Completion Certificate Billing
Completion certificate billing pairs the final invoice with a certificate confirming the work is finished to specification. The certificate is signed by the client, an engineer, or an architect, and it triggers release of the final payment — and often any retained amounts.
When to use this
- When construction or engineering contracts require certified completion
- When release of retainage depends on formal sign-off
- When the contract's final payment is conditional on acceptance
- When a lender or insurer needs proof the work is complete
- When you want a clean, documented close to the project
Key fields to include
- Project name and contract reference
- Statement of completion to the agreed specification
- Date of substantial or final completion
- Signatures: contractor, client, and certifier
- Final account summary including released retainage
- Defects liability or warranty period start date
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between practical and final completion?
Practical (or substantial) completion means the work is usable with only minor defects outstanding; final completion means everything, including defect fixes, is done. Contracts often release most payment at practical completion and the rest at final completion.
Who issues the completion certificate?
Usually the contract administrator, architect, or engineer — the independent party named in the contract. The contractor requests it; the certifier verifies the work meets the specification before signing.
What if the client refuses to sign?
The contract should define what happens: often the certifier can still issue the certificate if the work meets the specification, or a dispute process begins. This is why an independent certifier matters.
More use cases
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