Commission the house
Test plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling, ventilation, alarms and controls as complete systems. Verify balancing, drainage, pressure and equipment start-up records.
Check doors, windows and finishes after the building has been connected and levelled, not only in the factory.
Manage deficiencies
Use one punch list that identifies whether the factory, set crew or site contractor owns each item. Add photographs, dates and acceptance criteria.
Prioritize water entry, structural issues, life safety and systems before cosmetic repairs.
Close permits and contracts
Obtain occupancy or completion documents and confirm outstanding permits. Deliver manuals, warranties, labels, approved drawings and inspection records to the owner.
Final payment should follow the contract and applicable law, with unresolved work documented rather than forgotten.
Apply this guide to a real project
For commissioning, punch list and occupancy, create a dated project note tied to the destination address and current drawing revision. Identify the authority, designer, factory or contractor responsible for each unresolved item. Attach the written evidence for ‘Have all building systems been tested as installed?’ and ‘Is every deficiency assigned to a responsible party?’ rather than recording a verbal assurance.
Before a deposit, production release, shipment or final payment, convert every open question into a named action with an owner and deadline. Keep superseded drawings and decisions in the record so later inspectors, lenders, insurers and future owners can understand why the completed house differs from an early sales plan.
Questions to resolve before proceeding
- Have all building systems been tested as installed?
- Is every deficiency assigned to a responsible party?
- Are occupancy and permit-closeout documents complete?
- Has the owner received the permanent record package?