When the scaffold leaves, put aside a little time for the paperwork. A finished-looking roof and a complete handover are not the same thing. The aim is a folder you can use a year later without having to reconstruct the job from messages.
AI-generated illustration, not an actual warranty or certificate.
Keep the final specification, not just the first quote
Save the accepted scope and any approved changes. Record the product, profile, colour and finish actually supplied, together with the contractor's details. If the order changed, label the final version clearly.
Ask for the relevant warranties and maintenance instructions. MBIE's sign-off and maintenance resources are a useful starting point for the wider completion process. A product warranty, the contractor's work record and any council documentation serve different purposes; do not treat one as a replacement for another.
List what remains open
Walk through the agreed completion process with the contractor without accessing the roof yourself. Ask what evidence is available for work you cannot see. Record any remaining item, who will address it and the agreed next contact.
Do not write “all complete” as a convenient shorthand if something is still awaiting a visit or document. A precise outstanding-items list is easier for both sides to act on.
Set up the first maintenance reminder
Find the instructions that apply to the installed product and property. Record the next action and who will arrange it. Do not substitute a generic annual reminder for a specific requirement in the supplied instructions.
Keep photographs, invoices and the final documents together, with a backup. If the building will be managed by someone else, include a short summary of responsibilities. Read our after-sales care guide for continuing care, or the rental handover checklist for managed properties.