Building Works Handover Assistance
The Gallery LL
Handover of
Building works
Protect your interests at handover, point by point.
Expertise for new-build projects · THE GALLERY LL
In French construction practice, handover is the formal act by which the client accepts the works, with or without reservations. It is a decisive stage: it generally marks the starting point of statutory warranties and can affect later remedies. Careful preparation and precise records are therefore essential.
01
Handover assistance
Lou Lassoued assists the client during the handover inspection. Visible defects, workmanship issues and apparent non-compliance are recorded precisely in a structured schedule of reservations intended to support the client's position.
02
Review of remedial works
Review of the remedial works undertaken in response to the reservations, with documented observations of the corrections and comparison against professional standards and the contractual documents within the agreed scope.
03
Disputed handover
If a disagreement arises with the contractor, Lou Lassoued can prepare a detailed technical report for use by the client's lawyer or other appointed professionals. The report provides technical findings and does not replace legal advice.
Why seek independent assistance?
Handover has both technical and legal consequences. A private client facing the contractor may not have the tools or terminology required to describe defects clearly. An omitted or imprecise reservation can weaken the evidence available later.
Lou Lassoued brings the perspective of a DPLG architect and CNEAF expert adviser. Observed defects are described with reference to professional practice, applicable DTU standards and the contractual documents. The resulting record is structured and precise, while its legal effect depends on the contract and circumstances.
Warranties beginning at handover
Under French law, the handover date generally marks the starting point of three statutory warranty periods: the one-year completion warranty, the two-year equipment warranty and the ten-year structural liability regime for qualifying defects affecting structural integrity or fitness for intended use. Applicability depends on the facts and should be confirmed where necessary with the relevant legal or insurance professional.
A carefully conducted handover with precise reservations helps document the condition of the works and preserve the client's ability to exercise the rights available under the contract and applicable law.
Prepare for handover
Is your key handover approaching for an off-plan purchase, a new build or a major renovation? This stage generally starts the warranty periods and should be prepared in advance. An initial confidential, no-obligation conversation helps define the appropriate assistance before the handover date.
Discuss your project