A list of small faults and unfinished details found when you inspect completed work, which the tradesperson then puts right.

Which documents should I get at the end?

Certificates for regulated work, any completion certificate, guarantees and warranties, manuals and the final invoice.

Should I hold back part of the final payment?

Only if it was agreed in the quote or contract. If you are unsure, ask for advice, for example from Citizens Advice, before withholding money.

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How to check and sign off finished building work

By the GlowUpp team · 27 October 2026

An old moss-covered tiled roof next to the same building with a new slate roof

BeforeAfter‹›

An AI-generated example. Real results depend on your own space.

When the builders say they have finished, the job is not over until you have checked it properly. Small faults are easiest to put right before the final payment, so take your time.

Do a proper walk-through

Walk round with the tradesperson if you can, in good daylight, with the quote or specification in your hand. Compare what was agreed with what was done.

A simple snagging checklist

Surfaces: paint, plaster, tiling and joins are smooth, even and complete.
Fittings: doors, windows and drawers open, close and lock properly.
Lines: floors, shelves and tiles are level and straight.
Services: taps, toilets, radiators, lights and sockets work.
Extras: silicone, grout and trim are neat, and nothing is missing from the specification.
Cleanliness: rubbish and dust have been cleared.

Photograph and list everything

Take dated photos of any problem and write a clear list with the location and what needs doing. Send it in writing, and agree a date for the fixes.

Collect the paperwork

Certificates for gas and electrical work, and any building-control completion certificate.
Guarantees and warranties, and manuals for appliances.
The final invoice, with receipts for anything you paid for.

Final payment

Agree in writing, ideally in the original quote, when the final payment is due. Some people hold back a small part until any problems on the list are fixed. Only do it if it was agreed, and get advice if there is a dispute.

Check again after a few weeks

Cracks in new plaster, small leaks and settling floors can show up after a short time. Ask what the guarantee covers and how to contact the tradesperson if something appears.

If you are not happy

Raise it calmly and in writing, and give them a fair chance to put it right. Our guide on solving a problem with a builder explains the next steps.

Mistakes to avoid

Paying in full before checking the work.
Reporting problems only by phone.
Losing the certificates and guarantees.

Get it right from the start

A clear brief and an agreed specification make final checks much easier. Always ask a qualified professional before moving gas, electrics or plumbing, or changing anything structural, and check your lease or local rules if you rent or live in a conservation area.

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Common questions

What is snagging?: A list of small faults and unfinished details found when you inspect completed work, which the tradesperson then puts right.
Which documents should I get at the end?: Certificates for regulated work, any completion certificate, guarantees and warranties, manuals and the final invoice.
Should I hold back part of the final payment?: Only if it was agreed in the quote or contract. If you are unsure, ask for advice, for example from Citizens Advice, before withholding money.