Schedule of defects
A schedule of defects (or defects schedule) is issued by the contract administrator at the end of defects liability period. It identifies defects (aspects of the works that are not in accordance with the contract) that have become apparent during the defects liability period.
The contract administrator and the contractor then agree a reasonable period within which the contractor will rectify the defects identified on the schedule. Once the contract administrator is satisfied that the defects have been rectified, they issue a certificate of making good defects which has the effect of allowing the final certificate to be issued, releasing any remaining retention.
It is important to note that the defects liability period is not a chance to correct problems apparent at practical completion, it is a period during which the contractor may be recalled to rectify defects which appear. If there are defects apparent before practical completion, then these should be rectified before a certificate of practical completion is issued. See the article on practical completion for more information.
NB: Under NEC contracts, at, or just after the defects date the supervisor issues a defects certificate, which either certifies that there are no patent defects, or lists any uncorrected defects. This is analogous to the schedule of defects. See Defects certificate for more information.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Certificate of making good defects.
- Contract administrator.
- De minimis.
- Defects.
- Defects certificate.
- Defects liability period.
- Handover to client.
- Latent defects.
- Liquidated damages.
- Migration strategy.
- Opening up works for inspection and testing.
- Patent defects.
- Practical completion.
- Protecting and storing rebar.
- Punch list.
- Remedial work.
- Retention.
- Schedule.
- Schedule of condition.
- Site inspection.
- Soft landings.
- Substantial completion.
Featured articles and news
ECA, JIB and JTL back Fabian Society call to invest in skills for a stronger built environment workforce.
Women's Contributions to the Built Environment.
Calls for the delayed Circular Economy Strategy
Over 50 leading businesses, trade associations and professional bodies, including CIAT, and UKGBC sign open letter.
The future workforce: culture change and skill
Under the spotlight at UK Construction Week London.
A landmark moment for postmodern heritage.
A safe energy transition – ECA launches a new Charter
Practical policy actions to speed up low carbon adoption while maintaining installation safety and competency.
Frank Duffy: Researcher and Practitioner
Reflections on achievements and relevance to the wider research and practice communities.
The 2026 Compliance Landscape: Fire doors
Why 'Business as Usual' is a Liability.
Cutting construction carbon footprint by caring for soil
Is construction neglecting one of the planet’s most powerful carbon stores and one of our greatest natural climate allies.
ARCHITECTURE: How's it progressing?
Archiblogger posing questions of a historical and contextual nature.
The roofscape of Hampstead Garden Suburb
Residents, architects and roofers need to understand detailing.
Homes, landlords. tenants and the new housing standards
What will it all mean?
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch-up on the latest episodes.
Edmundson Apprentice of the Year award 2026
Entries now open for this Electrical Contractors' Association award.
Traditional blue-grey slate from one of the oldest and largest UK slate quarries down in Cornwall.
There are plenty of sources with the potential to be redeveloped.