Test the systems, not just the finishes. A practical handover checklist for villas and offices.
Finishes are visible; systems are not
Handover inspections tend to focus on paint, tiles and door alignment because those are what we see. What actually keeps you comfortable, and what actually costs money to fix later, is the MEP installation behind the walls.
Spend the inspection time on systems as well as surfaces — and ask for the documents that prove the performance.
Documents to demand on handover
Before you accept any MEP handover, collect these:
- As-built MEP drawings showing routes as installed, not as designed.
- Cooling load calculation and the equipment schedule you approved.
- Electrical load schedule, panel board naming and circuit list.
- Insulation resistance and continuity test readings per circuit.
- Plumbing pressure test records, and drain flow test results.
- Equipment warranties, manuals, and commissioning certificates.
Five live tests you should watch
Stand beside the engineer and observe: AC running for at least 30 minutes with the doors closed, all taps and showers at the same time, drainage in every wet area, every socket on every circuit, and CCTV and intercom demonstration.
Photograph the meter readings and note the time. It is the simplest way to detect an issue that appears only under real load.
Snags and warranty
Document snags in writing with photographs and a deadline for clearance. A snag list closed two weeks later is normal; a snag list that is never closed is not.
Keep the warranty register in one place — it matters more in year two than in week one, when the fridge, the pump or a sensor finally fails.
Bukhari writes for Alruqi Almotamiza on construction, approvals and delivery practice in the UAE.
