What to check for when signing off on a loft?

[alltheworld]

We are about ten days off the loft being finished and the final payment is due when we are completely happy.
So far I want to make sure that the new thermostat is working, the bathroom plumbed in properly, that we have the guarantees etc, the building certificate.. Is that reasonable? Anything else?

Put light bulbs in and check the lights work. We had spotlights and didn't put a bulb in the additional pendant light for a few weeks and it didn't work!

If they haven't already done it, get a mini trap-door fitted over the postion of the light fitting in the floor below. In years to come if there are any issues it'll save carving the floor up. You can carpet over it etc but at least you know it's there.

Most people I know - including us - didn't end up paying the last payment due to snags never being finished....

I'd check the roof from yr window. That was the majority of snags for us.

As mentioned check everything turns on and off, opens and shuts etc.

Run the shower for a bit to check for leaks.

Despite the snags not being fixed we love our loft.

Good luck.

Mrsmargo Well done, you've reminded me, that's exactly right. They never collected our final 5k but I struggle to remember what the final snagging was now. It was 15yrs ago. Just make sure you've got your Cert of Lawful development and your Building Regs cert.

Get electrical certificate and make sure building inspectors have signed it off. We asked for guarantees for our velux windows and fibreglass roof, but they were not forthcoming.

Oh and the scaffolders broke several roof tiles putting the scaffolding up, and the builders broke several paving slabs, so we got those replaced.

Make sure you get building regs certificate before you pay the final instalment.

Check the drainage from the shower to make sure there are no leaks.

Get sign-off for all the vitals would be my advice: Building Regs, no way on earth pay the last instalment until that is proffered. Electrics cert, and FENSA if a separate one is required. If you don't have a good eye go around with a spirit level checking sockets, plugs and frames are horizontal. And the obvious checking everything works! Liberate the window keys if windows have locks, too.

Make sure you do get the building reg completion certificate, as it really will cost you if you don't when you try to sell your house.

Thanks all v helpful.
He looked very surprised when I said I wanted the guarantee for the Windows and boiler.
Will ask again for those and for building regs, elec cert, window keys etc. Throughout he has been one to just say stuff rather than email. So hard to prove what he said he would do.

Throughout he has been one to just say stuff rather than email

I have followed up conversations with my builder with an email "to confirm, as discussed today please do x and y as additional work to the quote at approx price £x based on assumptions . You will provide and do "