Handover is not the point where a commercial builder’s responsibility simply ends. It marks the move from construction into practical completion, defect management, warranty support and the day-to-day operation of your new space.
Quick takeaways
- Your contract should clearly state the defects liability period, how issues are reported and who is responsible for rectification.
- WA’s four-month defect provision applies to qualifying home building work, not automatically to ordinary commercial fitouts.
- A professional handover should include the right documentation, warranty information and a clear contact for post-fitout support.
After more than 25 years in the building industry, I have found that clients often judge a builder just as much by what happens after handover as they do by the finished space.
A polished fitout is important. But so is knowing who to call when a door needs adjusting, a supplier warranty needs to be located or an issue appears once the premises are being used properly.
What Happens During a Commercial Fitout Handover?
Handover usually takes place when the project reaches practical completion.
The exact meaning of practical completion depends on the construction contract, but it generally means the fitout is substantially complete, safe and capable of being used for its intended purpose. There may still be small items to finish, provided they do not prevent the business from occupying or operating from the space.
Before handover, the builder and client will normally conduct a final walkthrough. This is where we inspect the completed work, test key items and record anything that still requires attention.
These outstanding items may be entered into a defects or completion list. Minor paint touch-ups, adjustments to doors, replacement hardware or missing labels are common examples. The list should record the issue clearly, assign responsibility and establish a reasonable timeframe for completion.
Handover should never feel like someone passing over a set of keys and disappearing. It should be a controlled transfer of the premises, information and responsibility.
What documents should you receive at handover?
The documents will vary according to the project, but a commercial fitout handover package may include:
- As-built drawings and updated service layouts
- Product and equipment warranties
- Operation and maintenance manuals
- Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and fire-service records
- Commissioning and testing certificates
- Finishes, paint and flooring schedules
- Keys, access cards, alarm details and security codes
- Relevant approvals, certificates and occupancy documentation
These records matter long after construction has finished. They help with maintenance, insurance, future renovations and warranty claims.
Where work has been completed under a WA building permit, the responsible person named on the permit must generally submit a BA7 Notice of Completion to the permit authority within seven days. Depending on the building and the work completed, an occupancy permit may also be required before a Class 2 to 9 building can be occupied. The applicable documents should be confirmed before the planned move-in date. (Western Australian Government)
Further information and current forms are available through the WA Government’s building approvals information.
What Is the Defects Liability Period?
A defects liability period is an agreed timeframe after practical completion during which the builder can be required to return, inspect and rectify qualifying defects in the completed work.
For a commercial fitout in Western Australia, the period should be stated in the construction contract. There is no single automatic defects liability period that applies to every office, warehouse, retail or medical fitout.
Before signing a contract, check:
- When the period starts
- How long it runs
- How defects must be reported
- Who assesses whether an issue is a defect
- How quickly urgent issues will be addressed
- What happens to retention money or security at final completion
The purpose of the period is not to excuse unfinished or poor-quality work at handover. It recognises that some issues only become apparent once people begin using the premises, equipment starts operating regularly and the building moves through normal temperature and usage changes.
What counts as a construction defect?
A defect may include work that does not meet the agreed drawings, specification, contract or required standard of workmanship.
Examples could include a door that was incorrectly installed and will not close, flooring lifting because of poor installation, a leaking plumbing connection or joinery that does not match the approved drawings.
That is different from incomplete work, which is something the builder has not yet finished. It is also different from normal maintenance, wear and tear or damage caused after handover.
A blocked drain caused by misuse, damage from moving furniture or failure to service mechanical equipment would not automatically become the builder’s responsibility. The cause needs to be assessed fairly rather than assumed.
How Should Commercial Fitout Defects Be Reported?
Report defects in writing through the contact or process stated in your contract.
Include a clear description, the exact location, when the issue was first noticed and photographs where possible. Also explain whether it is affecting safety, security or business operations.
A reliable builder should acknowledge the report, arrange an inspection where needed and explain what will happen next. Sometimes the builder will need to involve a subcontractor, consultant, supplier or product manufacturer before responsibility can be confirmed.
Urgent matters must be treated differently from routine items. A water leak, electrical hazard, security failure or problem affecting safe occupancy should be escalated immediately. A minor paint touch-up can usually be scheduled with other non-urgent work to minimise disruption.
Unless there is an immediate safety risk, give the original builder an opportunity to inspect the issue before another contractor alters or repairs it. Once work has been changed by someone else, it can become much harder to establish the original cause.
From my perspective, communication is the most important part of this stage. Clients do not expect every small issue to be fixed within the hour, but they should know that it has been received, assessed and scheduled.
