12 Must-Check Areas Prior to a Renovation Handover

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Most homeowners practice a simple ocular inspection session with their renovation professionals since they are either too eager to take over their homes or they were simply hard-pressed for time. However, once the renovation works are finished, you should not rush into handing over. In fact, what follows next is one of the most important milestones for any home renovation project. Doing this part well will mean minimal headaches and follow-up efforts to rectify issues and inconveniences, which are caused by the sloppy workmanship.

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Do you know?

You should set aside a minimum of 2 weeks for rectifications and re-inspection, before the final handover of the renovation project by your renovation professional.

The inspection session should be thorough and also cover the defects checklists which you have used when you first receive the keys to your abode. During the session, the best practice is to "leave no stones unturned" by meticulously scrutinising key areas to identify places which have defects or unsatisfactory workmanship. Hence is a list of typical areas which the homeowners should check, before your renovation professional hands over your keys.

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#1. Windows

Ensure that the windows are properly installed and sealed by checking for damp patches or water leaks during the rainy days. Ensure that the windows comply with the HDB guidelines and look out for loose or missing screws. The windows should be able open, close, lock and unlock without any difficulty.

#2. Tiles

Look out for scratched, cracked or hollow tiles and that the tile grout remains even after the chemical wash.

#3. Lighting

Make sure that the lights are properly wired by switching them on and off according to the switches. They should not flicker or cause any trips in the circuit.

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#4. Sanitary ware

Ensure that there is no water leakage around the basin, bathtubs and shower head during and after it is used, by allowing water to run for at least 15 mins. For water closet, check for any leaks around the base after the flush test.

#5. Stagnant water

Look out for any stagnant water by running the water across the kitchen and bathroom floor and leave the air con running at least 30 mins.

#6. Discharge water

Ensure the condensed water from the air con should be discharged into the right places. This means that the air con piping are laid correctly are not blocked. The air con trunking should not leak any water too.

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#7. Air con

Make sure that the air con is functioning correctly by conducting a simple load test for at least half an hour, the air con should feel cool when set at a lower temperature and does not give out strange noises during operation.

#8. Doors

Check that the doors are correctly installed by checking for any loose hinges and loose screws. The doors should "sit parallel" to the floor. The door should be able open, close, lock and unlock without any difficulty. The main and spare keys should be able to lock and unlock the correct doors.

#9. Built in appliances

Make sure that the built in appliances such as ovens and dishwashers are able to operate normally and not cause short circuits once they are turned on.

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#10. Built in carpentry

The cabinet doors should be able to swing open outwards without any obstructions. Check that the correct laminate and kitchen counter top is used by matching against the samples that you have chosen. There should not be any missing screws and that the larger cabinet doors should not sag towards the floor when they are open. 

#11. Painting

Ensure that the wall paint is consistent and even, without any chips or smudges. Remember to ask for a small bottle of left over paint in case you need to touch up the walls after you accidentally chip or dirty the wall.

#12. Pipes

Check that all the kitchen and toilet pipes are not blocked by the left over renovation cement or construction debris. You do not want to end up like this poor homeowner, whose newly renovated HDB is flooded with faecal matter due to blocked sewage pipes.