Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
7.4 Dealing with defects at the end of a defects liability period
The defects liability period (DLP), which is normally 12 months, is stated in the
contract appendix. As the DLP comes to a close, a final snagging list will be prepared
by the client's representatives.
Outstanding defects will need to be completed by the date specified, in order that
a certificate of completion can be issued and the final retention released.
Practical note
In some situations the main contractor or subcontractor may fail to return to complete
the outstanding items at the end of the DLP. Some small subcontractors consider
that it is not financially viable to complete outstanding items. In these cases the
contractor would complete the items and deduct the cost from the retention due to
the subcontractor (perhaps by this time the subcontractor may have gone out of
business anyway).
Clauses are included in the contract which allow the client to “set off” monies
against such occurrences. The client may therefore bring in “A.N. other” to complete
outstanding items and deduct the monies from the contractor's final account.