What Warranties Apply After a Commercial Fitout?
There can be several types of protection operating at the same time, and they should not be confused with one another.
Builder’s contractual obligations
The construction contract, drawings, specifications and approved variations establish what the builder agreed to deliver.
Your contract should explain the builder’s obligations after practical completion, including the defects liability process and any agreed warranty commitments.
This is one reason contract clarity matters when choosing a commercial builder in Perth. It is much easier to resolve an issue when the scope and responsibilities were properly documented before construction started.
Manufacturer and supplier warranties
Products and equipment may have separate manufacturer warranties. These can apply to air-conditioning equipment, appliances, flooring, lighting, door hardware, security systems, specialist coatings and other installed products.
The handover package should identify which warranties have been transferred to the owner or tenant, their duration, maintenance conditions and the correct claim process.
A manufacturer warranty does not always mean the builder is responsible for the product indefinitely. However, a good commercial builder can help identify whether the issue relates to the product itself, the installation or ongoing maintenance.
WA statutory complaint rights
A contractual defects period is not necessarily the only timeframe that may be relevant.
Under WA’s building dispute resolution framework, complaints about allegedly faulty, unsatisfactory or improper regulated building services can generally be lodged with the Building Commissioner within six years of the work’s completion, subject to the legislation and the circumstances of the complaint. This should not be described as a blanket six-year builder’s warranty. It is a statutory timeframe for eligible complaints. (Western Australian Government)
The WA Government provides more information through its building dispute resolution guide.
It is also important not to apply residential rules blindly to commercial work. Section 11 of the Home Building Contracts Act 1991 includes a four-month notification period for defects in qualifying home building work, unless the contract provides a longer period. That provision does not automatically establish the defects period for an ordinary commercial fitout. (WALW)
You can read the current provision in the Home Building Contracts Act 1991.
For a significant dispute or contract interpretation issue, obtain advice specific to your project.
What Should Good Post-Fitout Support Look Like?
Good post-fitout support starts before handover.
The client should know who their contact will be, how issues will be reported and how urgent matters will be handled. There should also be a clear record of outstanding work, warranties and completion documents.
Once the business moves in, the builder may need to coordinate with subcontractors or suppliers, provide maintenance advice or explain how a particular fitting or system should be operated.
For more specialised projects, support after handover becomes even more important. An office fitout may involve data, security and access-control systems, while a medical fitout can include clinical equipment, specialised finishes and operational requirements that need to be understood properly. Chest Constructions delivers commercial, office, industrial and specialist fitout projects across Western Australia. (Chest Constructions)
Post-fitout support may include checking completed defect items, helping locate warranty information, arranging supplier inspections and advising on future changes to the premises.
It does not mean the original builder is automatically responsible for every maintenance issue forever. It means the client is not left guessing about where to go or who to speak with.
What Should You Ask a Builder Before Signing?
Do not wait until handover to ask what happens after handover.
Ask the builder what will be included in the handover package, how long the contractual defects period runs, how issues are logged and who will be your contact after practical completion.
You should also ask which warranties and certificates will be supplied, how urgent defects are prioritised and whether the builder remains available for future alterations or expansion.
A builder who is confident in their process should be willing to discuss these points openly before the contract is signed.
Choose a Builder Who Remains Accountable After Handover
Most clients naturally focus on the quote, construction programme and finished appearance when comparing builders.
Those things matter, but I would also look at how the builder handles documentation, practical completion, defects and communication after the site team leaves.
At Chest Constructions, we see handover as part of the project rather than the end of the relationship. Our work covers commercial fitouts, office projects, healthcare environments and complex commercial construction throughout Perth and regional WA. You can view examples through our commercial construction case studies. (Chest Constructions)
A good fitout should work on opening day. A good builder should also be approachable when you need support after it.
Planning a commercial fitout, renovation or construction project in Western Australia? Contact Chest Constructions to discuss the complete process, from early planning and approvals through to handover and post-fitout support.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a commercial fitout defects period in WA?
There is no single period for every commercial fitout. The timeframe should be stated in the construction contract.
Is practical completion the same as final completion?
No. Practical completion usually permits handover and use of the space, while final completion occurs after outstanding items and qualifying defects are resolved.
Can defects be reported after the contractual period ends?
Possibly. Your rights will depend on the contract, the type of defect, applicable warranties and WA law.
Who handles manufacturer warranty claims?
The handover documents should explain whether the builder will coordinate the claim or whether it has been transferred directly to the client.
What should be included in a fitout handover package?
It may include as-built drawings, compliance certificates, testing records, operation manuals, product warranties, finishes schedules and access information.