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
Designing sustainability and performance into buildings
Specifying and selecting sustainable resilient timber products.
Modifying wood to improve resistance to decay and movement.
A last minute, long look for built environment professionals.
The architecture of creative reuse. Book review.
Installing solar panels on listed structures.
Sustainable development global goals, history in progress?
"Unless we act now, the 2030 Agenda will become an epitaph for a world that might have been."
Mike Kagioglou FCIOB named CIOB President
'Sustainable Development Goals must be focus for construction'
BSRIA training; a look at what's on offer
From energy management to compliance training.
TESP video warns to beware of rogue trainers.
Highlighting the slippery tactics of non-approved providers.
New Building Safety Wiki launched
Boosting awareness and understanding of the new fire safety regime.
New playbook on AI in construction published by CIOB
How to get to grips with, and the best from AI.
Digital Construction Report NBS
BIM, cloud, off-site, immersive tech, AI, twins and sustainability.
ECA learning zone and industry focus video series
From updates and amendments to circular economy, emergency lighting and much more.
The Building People Communities Network
Celebrating and amplifying voices of the under-represented, this refugee week and pride month.
Pride of Place: queer heritage
Acknowledging and taking pride in LGBTQ histories.