A sound handover separates visual inspection, functional testing, documents, incomplete work and follow-up. Each defect should have a location, evidence, owner, deadline and verification status.
What to check
Use this list as a starting point. The depth of review should still match the project stage, decision value, documents and risks.
- Inspect finishes room by room under suitable lighting.
- Function-test electrical, plumbing, AC, pumps, drainage, doors, locks and equipment.
- Review water-sensitive areas such as roofs, bathrooms, balconies, pools and landscape.
- Collect final drawings, manuals, warranties, test results, material lists and vendor contacts.
- Verify rectification on site before closing a defect.
Questions before deciding
A useful answer should be traceable to documents, site conditions, a responsible party or a clearly stated assumption boundary.
- What is the acceptance criterion for each system?
- Who closes each defect and who verifies it?
- Which documents are required before final payment?
How to document the outcome
Record information sources, review dates, documents read, people interviewed, inaccessible conditions, key findings, decisions, owners and follow-up deadlines. Separate facts, third-party statements, assumptions and recommendations.
For legal, structural, geotechnical, tax, permitting, land, design or specialist-testing decisions, use appropriately authorised and qualified professionals.
This article is general educational guidance. Project, contract, land, building and legal conditions vary and may require a specific review.