After completion (Tasmania)
What “finished” actually means: final inspections, completion/occupancy paperwork, handover documents, and the responsibilities that continue after the build ends.
Note: This is general information, not legal advice. Always follow your building surveyor’s requirements and any permit conditions.
What “completion” means in practice
A project can look finished but still be “incomplete” in the eyes of compliance. In Tasmania, completion usually means:
- All required inspection stages have been passed
- Required certificates have been collected (trade + engineering, where applicable)
- Final approval / completion documentation has been issued
- The building is lawful to occupy (where occupancy approval applies)
Final inspection (what commonly gets checked)
Your building surveyor will confirm what applies to your project, but final inspection issues often relate to:
- Stairs/handrails/balustrades
- Smoke alarms and essential safety items
- Egress / clearances / glazing where relevant
- Wet area finishes and waterproofing evidence
- Trade certificates (electrical/plumbing etc.)
- Engineering certificates (where required)
- Evidence for hidden work
- Proof any variations were handled correctly
Your completion pack (what to assemble)
This is the “end-of-build folder” you want ready before the final inspection — and it will be valuable for the life of the home.
- Approved plans + permit conditions (planning and building)
- Inspection schedule + passed inspection outcomes
- Engineering certificates (footings/slab/frame etc. where required)
- Trade compliance certificates (electrical/plumbing/drainage/waterproofing etc.)
- Energy/efficiency documents (where applicable)
- As-built notes (if anything differs from the original, documented properly)
- Product manuals and warranties (hot water, appliances, waterproofing systems)
- Photos of hidden work (before it was covered)
Insurance transition: construction → home
Construction insurance is not the same as ongoing home insurance. As you approach completion:
- Confirm when your construction/contract works policy ends
- Confirm when your home/buildings policy begins (including occupancy date)
- Keep cover continuous — no gaps
- Update insurer if you move in, pause works, or stage completion
Defects, fixes, and loose ends
Even a good build has defects and incomplete items. Owner-builders handle this best by using a simple close-out process:
- Item description
- Location/room
- Trade responsible
- Target date
- Get written confirmation of rectification
- Collect final certificates
- Keep photos of the fix
- Only then mark the item “done”
Selling later: don’t let it distract you (but plan for it)
Selling questions usually become stressful when people haven’t collected records. The practical approach is:
- Run a compliant build now (approvals, inspections, evidence)
- Keep a completion pack ready (so you can answer buyer/lender questions later)
- Understand owner-builder-specific disclosure/requirements if you sell (varies by jurisdiction and timing)