Schedule of defects
A schedule of defects (or defects schedule) is issued by the contract administrator at the end of defects liability period. It identifies defects (aspects of the works that are not in accordance with the contract) that have become apparent during the defects liability period.
The contract administrator and the contractor then agree a reasonable period within which the contractor will rectify the defects identified on the schedule. Once the contract administrator is satisfied that the defects have been rectified, they issue a certificate of making good defects which has the effect of allowing the final certificate to be issued, releasing any remaining retention.
It is important to note that the defects liability period is not a chance to correct problems apparent at practical completion, it is a period during which the contractor may be recalled to rectify defects which appear. If there are defects apparent before practical completion, then these should be rectified before a certificate of practical completion is issued. See the article on practical completion for more information.
NB: Under NEC contracts, at, or just after the defects date the supervisor issues a defects certificate, which either certifies that there are no patent defects, or lists any uncorrected defects. This is analogous to the schedule of defects. See Defects certificate for more information.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Certificate of making good defects.
- Contract administrator.
- De minimis.
- Defects.
- Defects certificate.
- Defects liability period.
- Handover to client.
- Latent defects.
- Liquidated damages.
- Migration strategy.
- Opening up works for inspection and testing.
- Patent defects.
- Practical completion.
- Protecting and storing rebar.
- Punch list.
- Remedial work.
- Retention.
- Schedule.
- Schedule of condition.
- Site inspection.
- Soft landings.
- Substantial completion.
Featured articles and news
Commissioning Responsibilities Framework BG 88/2025
BSRIA guidance on establishing clear roles and responsibilities for commissioning tasks.
An architectural movement to love or hate.
Don’t take British stone for granted
It won’t survive on supplying the heritage sector alone.
The remarkable story of a Highland architect.
The Constructing Excellence Value Toolkit
Driving value-based decision making in construction.
Meet CIOB event in Northern Ireland
Inspiring the next generation of construction talent.
Reasons for using MVHR systems
6 reasons for a whole-house approach to ventilation.
Supplementary Planning Documents, a reminder
As used by the City of London to introduce a Retrofit first policy.
The what, how, why and when of deposit return schemes
Circular economy steps for plastic bottles and cans in England and Northern Ireland draws.
Join forces and share Building Safety knowledge in 2025
Why and how to contribute to the Building Safety Wiki.
Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regs
Approved amendment coming into effect 1 March 2025.
A new CIOB TIS on discharging CDM 2015 duties
Practical steps that can be undertaken in the Management of Contractors to discharge the relevant CDM 2015 duties.
Planning for homes by transport hubs
Next steps for infrastructure following the updated NPPF.
Access, history and Ty unnos.
The world’s first publicly funded civic park.
Exploring permitted development rights for change of use
Discussing lesser known classes M, N, P, PA and L.
CIOB Art of Building photo contest 2024 winners
Fresco School by Roman Robroek and Once Upon a Pass by Liam Man.