Is your remodeling project nearing the end, but you're unsure if it's truly finished? It’s a common concern for many homeowners—projects that seem complete on the surface often hide unfinished details, causing frustration and stress later on. If you don't know what to look for, you risk moving back into a space that's not functional or safe.
We understand the importance of knowing your remodel is ready for use. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, we've helped countless homeowners navigate this crucial final stage, ensuring that every project is completed to their complete satisfaction. At Custom Built Design & Remodeling, we use “Substantially Complete” as the term to describe a project that is finished and ready for use.
In this article, you'll learn seven key ways to know if your remodeling project is substantially complete, helping you avoid unfinished details and giving you confidence that your newly remodeled space is ready to be enjoyed.
- All Fixtures and Finishes Are Installed
- All Major Installations Are Functional
- All Building Inspections Have Been Approved
- Major and Minor Cleanup Has Been Done
- You Can Fully Use the Space
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Final Walkthroughs Are Completed and a Punch List/Warranty List is Created With a Completion Date
- You’ve Made Your Final Payment and Are Enjoying Your Home
1. All Fixtures and Finishes Are Installed
Fixtures and finishes are the final design elements that complete the look of your remodel. Whether it’s light fixtures, faucets, doorknobs, or trim work, these details are typically installed toward the end of the project. If all your chosen finishes are in place, from cabinet hardware to flooring transitions, it’s a strong indicator that your remodel is nearing completion.
2. All Major Installations Are Functional
One of the clearest signs that your project is nearing completion is that all major mechanicals are in place and operational. This includes essential systems like plumbing, electrical, and HVAC, as well as appliances, fixtures, and key structural elements.
For example, if you’ve remodeled a kitchen, you’ll want to ensure that countertops, cabinets, and flooring are installed and that appliances are hooked up and functioning. While some touch-ups like cabinet adjustments or paint repairs may remain, the core systems should be ready for everyday use.
3. All Building Inspections Have Been Approved
At various stages of a remodel, local building inspections are required to ensure the work meets safety standards and building codes. A remodeling project is complete once all necessary inspections have been passed.
This includes checking electrical wiring, plumbing, and any structural changes. Receiving final inspection approvals from local authorities indicates that your space is safe and ready for occupancy, a key milestone for completion.
4. Major and Minor Cleanup Has Been Done
Once the bulk of the construction and installation work is finished, your contractor should arrange a thorough cleanup of the job site. At Custom Built, we take this step very seriously and ensure that professional cleaning is conducted at the end of each project. This meticulous process includes removing tools, excess materials, and debris from the area, wiping down surfaces, and vacuuming to ensure the space is presentable.
While some final touch-ups may be necessary, a clean and orderly space indicates that the project is in its final phase and enhances your anticipation of the completed work. This attention to detail helps create an inviting environment where you can envision yourself enjoying your newly remodeled space.
5. You Can Fully Use the Space
One of the simplest ways to determine whether your project is complete is whether you can fully use the space. Can you cook in your new kitchen, shower in your remodeled bathroom, or move furniture onto your composite deck? If the space is functional and comfortable, even with a few remaining details to be finished, it’s a sign that completion has been achieved.
6. Final Walkthroughs Are Completed and a Punch List/Warranty List is Created With a Completion Date
At Custom Built, we have two final walk throughs. A production walk through and a final project walk through with your project development advisor.
Production Walk Through
The first walk through is the Production Walk Through. This step occurs once our team has completed the bulk of the construction work. During this walk through, you can tour the project site with our construction team.
We’ll review all the completed aspects of the project, ensuring everything meets the agreed-upon specifications and quality standards. This is your chance to inspect the workmanship and address any concerns before we move on to the finishing touches. Our team will explain any remaining tasks, such as painting, flooring, or final installations, so you clearly understand what to expect next.
There’s a list that’s created in production. Those items that can be completed prior to the final contractor walkthrough will be scheduled and resolved. Then, there will be a separate list converted to a warranty list for items that need to be ordered in.
At the end of any remodeling project, your contractor should provide you with project documentation, including warranties, maintenance instructions, and any relevant permits. Reviewing this documentation ensures you know how to care for your newly remodeled space and addresses any outstanding concerns. Once you’ve reviewed these documents, you’ll know that the project is substantially complete and well-documented for the future.
Final Project Walk Through
The second walkthrough is the Final Project Walk Through with your dedicated Project Development Advisor. This meeting typically occurs after all work has been completed, allowing us to present the finished project to you. Your Project Development Advisor will guide you through every detail, highlighting features and functionality that you may want to keep in mind as you start using your newly remodeled space.
