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Everything you need to know about the building acceptance report

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Deux personnes se serrent la main dans un bureau, avec un casque de chantier posé sur la table.

Summary

The handover report formalizes the conformity of the works to contractual requirements and the transition from construction to use. This document is crucial for activating legal guarantees and distinguishing responsibilities between handover and delivery. This guide details its importance, the process for creating it, and its impact on the legal security and compliance of construction projects.

What is a receipt report?

The Acceptance Report (PV) is a document that marks the official completion of a construction project . This report, essential in the life cycle of a building, certifies that the work carried out conforms to the contractual requirements. Its preparation takes place at a key moment: the transition between construction and the building's use, ensuring that everything has been completed according to the initial specifications.

Did you know? The work acceptance report is fundamental to activate legal guarantees such as the guarantee of proper functioning, the two-year guarantee, and the guarantee of perfect completion.

Who are the participants in drafting the minutes?

The creation of the acceptance report mainly involves
two parts:

  1. The Project Owner (MOA): Sponsor of the project, responsible for completing the minutes, marking their acceptance of the work.

  2. The Project Manager (MOE) : Representative of the construction company, guarantor of the quality of the work.

Did you know? Sometimes, a third party (such as an architect) may also participate in the drafting, enriching the document with their technical expertise.

Acceptance report vs. delivery report

Although they are similar, these documents have
different objectives:

  • The acceptance report confirms the completion of the work according to the contractual terms, allowing reservations to be made if necessary.

  • The delivery report confirms the physical handover of the work to the client.

Although there is no legal obligation for the final site report, it is strongly recommended to activate legal guarantees and protect the parties in case of disputes.

Legal guarantees associated with the acceptance report

The site acceptance report is an integral part of the essential legal guarantees in construction:

  • The guarantee of perfect completion (1 year), covering all defects reported by the client,

  • The two-year warranty (2 years), concerning the proper functioning of the equipment

  • The ten-year guarantee , protecting against damage compromising the solidity of the structure or rendering it uninhabitable.

These guarantees are activated upon acceptance of the work, which underlines the importance of the acceptance report for the safety and conformity of the building.

Table showing three forms of work acceptance: Express, Tacit, and Judicial, with their descriptions and legal consequences.

Each form of acceptance of the work has its own implications and consequences. This highlights the importance of proper documentation and clear communication between the parties involved in a construction project.

Instructions for completing the site acceptance report

The site acceptance report officially marks the end of a construction project. However, several scenarios are possible during its implementation:

  • Unconditional acceptance : The client confirms that the work meets expectations, with no visible defects. This closes the project and immediately activates the legal guarantees.

  • Acceptance with reservations : Defects are identified, but the client accepts the project with specific conditions to be rectified. The document must clearly list these reservations, committing the contractor to correct them within a defined timeframe.

  • Refusal of acceptance : In the event of a major non-conformity, the client may refuse acceptance. This scenario requires precise documentation of the reasons for refusal, which is essential for any potential legal action.

  • Challenging the refusal : If the builder considers the refusal unjustified, they can challenge this decision. This often involves legal proceedings to resolve the dispute.

  • Absence of a report : Not formalizing the acceptance with a report can lead to tacit acceptance, complicating the process of implementing guarantees in the event of subsequent problems.

Did you know? Acceptance, whether with or without reservations, marks the beginning of the period of guarantee of perfect completion, guaranteeing the repair of any defect reported by the client.

Table showing composition of a quality acceptance report with sections, content, objectives, and importance for construction documentation.

Sample acceptance report

Viewpoint Field View simplifies the process of creating your site acceptance report. Click below to see how you can streamline your construction project documentation today. Download a sample acceptance report created with Viewpoint Field View here!

How do digital technologies simplify the process of writing up completion reports?

The adoption of technology and specialized software is revolutionizing construction project management, including the drafting and management of final acceptance reports. These digital tools facilitate communication between teams, ensure better information traceability, and allow for real-time document updates. They contribute to more efficient site management, reduce errors, and accelerate decision-making, making the project handover process smoother and more transparent.

Among these solutions, Trimble's Viewpoint For Projects and Viewpoint Field View stand out for their ability to centralize project data, providing a collaborative platform for efficient document management. These tools enable accurate entry of acceptance reports, management of outstanding issues, and tracking of necessary corrections. Their use ensures better coordination among all project stakeholders, thereby optimizing the quality and compliance of the work performed.

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