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Dormer handover: what to check before you sign off

Handover is your last moment of leverage. Walk the project once outside, once inside, and one more time around the lead detail — and write down anything that needs finishing before the final payment goes.
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Short answer

Inspect the dormer in three loops: the outside (cladding, lead, flashing, finish), the inside (frames, plaster, paint, ventilation), and the workspace (waste removed, no damage to the rest of the house). Write a snag list, agree fix dates, and hold back 5–10% until everything is closed off.

Outside checks

  • Cladding panels straight, no visible joins lifting.
  • Window frames flush, seals fully pressed in.
  • Roof covering (zinc, EPDM or bitumen) without bubbles or gaps.
  • Drip edges and corner trims neatly finished.
  • No paint or sealant on the roof tiles below.

Inside checks

  • Windows open, close and lock smoothly.
  • Plasterboard joints filled, sanded and ready for paint (or painted if agreed).
  • Skirting and reveals straight, mitres tight.
  • Power sockets and ventilation grilles working.
  • No condensation marks on the new glazing or frames.

Lead and waterproofing

The lead apron at the base of the dormer is the single most common source of leaks years later. Check that the lead is dressed into the tile profile, not just laid on top, and that the upstands behind the cladding are sealed.

The snag list

A snag list is a short written list of small unfinished items, each with a fix date. Sign the rest of the project as accepted so the main work is closed; the retention covers only the open items.

Full handover checklist

Checklist

Tick before signing

  1. 01Walked around the outside with the installer.
  2. 02Walked through the inside with the installer.
  3. 03Lead detail inspected and photographed.
  4. 04All windows opened, closed and locked.
  5. 05Snag list written and dated.
  6. 06Fix dates agreed for each snag item.
  7. 07Warranty certificate handed over.
  8. 08Maintenance instructions handed over.
  9. 09Brand and product info of installed materials given.
  10. 10Final invoice matches the quote (no surprise extras).
  11. 11Retention amount agreed in writing.
  12. 12Skip and waste fully removed from the property.

FAQ

FAQ

Veelgestelde vragen

01Do I have to sign the handover the same day?
No. You may take 24–48 hours to inspect the work properly. A reasonable company will leave the handover sheet with you and pick it up later.
02What if I spot a defect at handover?
Note it on the handover sheet under 'snag list' before signing, with a date by which it will be fixed. Sign the rest of the work as accepted so the bulk of the project is closed off.
03Should I hold back the final payment?
Yes — a 5–10% retention until the snag list is closed is standard practice and protects you. Pay the rest in full on signed handover.
Conclusie
A clean handover is a quiet handover: a list of tiny items, agreed dates, and a final payment that follows the work — not the other way round.