Define the handover standard
Write down expectations for each element. Are walls simply boarded, or also plastered and painted? Is the floor ready for a finish, or is that finish supplied? Include sealant, skirting, cleaning and waste removal.
What remains to be done in the existing home?
Even extensive prefabrication leaves on-site connections to complete. Consider the wall opening, existing services, level differences and garden reinstatement. Fast installation of the building element is different from the total project duration.
Use one finish schedule for every quotation
Keep your design together with a finish schedule. This helps answer questions and identify differences between offers. The configurator records choices; the contractor confirms which are included in the contract.
| Element | What to consider |
|---|---|
| Shell | Ask which external finishes and services are included. |
| Interior finishes | Specify the agreed finish for walls, floor and ceiling. |
| Connection work | Record repairs to the existing house and garden separately. |
Describe the first day after handover
Can you furnish the room immediately, or does it still need painting, flooring or heating connections? List those tasks, including skirtings, sockets, switches and repairs to the original room. Compare an agreed finished result rather than an attractive label on a quotation.