Who certifies the substantial completion date?

Who certifies the substantial completion date?

• A. Owner
• B. Designer or CM
• C. Contractor
• D. Building Inspector

Answer: (B)

Substantial completion is the point at which the project is ready for its intended use, with only minor punch-list items remaining. The certification of this milestone is typically issued by the design professional (architect or engineer) or the construction manager acting for the owner. They review the work against the contract drawings and specifications, verify that the major requirements are met, and formally declare that the project has reached substantial completion. This certificate often triggers important next steps, such as start of warranties, transfer of possession, and the kickoff of final closeout activities. The owner doesn’t certify it on their own, the contractor doesn’t usually certify it, and while building inspectors handle occupancy permits, those are a separate code-compliance milestone rather than the contractual substantial completion certificate.

Substantial completion is the point at which the project is ready for its intended use, with only minor punch-list items remaining. The certification of this milestone is typically issued by the design professional (architect or engineer) or the construction manager acting for the owner. They review the work against the contract drawings and specifications, verify that the major requirements are met, and formally declare that the project has reached substantial completion. This certificate often triggers important next steps, such as start of warranties, transfer of possession, and the kickoff of final closeout activities. The owner doesn’t certify it on their own, the contractor doesn’t usually certify it, and while building inspectors handle occupancy permits, those are a separate code-compliance milestone rather than the contractual substantial completion certificate.