Renovation handover checklist: what to check before your final payment

The final instalment, often around 10% of the contract, is your best leverage to get everything fixed. Do a careful walk-through with your ID or contractor before you pay it, and write everything down with photos.

Carpentry

• Open and close every cabinet door and drawer. Doors should line up and close flush; soft-close should work.
• Check laminate edges for peeling and inside shelves for chips.
• Wardrobe sliding doors should run smoothly and stay on their track.

Countertops, sink and taps

• Look for chips, scratches and unsealed joints. Place your phone flat to check the top is level.
• Run hot and cold water for five minutes, then check inside the cabinet under the sink for drips.

Electrical and lighting

• Test every new socket with a phone charger and every switch and dimmer.
• Run each fan on all speeds and look for wobble or noise.
• Check the distribution board is labelled, and ask for the electrical certificate if wiring was changed.

Ceiling, paint and flooring

• Look along false ceilings with a torch: joints should be invisible and cove lights even.
• Check paint for patchy colour, drips and messy lines where walls meet the ceiling or carpentry.
• Walk the floor for lifting vinyl edges, gaps and hollow tiles. Check trims at doorways.

Bathrooms

• Run the shower for five minutes with the screen closed, then check the floor outside is dry.
• Pour water across the floor: it should all flow to the trap. Silicone lines should be neat and complete.

Aircon, windows and cleaning

• Run each aircon unit for 10 minutes: it should cool and drain without dripping indoors.
• Check grilles are fixed firmly and there's no paint or cement on the glass.
• Look in window tracks, cabinets and corners for dust, debris and paint splashes.

Documents and keys

Collect written warranties (carpentry, waterproofing, appliances), the renovation permit and any electrical certificate, plus all keys, remotes and manuals.

After handover

Send your contractor a numbered list with photos and agree a date to fix everything. Keep the final payment until every item is done. Anything that appears later is usually covered by the workmanship warranty, often 12 months, so check your contract and keep logging issues.