A £30,000 final stage and £800 of snags

Situation

Chris submits a £30,000 completion milestone for a large refurbishment. The customer, Helen, identifies three items: an unpainted reveal, a stiff internal door and a missing kitchen shelf. The parties estimate the genuine remaining work at approximately £800.

Helen fears that approving payment for the stage will remove her leverage and the builder will not return. Chris fears that the whole £30,000 will be held up even though the property is usable and most work is complete.

First question: what are the items?

The reveal and door fall within the accepted finish. The shelf was not in the agreed kitchen scope and is a new request. The first two are recorded with locations, photographs and proposed correction dates. The shelf moves to a variation if Helen still wants it.

Second question: has the completion basis been reached?

The project’s agreed completion criteria and any required professional role are reviewed. The two minor items do not automatically answer that question either way. Their effect follows the contract.

Third question: what happens to payment?

The project identifies the completed position, the two open items, the estimated relevant value and the correction plan.

Partial approval can record £29,200 as approved for payment and £800 as queried, creating a release request for the approved amount. Assurr does not itself release or settle the £29,200; provider processing and contractual effect remain separate.

What the structure achieves now

Even without promising the financial result, the project avoids an undefined fight about £30,000. Helen’s legitimate concern about return is recorded. Chris’s completed work is distinguished from the remaining items. The new shelf cannot be smuggled into snagging.