During this walk through, we’ll also discuss any final adjustments that might be needed and ensure that everything aligns with your vision and expectations. This is an important opportunity for you to provide feedback and for us to confirm that you are completely satisfied with the end result.
We’ll acknowledge any items that didn’t get completed then have that included in our warranty list.
Punch List/Warranty List is Created With a Completion Date
A punch list is a checklist of minor items that must be addressed before the project is officially completed. This can include things like minor paint touch-ups, correcting cabinet hardware installation, adjusting a door, and adjusting a light fixture. If your punch list is short and limited to small, non-essential fixes, that’s a good sign your project is substantially complete. A lengthy punch list filled with larger, more critical tasks would show that your remodel still has a way to go.
Even replacing a cabinet door or addressing a manufacturer’s defective product can result in longer lead times, which is why having a clear punch list is so important for transparency. Items such as mismatched plumbing finishes due to manufacturer warranty issues or any other defects are typically included on this list.
Although these punch list items may take time to resolve, the space remains usable while waiting for their completion. In these cases, orders have already been placed to address the issues, and your contractor is still actively working to finish the remaining tasks.
At Custom Built, punch list items, particularly those with long lead times, are covered under our warranty. Once the final payment is made, these items are converted from the punch list to the warranty list, ensuring continued accountability.
This process ensures that items that take 2-6 weeks to arrive are documented and remain on the warranty list until they are addressed. Whether it’s cabinetry, plumbing, or other manufacturer-related delays, we maintain the space’s usability while managing these long lead-time items through our warranty process—similar to how long lead times are managed when waiting for car parts.
7. You’ve Made Your Final Payment and Are Enjoying Your Home
Now that your project is complete and your warranty list has been generated, you can confidently make your final payment, knowing that the remaining items will be addressed upon delivery. You can now fully enjoy your home, with the peace of mind that over the next year, any potential workmanship issues will be handled. As you use your new space, minor items like drywall cracks may arise. These can be addressed during your one-year walkthrough with your contractor, giving you added assurance that any issues will be taken care of under your warranty.
Over the next 6-8 weeks, after all final warranty-related tasks are completed, it’s important to document any workmanship issues that may arise and report them to your contractor. These items will typically be consolidated into your one-year warranty list, unless they significantly affect your ability to use the space or pose a major safety or mechanical issue. Issues like hairline cracks in drywall or other minor concerns are common as materials settle. Rest assured, all of these will be captured and addressed during your one-year walkthrough. You can keep track of any issues throughout the year, or we can maintain the list for you, ensuring nothing is overlooked.
At Custom Built, we offer both an “Initial Substantial Warranty List” and a “One-Year Walkthrough Warranty List,” so you can be sure that we’ll take care of you now and when we return in a year to review any additional concerns. This process lowers any anxiety you may have, knowing all your items will be taken care of. Just like buying a new car, where workmanship-related issues may appear over time, the same can happen in your home—but we’ll be there to address them.
Next Steps to Remodeling Your Home
When your remodeling project is nearing completion, it’s easy to miss important details that could cause headaches down the road. You don’t want to move into a space that’s not truly finished, leaving you with lingering issues and frustration.
By following these 7 key indicators, you can confidently assess whether your remodeling project is substantially complete. From functional checks to aesthetic touch-ups, you're equipped to ensure everything is finished, safe, and ready for use.
At Custom Built Design & Remodeling, we understand how stressful it can be to feel uncertain about the final stage of your remodel. With over 15 years of experience delivering top-quality projects, we’ve guided homeowners through this process repeatedly, ensuring no detail is overlooked.
Ready to make sure your home remodel is fully complete? Contact our team of design-build experts today to discuss your project, or explore our blog for more helpful insights on managing your remodeling journey from start to finish.
Now that you know more about the importance of deck drainage systems, let’s take a look at whether a design-build firm like Custom Built is right for you, how we will approach your project, and other ways to vet your remodeling partner options:
- Top 4 Differences Between a Design-Build Firm and a General Contractor - A comparison between design-build firms and general contractors that highlights the pros and cons that each remodeling company brings to the table.
- Dream, Design, and Build: Our Remodeling Process - This guide details how we at Custom Built will approach your remodeling project, including who you will work with and when to expect each crucial step of your renovation to occur.
- Top 8 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Remodeling Contractor - A list of essential questions to ask your prospective remodeling contractor before hiring them for your project; additional questions are included in each section.
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