The finishing line is already in sight, and you've only the final stretch to complete. There's one major hurdle left, though – accepting the construction work. That's when the project is handed over to you, and you must check that all of the work has been carried out to your satisfaction. In order to avoid any subsequent hassle, you should carefully prepare the acceptance, and if at all possible bring an independent construction expert along for support. They have the necessary experience and tools to identify any shortcomings.
Missed deadlines are one of the most common annoyances. After all, you've given notice on your rental apartment and organized the move to your new home, but it is still full of harried craftspeople and gardeners spoiling the joy of your own four walls. Despite this the contractor or seller demands the full purchase price upon acceptance. This is provided for in most construction contracts.
It is therefore advisable to stipulate a provision in the building contracts before the actual start of construction, which provides for full payment only after full completion. This system of partial and on-account payments is normal in the construction industry. You do not have to feel guilty about retaining the last payment until the final end of construction.
Check carefully – because it is accepted "as seen"
In the building acceptance process everything must be checked. The catch is that elements such as water pipes, seals and thermal insulation are no longer visible at the time of acceptance. And water ingress in the building envelope accounts for two thirds of structural damage. Therefore, you should check these sensitive components regularly during construction work. Of course, the visible surfaces such as floors, walls and ceilings must also be carefully checked. The client should also take a close look at whether their wishes have been correctly implemented, for example with regard to the materials and colours used and the arrangement of electrical installations. This is because building acceptance is "as seen". Calculating imputed rental value. Anyone who buys an apartment or condominium should not forget that the roof, façade, underground car park as well as communal facilities such as the laundry room, heating and hobby room are pro rata part of the residential property. Here, too, it is necessary to check carefully.
Plan enough time for the acceptance process
The careful examination of the property with the contractor requires time. For a condominium, you should plan at least two hours, for a single-family house at least three hours. So ask for a long-enough appointment. In addition, no one can stop you checking the building work in peace and quiet even before the actual acceptance process. Write down any anomalies and identified defects so that they are not forgotten during actual acceptance.
The written acceptance protocol
The exact protocol of the building acceptance is not written by the owner, but by the contractor. Outstanding work and the identified defects should be recorded completely and comprehensibly, so that they are understandable if necessary for those not involved in the building acceptance process. The protocol must be signed by you and the contractor. It serves as an important document if you later need to take legal action to remedy deficiencies. The contractor must rectify the identified defects within a reasonable period of time. This period can be set by the client or buyer and should be recorded in the acceptance protocol. In addition, the warranty periods begins when the building is accepted. These are two years for visible defects and five years for hidden defects. The new house or the purchased apartment must be accepted if the property is usable under normal circumstances and therefore habitable. If this is not the case, you should and must postpone acceptance. In case of doubt, request an expert opinion from the authorities, which will check habitability. If the building is not habitable, refuse to accept it.