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Conducting Inspections Before Closeout
With the issuance of a building permit, the local permitting authority will schedule inspections—random, scheduled, or both. Contractors know that they must have these inspections with the proper signatures and "tags" in order to complete the job and obtain a Certificate of Occupancy and ultimately the license for the grantee to operate.
Most architects have identified specific points in the construction schedule and contract that will require their inspection or the inspection of the project manager. One such point is an inspection of the footers before any concrete is poured. Other points of inspection include any work by the contractor or subcontractors that will be enclosed or covered before the next task, for example, rough-in plumbing and electrical, framing, flooring, roofing, and infrastructure (sewer, water, gas, etc.).
The final walk-through should divide the
work into inspections for quality and completeness of inside and
outside construction. (Refer to the Final Inspection Tip Sheet section.) A punch list should be developed based on a final inspection. If the facility is acceptable to the grantee, the contractor will receive a "Certificate of Completion" from the architect, which stops the contract clock. Normally, the architect will issue the "Certificate of Completion" if the work is 90-95 percent complete.
Once the contractor has finished all work, including the punch list, the grantee will conduct another inspection expecting 100 percent completion. At that point, the contractor should complete the contractor's "Release of Liens" and "Contractor's Interest" forms. The contractor also should provide all warranties with an explanation of the warranty period and names, address,
and phone numbers of points of contacts.
Final Inspection
Tip Sheet
Inside Inspection
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Inspect flooring first. All tiles should have
straight lines. There should not be any cut tile in the middle of
the floor.
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Check baseboards and trim for proper fit in
corners and ensure there are no gaps between the floor and the
trim.
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Check walls to insure paint is evenly applied
without runs. Search for evidence of lightly covered painted areas
and visible drywall seams or nail heads.
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Check ceiling grid for straight lines and
uniform pattern. Insure all lights are working and ample light is
present.
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Check all new classroom/room components,
including sinks, windows, restroom fixtures, changing tables, and
shelves.
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As you list each item on the punch list, label
each room separately and record each finding according to that
room.
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Repeat for all rooms, areas, and
spaces.
Outside Inspection
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Inspect each component of outside work the
same as inside work.
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Take plans and compare work with
plans.
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Record each finding with elements on
plans.
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Check specifications of
installed components, especially when the architect is using
manufacturers' drawings.
Warranty Period
The warranty period is a period of time during
which all items used in a facility, including labor, are the
responsibility of the contractor or a manufacturer. By law, the
warranty period must extend for a minimum of one year. However, due
to the nature of some equipment and materials used, some warranty
periods will extend for five years or longer.
The general contractor is responsible for all
work, materials, supplies, and equipment. The grantee should retain
the names, addresses, phone numbers and any other contact
information on the contractor and the manufacturers of
equipment.
In the Special Conditions section of your
construction contract the grantee may stipulate that the contractor
and all suppliers of equipment and mechanical devices provide the
maintenance staff with at least one day of training on all equipment
installed in the new facility. Many new HVAC systems are complex and
require operator training.
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