1. Introduction

As one approaches the time of handover one moves into the closing phase.

Experientially, there can be experienced to be many “arms and legs” in this phase. Most subjects are busy finishing their works while there are often a number of dependencies between the respective subjects. This phase therefore places great demands on good progress planning and coordination — usually from day to day.

At the same time as a number of final and complementary works are underway, we are entering the period when technical systems will be tested. Often, such tests assume that most of the work is completed. When testing ventilation systems, you do not want dust and particles to be sucked into ducts and clog filters, which requires a clean dry building. Fire alarm systems assume that doors are left open or closed and this again assumes that all electronic door locks etc. are complete. The more extensive and complex the more time one will need.

This phase is therefore of great importance to all parties. One is approaching the “moment of truth,” namely the takeover business.

As is known, when the build/ facility is taken over, the risk passes to the builder and the contractor gets the right to submit a claim for final settlement. In addition, the entrepreneur avoids daybreak if the takeover business starts within the agreed closing deadline.

It is no coincidence that the most detailed and comprehensive provisions are contained in NS 8417, and this is related to the fact that the total subcontractor has the functional risk.

2. Overview of the rules

Below we have adopted a matrix showing the individual topics and as before we start from NS 8417 since it is this contract standard that is most often used today. We still get into NS 8415 and NS 8416 where this is natural.

In the subcontracting standards there are rules on registration business.

This is a business that a subcontractor can demand to be completed when he has finished his works, and at the same time it will take some time before the main/general contractor will hand over the overall works to the builder. It is the case that the subcontractor's works are not formally handed over to the main/general contractor until the latter hands over to the builder. This, in turn, is a consequence of a “back to back” thinking in which the guarantee period of all contractors should start running at the same time, namely when the builder takes over from the main/general contractor.

We have written four articles that deal with the different phases, namely about ¹⁾ registration business, whether ⁽²⁾preparation for takeover, if ⁽³⁾ the takeover business itself and whether ^4th) the final settlement.

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