Construction & infrastructure · 7 min read
The contractor has gone and the keys are yours. The months that follow are when hidden problems appear, so it helps to know how the aftercare phase works.
Once interior or exterior works are finished, the contract does not simply end. A well-written agreement leaves a defects period during which the contractor returns to correct faults in workmanship, and separate warranties may cover specific materials or products. Your job in this phase is to notice problems early, report them in writing, and keep records so that every claim can be traced to the work that caused it.
This article follows a project through its aftercare stage. It is general guidance only. The exact period, terms and exclusions come from your own contract and from the manufacturers' documents, so read those carefully.
Many faults do not show on the day of handover. Timber and board products react to moisture and temperature over several months. Paint and plaster show hairline cracks only after they dry and the building settles slightly. Joinery hinges loosen with use. Leaks from hidden pipes often appear only after a few cycles of heavy use or the first heavy rains.
For this reason, a finish that looks perfect at inspection is not a finish that has been proven. The defects period exists because the industry accepts that some faults are discovered only through use.
People often use these words as if they mean the same. They do not.
| Type of cover | What it generally means |
|---|---|
| Defects period | A time written into the contract during which the contractor agrees to return and correct faults in their own workmanship or materials, at their cost |
| Manufacturer warranty | A promise from the maker of a product such as a door, a fitting, a floor or a paint system, usually limited to manufacturing faults and subject to proper installation and use |
A defects period is a matter between you and your contractor. A warranty comes from a manufacturer and often requires you to hold proof of purchase and installation. When something goes wrong, the first question is which of the two applies. A badly fitted door that sticks is a workmanship matter. A hinge that breaks under normal use may be a product matter.
Ask what is excluded before you sign
Every warranty has exclusions, and they are usually where disputes begin. Typical exclusions include misuse, lack of upkeep, damage from water entry that was not caused by the product, and repairs done by someone else. Ask for the exclusions in writing and read them before you commit to a product or a contractor.
Use the space normally and watch it, instead of waiting for the end of the defects period. In the early weeks, walk through each area with a notebook now and then and look for the following.
Report each item as soon as you see it. Delay weakens your position, because the contractor can argue that the fault came from later use or from someone else.
A phone call is easy to forget and hard to prove. Send a short written message, by email or letter, that states what the fault is, where it is, when you noticed it, and attaches clear photographs. Keep a log with the date of each report and the date of each visit. Ask the contractor to confirm a date for inspection.
When the contractor attends, ask what caused the fault. A repair that treats only the surface, such as repainting over a damp patch, will not hold if the source is a leak. Where the cause is unclear, ask for it to be investigated before the area is closed up again.
If a fault involves safety, such as a hot switch, a smell of burning, or a ceiling that sags, stop using the area and call a qualified professional at once. Do not attempt a repair yourself, and tell the contractor in writing as well.
The contract decides this, but some patterns are common. Faults caused by poor workmanship or by materials that do not match the agreed specification are generally the contractor's responsibility during the defects period. Wear from normal use, damage from accidents, and problems caused by changes you or another trade made afterwards are generally the owner's responsibility.
Disputes arise in the grey area between the two. A written record from handover, including photographs and a list of any open items, helps a great deal, because it shows the condition on the day the contractor left.
A shop owner and a lifting laminate edge
A small retailer has a new counter and display wall installed. Two months later, the laminate edge near a cleaning point begins to lift. The owner photographs it, notes the date, and writes to the contractor. On inspection, the contractor finds the edge was sealed properly, but a cleaning routine used a lot of water at the joint. The edge is repaired as a goodwill gesture, and the owner agrees to change the cleaning method. The record helped both sides to settle quickly and calmly.
Many warranties assume you will look after the product as the maker intends. Keep the care instructions for each material and follow them. In general, good upkeep means the following.
Exterior finishes need a regular look. Check paint, sealants and joints on facades after each season, and have small cracks and gaps sealed early so water cannot enter and cause bigger problems.
Before the defects period ends, do a final walk-through and list anything still unresolved. Send the list to the contractor in writing, with a request to complete the work before the period closes. If any retention money, meaning an amount held back from the contractor until the defects period ends, is due for release, release it only when the open items are cleared, or agree in writing how the balance will be treated. The terms depend on your contract, so check them before you act.
At the end, store the following in one folder: the contract, the final drawings and specification, product and warranty documents, the defect log with photographs, and any completion record. A tidy file saves effort when you sell, lease, renovate again or claim under a warranty.
Plan the aftercare phase before the work starts, so the contract spells out the defects period, the reporting method and the release of any retention. If you want a second pair of eyes on your interior or exterior contract and handover plan, Lalsar Infra can review the paperwork with you.
Key terms
Questions
There is no single answer. The period is whatever your contract states, and it can differ for different parts of the work. Many owners agree a period that is long enough for a full seasonal cycle, so moisture and temperature effects show up. Agree the length in writing before work starts, and check it with your advisor or a legal professional.
Only if your contract allows it. Many contracts hold back a retention amount for exactly this reason. Withholding money outside the contract can create a dispute of its own, so read the payment terms and, if needed, take professional advice first.
Usually not by itself. Most manufacturer warranties cover defects in the product and depend on correct installation. If the fault comes from poor installation, the contractor's own workmanship cover is generally the route to follow.
Keep the contract, the specification, drawings, product and warranty papers, invoices, handover photographs, and your defect log. Together they show what was agreed, what was delivered and what has been reported since.
Keep sending written reminders and keep a record. Review the contract for notice and dispute steps. If the contractor remains silent, get a written opinion from an independent professional on the fault and consider formal steps with legal advice.
Keep reading
Share a few details and our team will follow up.
