ABSTRACT
The date of possession or commencement and the date for completion of the works are key dates in any building contract and Standard Building Contract (SBC16) requires a ‘Date of Possession’ and a ‘Date for Completion’ to be inserted into the contract particulars. The contract allows for the employer to defer possession under an optional clause, and for the contract administrator to adjust the dates for completion in certain circumstances. Degree of possession is such that there must be no interference that prevents the contractor from working in whatever way or sequence it chooses. The contract sets out no procedure for what happens at practical completion, it simply requires the contract administrator to certify it. Leading up to practical completion it appears to be widespread practice for contract administrators to issue ‘snagging’ lists, sometimes in great detail and on a room-by-room basis.
