Interior Handover Checklist: What to Inspect Room by Room

If you are finishing interiors in Mysuru, whether for a new house in Vijayanagar or a small office near the city centre, the walk-through before you sign off decides how many small annoyances you will live with for years. A drawer that catches, a shutter that sags or a socket placed behind a wardrobe is easy to correct now and awkward to correct later.

This checklist is organised room by room. It assumes the power is on and water is connected, because you cannot test fittings properly otherwise.

Go in daylight with a torch, a phone charger to test sockets, masking tape to mark defects and a notebook for the snag list.

General checks for every room

Some checks apply everywhere, so do them in each space as you walk through.

• Drawings in hand. Compare what is installed with the approved layout and the written specification. Check laminate shades, handle models, hardware brands and board thickness against what was agreed.
• Edges and joints. Run your hand along edge banding on every panel. It should be flush with no lifting corners or glue lines.
• Alignment. Shutters should sit level with even gaps between them. Uneven gaps usually mean hinges need adjusting, which is a quick fix on the day.
• Surfaces. Look at laminates and paint at a low angle with a torch. Scratches, dents and patchy paint show up far more clearly that way.
• Electrical points. Test every switch and socket. Confirm that points shown on the electrical layout were not covered by furniture.

Kitchen, utility and bathrooms

Wet areas take the most daily wear, and water problems are the costliest to fix later. Test with running water, not just your eyes.

Kitchen and utility

1. Open and close every drawer fully, loaded if possible. Soft-close channels should close smoothly without bouncing back.
2. Check that tall units and wall cabinets are firmly fixed to the wall. Press gently on the base of each wall cabinet.
3. Inspect the countertop joints and the sealant around the sink. Pour water near the edges and check the cabinet below for seepage.
4. Run the tap and look under the sink for drips at every connection, including the waste pipe.
5. Confirm the hob, chimney and any built-in appliances fit their cut-outs and that the chimney duct is sealed where it exits the wall.
6. In the utility area, test the washing machine inlet and outlet points and confirm the floor slopes towards the drain.

Bathrooms and balconies

• Run every tap and shower for a minute and watch the floor drain. Water should not pool anywhere.
• Check the vanity unit for moisture-resistant material, as agreed, and inspect its underside for gaps.
• Flush the cistern and look for slow leaks around the base.
• On balconies, pour a bucket of water and confirm it flows away from the door threshold.

Bedrooms, living and pooja areas

Bedrooms and wardrobes

• Open every shutter and sliding door. Sliding doors should run without scraping and stop cleanly at both ends.
• Check internal fittings against the plan: hanging rods, shelves, drawers, lofts and any locker.
• Look for loft shutters that do not close flush, a common issue on high units.
• Test bedside switch placement from the bed, not from the doorway.
• If there is a study table, sit at it. Confirm the height is comfortable and that a socket is within reach.

Living, dining and pooja areas

• Inspect the TV unit for cable management. Wires should route through grommets or channels, with a socket hidden behind the screen position.
• Check false ceiling joints for hairline cracks and test every light, including profile and cove lighting, on all switches and dimmers.
• Look at wall panelling for gaps at corners and where it meets the ceiling.
• In the pooja unit, check that doors open without hitting the lamp area and that any back-lit panels work.

Offices and commercial spaces

For a commercial fit-out, the checks shift from comfort to function and safety.

• Test every data point, network rack connection and workstation power point.
• Check that workstation partitions and storage pedestals are stable and lockable.
• Confirm meeting rooms have working AV points and adequate acoustic treatment.
• Walk the exit routes and check they are clear of furniture.
• For banks and institutions, confirm counters, secure storage and customer areas match the approved layout.

If you are still at the planning stage, our page on commercial and corporate interiors explains what an end-to-end office fit-out covers.

Signing off: how to close the snag list

Write each defect with the room, the exact location and what is wrong. Photograph it and mark it with masking tape. Agree a revisit date for corrections and walk the list again before you sign the final handover.

Ask for these documents on the day:

• As-built drawings, especially electrical and plumbing layouts
• Warranty cards for hardware, appliances and fittings
• The contractor’s workmanship warranty and service terms in writing

At Uniq Builders, every package includes a workmanship warranty and one year of free service after handover, so small adjustments that appear once you settle in, such as hinge tuning, can be logged and attended to. You can compare what each option covers on our construction and interior packages page, or read more practical guides in the interiors in Mysuru blog.

If you would like our team to walk through your space or answer questions about an ongoing project, book a free consultation or call +91 98449 93200, Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Frequently asked questions

Should I sign the handover if a few small defects remain?

Only if every defect is written on a dated snag list that both you and the contractor sign, with an agreed date for correction. Verbal promises are easy to forget once the team moves to another site. Keep photographs of each item as a record.

Can I bring someone else to inspect my interiors on handover day?

Yes, and it often helps. A relative who cooks daily will spot kitchen issues you might miss, and an independent engineer or carpenter can check hardware and fixing quality. Let the contractor know in advance so the right supervisor is present to answer questions.

What problems usually show up only after I move in?

Hinges and sliding channels often need adjustment after a few weeks of use, and minor seepage may appear during the first heavy monsoon. Wood-based panels can also shift slightly with humidity. This is why a written workmanship warranty and a service period after handover matter as much as the inspection itself.