Turnover & closeout
Warranty period
Also called: warranty term, guarantee period
The warranty period is the length of time after completion — commonly starting at substantial completion — during which the contractor must correct defects in materials and workmanship that show up in the finished work. Its length, what it covers, and when the clock starts are all set by the contract, and individual products or systems may carry their own manufacturer warranties that run on different terms. It is the owner's safety net for problems that only surface once the building is in use.
Why it matters
Defects rarely all appear during construction. A failed seal, a control that drifts, or flashing that leaks in the first hard rain often shows up months later, and the warranty period is what makes those the contractor's problem to fix rather than the owner's cost to absorb. Knowing when the clock started, and on which systems, decides who pays.
How it shows up on site
The start date is typically pinned to substantial completion, so that certificate carries real weight. Warranty claims during the period get logged, dispatched, and closed, and a warranty walk near the end of the standard one-year term is a common way to catch remaining items before coverage lapses.
Manufacturer warranties on equipment and materials may extend beyond the contractor's workmanship warranty and are worth filing so the owner can claim against them directly.
Common mistakes
Losing track of the start date, so a valid claim is disputed as out of period. Assuming one blanket warranty covers everything when systems and products carry different terms. Waiting until coverage nearly expires to walk the building, then rushing the fixes.
Checklists that put warranty period to work
Free, field-ready checklists, each with the photo every item needs before it can be submitted.
Related terms
- Warranty walk (11-month)A walkthrough late in a one-year warranty period to catch defects while the contractor is still obligated to fix them.
- Substantial completionThe milestone where the work is usable for its intended purpose, even with minor punch items still open.
- Final acceptanceThe owner's formal acknowledgment that the work is complete and accepted, closing out the contractor's obligations short of warranty.
- Closeout packageThe compiled record proving the work was completed, inspected, and accepted, assembled to close out the contract.
- Turnover packageThe set of documents and records handed to the owner or operator so they can run and maintain the completed building.
- Certificate of occupancy (CO)The document the building department issues confirming a completed building is code-compliant and legal to occupy.
Knowing the term is step one. Proving it is the job.
RTI holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and the photos are attached, then chains the record so it can be proven untouched later.