After Completion & Selling (ACT)
Owner-building doesn’t end the day the tools go away. The practical goal after completion is: keep evidence organised, understand any ongoing obligations, and avoid surprises if you sell.
General information only. Confirm requirements with your certifier, council, and legal/insurance advisors for your situation.
Keep your evidence
Certificates, approvals, invoices, photos, and variations.
Know what continues
Defects and compliance questions can come later.
If you sell
Selling can trigger disclosures and specific obligations.
Printable / copyable checklist
Copy and paste into notes or email
AFTER COMPLETION (ACT) — QUICK CHECKLIST
1) Confirm final sign-offs
- Ensure all required inspections are completed
- Obtain final certificates / occupation approval (as applicable)
- Confirm any DA/CDC conditions have been satisfied
2) Build your “evidence pack” (keep in one folder)
- Plans / drawings / specs (final versions)
- Approval documents (DA/CDC / building approval)
- Certifier correspondence and compliance evidence
- Inspection records + compliance certificates
- Engineering certificates (if applicable)
- Waterproofing certificates and photos
- Electrical / plumbing compliance certificates
- Variations / scope changes (what changed and why)
- Invoices / receipts / supplier documents
- Photos of key stages (pre-lining, waterproofing, structural, final)
3) Defects and finishing
- Keep a running defects list (date found, who fixed, proof)
- Document rectification work (photos + invoices)
4) Ongoing responsibility mindset
- If compliance questions arise later, you’ll be asked for evidence
- Good records are your protection
5) If you sell (important)
- Selling-related obligations are separate from construction-phase responsibilities
- You may need to disclose that work was owner-built and provide documents
- Check ACT rules for timeframes and any insurance / warranty requirements
- Get advice early if selling is planned
Practical tip
Create a single folder called “Owner-Builder Evidence Pack” and treat it like a handover file.
If someone asks “prove it”, you should be able to answer in minutes.
What to keep (evidence pack — explained)
Approvals & certificates
- Planning approval pathway docs (DA/CDC)
- Building approval documents
- Occupation certificate / final approval
- Compliance certificates (where applicable)
Photos (yes, they matter)
- Waterproofing stages (before tiling)
- Structural stages (before coverings)
- Service rough-ins (before lining)
- Anything you’ll never see again once closed up
Trades & compliance
- Electrical compliance documents
- Plumbing compliance documents
- Waterproofing certificate (and photos)
- Engineering certifications (if used)
Variations & invoices
- Scope changes (what changed, date, reason)
- Supplier docs and warranties
- Invoices/receipts for materials and trades
- Any dispute-related records (keep calm, keep everything)
You don’t have to be perfect — you just need a system that makes evidence easy to find later.
If you sell later
Selling within certain timeframes can trigger additional obligations. The key practical point: selling topics are separate from the responsibilities you have while building.
Don’t let “selling later” distract you
Focus first on approvals, inspections, and construction-phase protections — that’s what prevents the biggest problems.
Then keep your evidence pack tidy so selling later is straightforward.