and RCD protection

2. Run the heating system and check radiator or underfloor heating output in every room

3. Run all plumbing fixtures simultaneously and check for leaks under every sink

4. Flush all toilets and verify proper fill and drainage

5. Test mechanical ventilation, extractor fans, doorbell, smoke detectors, and CO detectors

- Dead sockets from missed connections or tripped RCDs

- Heating not balanced — rooms too hot or too cold compared to thermostat setpoint

- Plumbing leaks at supply connections, especially under sinks

- Smoke detectors not connected or missing from required locations

- Mechanical ventilation not performing to design specification

External works must be completed per the contract specifications and planning permission conditions. Ground levels should slope away from the building to prevent water ingress. Landscaping, driveways, pathways, and boundary treatments should be finished to the agreed specification.

1. Verify ground levels slope away from the building on all sides to prevent water pooling

2. Inspect driveways and pathways for proper finish quality, falls, and drainage

3. Check that landscaping matches contract specifications (turfing, planting, fencing)

4. Verify exterior render, cladding, or brickwork is complete and free of defects

5. Inspect all external sealant around windows, doors, and penetrations

- Inadequate ground drainage directing surface water toward the building

- Incomplete or substandard landscaping at time of handover

- Gaps in exterior sealant allowing moisture and air infiltration

- Render or cladding defects from construction activity not repaired

- Boundary treatments (fences, walls) incomplete or not matching specification

The builder should provide all manufacturer warranties, contractor guarantees, and maintenance instructions at handover. EU consumer protection law provides a minimum 2-year guarantee on goods; structural defect liability periods vary by member state (typically 5-10 years). All documentation should be compiled in a handover pack.

1. Collect all manufacturer warranties for appliances, boiler/heat pump, windows, and fixtures

2. Obtain the builder's written warranty covering workmanship, systems, and structural elements

3. Request operation and maintenance manuals for all installed systems

4. Document all model numbers and serial numbers for major equipment

5. Confirm the defect notification process and the builder's response timeline

- Missing manufacturer warranties (not registered by installer)

- Defect liability period terms not clearly documented in the contract

- No operation or maintenance instructions provided for heating or ventilation systems

- Warranty start date disputed (contract completion vs. handover vs. occupation date)

- Unclear process for reporting and resolving defects during liability period