Handover and close out
NB The 2020 edition of the RIBA Plan of Work has renamed this stage 'Handover'.
The process for completing the design and construction of a building is often divided into notional ‘stages’. This can be helpful in establishing milestones for the submission of progress reports, the preparation of information for approval, client gateways, and for making payments. However there is a great deal of ambiguity between the naming of stages by different organisations and the definition of what individual stages include (see comparison of work stages). As a result, it is important that appointment documents make it clear explicitly what activities fall within which stage, and what level of detail is required, rather than relying on rather vague stage names.
‘Handover and Close Out’ was a new phrase coined by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) for the 2013 Plan of Work. This plan comprised eight work stages, and its new terminology, stage referencing system and lack of detail have generated some criticism.
- 0 - Strategic definition.
- 1 - Preparation and brief.
- 2 - Concept design.
- 3 - Developed design.
- 4 - Technical design.
- 5 - Construction.
- 6 - Handover and close out.
- 7 - In use.
The RIBA states that Stage 6, Handover and Close Out maps broadly to the former Stage L: Post Practical Completion.
They describe the activities carried out during the stage as, ‘handover of building and conclusion of building contract’ including updating ‘as constructed’ information, commissioning, training and perhaps post-occupancy evaluation following the ‘soft landings’ process. Presumably the stage also includes tasks associated with the defects liability period and issuing the final certificate, although these are not described.
Previously, this stage might have been described as the ‘defects liability period’, the period which begins on certification of practical completion at the end of the construction stage and typically lasts six to twelve months, during which the client takes possession of the site, defects are rectified and then the final certificate issued. This is perhaps a better description of the stage and in the Designing Buildings Wiki project plans, we describe this stage as the ‘occupation and defects liability period’
The 2020 edition of the RIBA Plan of Work has renamed this stage 'Handover'.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Appointing consultants.
- BREEAM Handover.
- Comparison of work stages.
- Creating an asset register for construction projects.
- Defects liability period.
- Designing Buildings Wiki Project plans.
- Developed design.
- Handover to client.
- Migration strategy.
- RIBA Plan of Work.
- Soft landings.
- Traditional contract: occupation and defects liability period.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
Top 50 firms awarded 52bn of projects in the last year
New engineering data shows.
Enhancing construction site reporting efficiency
Through digitisation and the digital revolution.
Noise in the built environment
BSRIA guide TG 20/2021.
17,000 people suffer conditions as a result of exposure to excessive noise at work.
Turning down the noise: Auditory health
A pervasive risk with far-reaching consequences.
UK Construction Week, London is here !
Debuting major international pavilions and much more.
Getting the most out of heat pumps and heating
How heat pumps work and how they work best.
Plumbing and heating for successful retrofit and renovation
Low temperature underfloor systems and heat pumps.
Cost-of-living crisis and home improvement plans
Starting on the right footing and top tips for projects.
Delays on construction projects
Types, mitigation and the acceleration of works.
From Chaucer to Fawlty Towers.
Electrotechnical excellence, now open for entries.
Net zero electricity grids BSRIA guide NZG 5/2024
Outlining the changes needed to transition to net zero.
CIOB Global Student Challenge 2024
Universitas Indonesia wins for second year running.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.