Completion of the works

Practical completion

Most building contracts specify a time when the works are to be completed. The expression 'practical completion' is generally understood to mean that the contractor has completed the works in accordance with the contract and can hand them over to the employer. See Practice Note: What is practical completion?

Definitions of practical completion range from 'nearly but not quite complete' to 'complete for practical purposes' but there is no formal definition accepted by the industry as a whole. Most of the standard form contracts do not define practical completion. If the parties would prefer to include an express definition, see also Precedent: Practical completion definition.

Once the contractor is satisfied that the works have reached practical completion, the employer's representative and the contractor will inspect the project. If it is agreed that practical completion has been achieved, a practical completion certificate/statement will be issued. This can happen despite minor defects (not affecting the employer's ability to use the works) remaining in the works which the contractor will rectify. See Precedent: Snagging clause.

Where the building contract splits the works into sections there

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