When Is a House Actually Finished? Pre-Handover Checklist

Table of Contents (9 sections)

A building can look finished in photographs while still containing dozens of small incomplete items.

That is why the period before handover deserves its own process.

Fresh paint and cleaned floors create a powerful impression.

But handover review should also consider functional items.

Check operation, alignment, hardware and visible finishing.

Fixtures and accessible plumbing points should be checked for proper operation and visible issues.

Switches, outlets, fixtures and agreed systems should undergo appropriate testing.

Review tiles, stone, paint, joinery and other visible finishes against the agreed scope.

Wet areas and exposed areas require attention according to the project’s testing and quality procedures.

Record incomplete or defective items systematically rather than relying on memory.

When Is a House Actually Finished?