Tying up any loose ends at the end of a build is key to ensuring client satisfaction and a problem-free business process – so what can you do to ensure everything runs smoothly?
In this from our Building a better business webinar series the lawyer Sarah Fox shares her advice and guidance on the best ways to close off projects. The session highlights the importance of going through a snagging checklist, issuing a completion certificate, and generally handling the end of the project in such a way that:
- You get paid.
- The customer is left happy and willing to supply testimonials and case studies to use on your Find a Builder profile, as well as making recommendations to their friends and family.
- You can apply any lessons learning in future projects.
The key tips discussed during the webinar include:
- final stage payments process and agreeing extras (happiness check)
- rules governing no further right to enter the premises except with permission and to sort out defects (your client may feel a sense of loss of control here)
- insurance and risk transfer - something to speak to your client about
- snagging and defects - a list before or at completion with joint inspection makes sense, although clients often feel unable to raise issues and feel defensive (you can also bring in new project manager's version)
- start of limitation period - Sarah explains the difference between a defects period and a limitation period
- retentions (if applicable)
