Job Completion Checklist for Tradespeople (Free)
Finishing a job without a proper sign-off is one of the most common mistakes tradespeople make — and one of the most expensive. Disputes, insurance claims, and warranty comebacks almost always come down to one question: can you prove what you did?
A signed completion checklist gives you written evidence that the work met the agreed specification, that the customer accepted it on a given date, and that you walked them through everything they need to know. That one sheet of paper can protect you against a chargeback, a small-claims action, or a he-said-she-said dispute months down the line.
Use the trade-specific checklists below. Print them, save them to your phone as a PDF, or copy them into your job management app. Get the customer to sign every time — no exceptions.
Electrician — Installation Completion Checklist
- ☑Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) or Minor Works Certificate issued
- ☑RCD and AFDD tested and verified
- ☑All circuits labelled clearly at consumer unit
- ☑Test results recorded (Zs, R1+R2, RCD trip times)
- ☑Any deviations from specification noted in writing
- ☑Building control notification submitted (Part P work)
- ☑Customer shown isolation points and distribution board
- ☑Customer sign-off sheet signed and dated
Plumber — Installation Completion Checklist
- ☑All joints inspected for leaks (pressure test if required)
- ☑Water supplied, all outlets tested
- ☑Stopcock location explained to customer
- ☑Thermostatic controls demonstrated
- ☑Any Part L compliance documented (boiler efficiency)
- ☑Waste routes checked and running freely
- ☑Area cleaned and waste removed
- ☑Customer sign-off sheet signed
Gas Engineer — Completion Checklist
- ☑Gas Safe completion certificate issued
- ☑CO alarm fitted and tested (mandatory new boiler installs 2022+)
- ☑Flue terminal checked — clearances and correct termination
- ☑Gas rate verified and recorded
- ☑Combustion analysis completed and recorded
- ☑Controls demonstrated to customer (programmer, thermostat, TRVs)
- ☑Boiler manual left with customer
- ☑Landlord Gas Safety Certificate if rental property
Builder — Project Completion Checklist
- ☑Snagging list agreed and items complete
- ☑All waste removed from site
- ☑Building control sign-off obtained (if applicable)
- ☑Any structural engineer sign-off documents provided
- ☑Keys and access equipment returned
- ☑Final invoice issued with itemised breakdown
- ☑Retention terms confirmed in writing (if applicable)
- ☑12-month defects liability period start date confirmed
Roofer — Completion Checklist
- ☑All tiles/slates checked — no lifts or gaps
- ☑Lead flashings checked and sealed
- ☑Gutters and downpipes clear and free-flowing
- ☑Felt, battens and counter battens inspected internally (where accessible)
- ☑Ridge and hip tiles bedded or dry-fixed correctly
- ☑Scaffold boards and netting cleared
- ☑Photographs taken before and after
- ☑Customer walked round and signed off
How to Use These Checklists
These checklists work best when they become a non-negotiable part of your handover process. Here is how to get the most out of them:
- Print or save as PDF. Keep a stack of printed copies in your van, or save the PDF to your phone so you can pull it up on-site. Apps like Apple Files or Google Drive make this easy.
- Walk through it with the customer. Do not just hand it over to sign. Go through each item out loud — it shows professionalism and catches anything you may have missed.
- Get a physical or digital signature. A signature with a printed name, date, and time is far stronger than a verbal confirmation. If using a phone, ask the customer to sign with their finger in a notes app or PDF tool.
- Photograph the signed sheet immediately. Take a photo before you leave site and upload it to the job file. If you lose the paper copy, you still have evidence.
- Store records for at least six years. That covers the limitation period for most contract disputes in England and Wales.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a completion certificate a legal requirement?
For certain regulated work it is — for example, electricians must issue an Electrical Installation Certificate or Minor Works Certificate for notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations, and gas engineers must issue a Gas Safe certificate for boiler installations. For general building and roofing work, there is no statutory requirement for a sign-off document, but not having one leaves you legally exposed. Courts and insurers treat written sign-off as strong evidence that a job was accepted in good order.
What is a snagging list?
A snagging list is a record of minor defects, unfinished items, or items that do not meet the agreed specification, identified at or near practical completion of a project. It is most common on larger building jobs. The contractor and customer agree the list, the contractor fixes the items, and the customer confirms they are resolved before final payment is released. Getting snagging items signed off separately from your main completion sign-off keeps the paper trail clean.
Can I use a WhatsApp photo as sign-off?
A WhatsApp message where the customer explicitly confirms the work is complete and they are happy can carry evidential weight — courts have accepted electronic communications as evidence. However, it is weaker than a signed document because it does not confirm the customer reviewed a specific list of items. Use it as a backup, not a replacement. A better approach is to photograph a signed paper checklist and send that photo to the customer via WhatsApp — then you have both a physical document and a timestamped digital record.
How long should I keep sign-off records?
Keep all job completion records for a minimum of six years. Under the Limitation Act 1980, most contract claims in England and Wales must be brought within six years of the date the cause of action arose. For structural work or work covered by a longer guarantee, retain records for the full guarantee period plus two years. Store them somewhere you can retrieve them quickly — a cloud folder organised by year and job reference is ideal.