Pre-completion checklist: 50 points to check

The pre-completion checklist is the methodological tool that distinguishes an effective pre-completion visit from a mere touristic tour of the site. A new house typically contains 800 to 1,200 technical checkpoints likely to present a defect: without a structured reading grid, the human eye lets through, on average, 30 to 40% of anomalies. This page summarises the check list pre-completion method in 50 points, deployed room by room and by technical trade, as used by the firm Mon Etat Des Lieux on its pre-completion missions in Belgium.

Why a pre-completion checklist changes everything

A structured pre-completion verification list addresses three concrete issues. First, it guarantees completeness: it is impossible to forget a radiator, a ventilation outlet or a roller shutter when ticking the boxes in order. Second, it imposes documentary traceability: every ticked or reserved point is timestamped, photographed and located. Third, it reverses the balance of power: when faced with a hurried contractor, a visible checklist creates a methodological pressure that cannot be dismissed.

The pre-completion visit ideally takes place 10 to 15 days before the official provisional reception, at a time when the works are technically finished but corrections remain possible. It is also the only moment when you can detect hidden defects without risking taking possession.

Checklist structure: by room + by technical trade

The optimal method combines two inspection logics. First, the room logic: you walk through the property physically in a fixed order (always the same, to avoid omissions): entrance, living room, kitchen, WC, bathroom, bedrooms, hallways, staircase, upper floor, basement, garage, exterior areas.

For each room, you successively check:

• Floors: flatness (2 m rule, max 5 mm tolerance), tile joints, straight skirtings, parquet without creaking, cleanliness.
• Walls: plumb (level), paintwork without drips, wallpaper without bubbles, alignment.
• Ceilings: no cracks, no halos, no traces of plaster.
• Joinery: doors that open and close without friction, regular clearance around the frame, windows without draughts, glazing free of scratches.
• Electrical: all sockets tested, switches operational, light fittings powered.
• Plumbing: taps and drains tested, correct pressure.
• Ventilation: extraction and supply vents unobstructed, perceptible flow.

Then the transversal logic by technical trade: you revisit the global systems that cross several rooms: complete electrical circuit (panel + RCD + earth), hydraulic network (pressure, tightness, pipe insulation), MVHR (flow test with a sheet of paper), heating (ignition of all radiators, balancing), airtightness (flame test at junctions, or thermal imaging camera).

The 50 critical pre-completion points

Without being able to detail everything, here is the framework of the 50 points that the firm Mon Etat Des Lieux systematically checks on a standard 3-bedroom house:

Structure and facades (8 points): wall cracks > 1 mm, masonry joints, watertightness of roof band, rainwater downpipes, door threshold sealing, facade flatness, watertightness of exterior joinery, claddings.

Roof and attic (5 points): tiles or slates aligned, ridge, chimney flashings, visible insulation, attic ventilation.

Floors and screeds (4 points): flatness, expansion joints, sound (bonded vs floating screed), tile cohesion.

Interior walls and ceilings (6 points): plumb, uniform paint, corner joints, no cracks, cleanliness, plaster traces.

Interior and exterior joinery (8 points): smooth opening and closing, regular clearances, glazing, hinges, locks, brush seals, sills, lintels.

Sanitary plumbing (5 points): water pressure, fitting tightness, drainage, taps, silicone joints.

Electrical and home automation (5 points): compliant panel, 30 mA RCD, all sockets tested, earth verified, G1 certificate.

Heating and ventilation (4 points): radiator ignition, balancing, MVHR flow, dual-flow filters.

EPC and insulation (3 points): visible airtightness, insulation in place, final EPC certificate handed over.

Exteriors (2 points): level terrace, garden drainage, layouts compliant with the plan.

Minimum tools and instruments

A serious inspection requires a few inexpensive tools: laser measure (€50), spirit level (€15) or laser level (€60), torch (€20), hygrometer (€30), adhesive crack gauges (€5/each), camera or charged smartphone. For higher stakes, add a thermal imaging camera (rental €80/day) which reveals thermal bridges and invisible insulation defects. See detecting construction defects for the full list of instruments.

Pitfalls to avoid during pre-completion

• Doing the pre-completion too early: works not finished, impossible to test the equipment.
• Doing the pre-completion too late: no margin for corrections before the official minutes.
• Underestimating the duration: minimum 2 to 4 hours for a standard house.
• Forgetting to document: photo + location + description for every defect.
• Inspecting without a checklist: 30 to 40% of defects go unnoticed.
• Accepting an “informal” pre-completion without minutes: without written traceability, your findings cannot be relied upon.

What to do after the pre-completion

The defects detected during the pre-completion must be the subject of a registered letter to the contractor listing precisely the points to be corrected before the official provisional reception. Failing correction, they will become reservations in the minutes. See provisional reception reservations for the enforceable wording.

To benefit from a 50-point checklist tailored to your type of property and a joint audit on site, the firm Mon Etat Des Lieux offers its Breyne Law assistance or its provisional reception expert service. Request a free quote within 24 hours. To understand the global flow of reception, also see how a provisional reception works and pre-completion definition.