Practical Completion is the last stage of finishing construction of your new home or renovation.

You’re almost finished, and ready to move into your completed home. So what happens?

This is STEP 7 in building your new home or renovation project: Practical Completion.

This part of your construction process should only account for around 5% of your overall project cost, and in the work taking place. Many homeowners get caught out because their project gets to this point and the builder still has a lot of work to complete for the project to be finished.

Practical Completion includes minor touch-ups. Your builder will be ‘defecting’ your project. This involves identifying any areas of your project that require small touch-ups, or for damage to be repaired. Various trades can be involved in tidying up or fixing any work that may have been damaged due to activity on site.

There’ll be a few inspections at this point too. These should involve you, your builder and also your private certifier.

This stage of your project requires official documentation to sign off completion, and resolve your building approval properly.

Some work cannot occur until Practical Completion, because it needs to wait until trades are not walking all over it, or building dust being generated on site. This can include carpeting, and external soft landscaping (grass and planting).

Your project generally includes a builder’s clean. This will not be a forensic clean. Understand what this involves so you can factor in additional cleaning should you need it to move back in.

The timing of handover is critical, and should not be overly rushed. If your builder has been performing well, pushing them to hurry up in this final stage can be detrimental to your project. Communicate with them to determine when you can move back into the home so you give them the chance to finish your home to a high quality, defect-free standard.

It’s then essential that you monitor the home’s performance during your Defects Liability Period to catch any further defects and areas that are the builder’s responsibility to fix. Be clear from your contract as to what is covered as a defect in this period after Practical Completion.

DID YOU KNOW?

Practical Completion is a contract term, as well as a stage in your build. AND, certain things can trigger Practical Completion whether your project is finished or not. Read your contract thoroughly before signing it so you’re aware of your risks and obligations.

For more information check out Season 7  in the “Get it Right” podcast and learn more about the construction of your new home or renovation.

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Head to HOME Method to see more about what’s inside the program, and how it can save you stress and money as you navigate the construction of your reno or new home.