how building completion reports ensure quality and compliance

July 22, 2024
Effective Building
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For property owners, building completion reports are essential to have. These reports ensure that property owners can ask builders to correct or complete work before the final payment. As long as a building completion report is prepared between the date of practical completion and the date of Defects Liability Period (DLP) expiration, property owners can use it to ask builders to fix even minor defects before occupancy.

Why A Building Completion Report is Crucial for Quality

While building safety requires no major defects, building quality requires that all the little details meet the standards specified in the contract. Building completion reports include cosmetic and structural defects and any incomplete work. Property owners can ensure that the entire building or scope of construction work fully conforms to the quality they’re paying for and have agreed on with the builders.

A building completion report should be prepared before occupancy because it proves that any defects found post-construction are the faults of the builder. This way, builders can’t argue that these defects were caused by occupants.

However, the builder will only be responsible for rectification works if the report was prepared before DLP expiration. Inspectors will also include detailed recommendations and guidelines for such rectification works in the building completion report.

Why A Building Completion Report is Crucial for Compliance

Building completion reports may be necessary for the issuance of compliance certificates. The certifier might request a building completion report to certify that the finished work complies with regulatory standards and other key requirements. Having a compliance certificate can also help property owners obtain an Occupation Certificate (OC).

The Principal Certifying Authority (PCA) may rely on the compliance certificate and building completion reports to determine whether or not the building or renovated section can be legally occupied. If authorised, a compliance certificate may be used instead of an OC. This is important for property owners because getting a compliance certificate is typically easier and faster than getting an OC.