All phases
9
Final Inspections & Handover
Certificate of Occupancy, punch list, and keys in the homeowner's hand.
Typical duration: 1–3 weeks
3 steps
0/17 complete
13–10 days
Municipal Final Inspections & Certificate of Occupancy
All trade finals, energy verification, and the CO that makes the house legally habitable.
Builder / Super
Inspections
Prerequisites & handoff
- All trade finals scheduled
- Site clean and safe
- Address numbers posted
Critical measurements & tolerances
- Blower-door and duct-leakage results at or under code targets, documented
- Egress windows: min 5.7 sq ft net clear opening (5.0 at grade floor), 24" clear height, 20" clear width, sill max 44" AFF
- Guardrails at any walking surface more than 30" above grade; 4" sphere rule
- Smoke / CO alarms interconnected and functioning
- Handrail graspability and continuity along the full flight
- Address numbers min 4" high, contrasting, visible from the street
Permits & inspection milestones
- Building final inspection
- Plumbing / mechanical / electrical finals
- Energy compliance certificate posted at the panel
- Final grading and erosion control release
- Certificate of Occupancy issued
Field tips & tricks
- Run your own mock final with the code checklist two days before the inspector. Fix the five items you find quietly.
- Have the permit card, approved plans, truss drawings, energy certificate and test reports in one binder on the counter.
- Take the SWPPP down only after final grading release — an early removal can hold your CO.
Reference documents
View in library →- International Residential Code (IRC) — free read · Code reference
- International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) · Code reference
- Final Inspection & CO Readiness Form· Inspection form
- RESNET HERS & Blower-Door Testing Standards · Industry standard
Field checklist
0 / 6 complete- All trade finals passed
- Energy certificate posted
- Egress and guard dimensions verified
- Alarms tested
- Grading release obtained
- Certificate of Occupancy in hand
21–2 weeks
QA Punch List & Final Clean
Builder punch, trade returns, verification punch, then detail clean.
Builder / Super
Prerequisites & handoff
- CO issued or pending
- All trades notified of punch window
Critical measurements & tolerances
- Doors and drawers operate and align; reveals consistent
- Paint inspected under raking light and normal room lighting from 6' distance
- Every window and door opens, locks, and weather-strips
- All fixtures, outlets, and switches operated once and logged
- Grout and caulk lines continuous at all wet-area changes of plane
Permits & inspection milestones
- None — internal quality gate
Field tips & tricks
- Punch room by room, clockwise, ceiling to floor. Blue tape everything and photograph each tag into the punch log.
- Hold trade retainage until punch items are verified, not just reported complete.
- Do the final clean after punch, then lock the house. One trade walking through undoes a $900 clean.
Reference documents
View in library →- QA Punch List & Homeowner Walkthrough Form· Inspection form
- Sherwin-Williams Surface Prep & Application Guide · Install guide
- NAHB Residential Construction Performance Guidelines · Industry standard
Field checklist
0 / 5 complete- Builder punch complete
- Trades returned and verified
- Second verification punch clean
- Final detail clean done
- House locked and keyed
31–2 days
Homeowner Orientation & Keys Handover
Walk the house, train the owner on systems, deliver documents, hand over keys.
Builder / Super
Prerequisites & handoff
- CO issued
- Punch closed
- Warranty package assembled
Critical measurements & tolerances
- Demonstrate: main water shutoff, gas shutoff, panel and breakers, thermostat, GFCI reset, irrigation timer
- Filter sizes and replacement intervals written down
- Warranty terms: typically 1 year workmanship, 2 years systems, 10 years structural
Permits & inspection milestones
- Certificate of Occupancy delivered to homeowner
- Utility accounts transferred
Field tips & tricks
- Record the orientation walk on video and send it to the homeowner. It eliminates half of the year-one calls.
- Deliver a binder and a digital folder: CO, permits, manuals, warranties, paint colors with sheens, and every test report.
- Schedule the 30-day and 11-month warranty visits at the handover while everyone is happy.
Reference documents
View in library →- QA Punch List & Homeowner Walkthrough Form· Inspection form
- NAHB Residential Construction Performance Guidelines · Industry standard
Field checklist
0 / 6 complete- Systems orientation completed
- Documents and warranties delivered
- Paint and finish schedule provided
- Utilities transferred
- Keys, remotes, and codes handed over
- Warranty visits scheduled