Contents
The short answer. To accept renovation works, walk through every room with the contractor and compare the result with the agreed scope. Draw up a defects list with fix deadlines, and once the defects are fixed, sign the acceptance (handover) certificate. A warranty is not a universal number: RigaBuild sets warranty terms for the specific scope of works and records them in the contract and project documents. Separately, a consumer has a statutory right to claim for a service that does not conform to the contract.
Key takeaways
- Acceptance is checked against the contract, the quote and approved changes — not against memories of conversations.
- Record defects precisely: where, what, and the fix deadline.
- Write the warranty scope and duration into the contract; there is no one formula for every project.
- A consumer can claim for a non-conforming service within two years of receiving it, and must report a discovered non-conformity within two months.
When and how acceptance happens
A typical process:
- The contractor reports completion. The works are finished under the contract and approved changes.
- Joint walkthrough. Client and contractor go through the rooms, comparing the result with the quote and change records.
- Defects list. Anything that does not conform is recorded in writing with photos, and a fix deadline is agreed.
- Fixes and re-check. After the fixes, only the listed items are checked again.
- Signing the certificate. When the list is closed, or an agreement on the remaining items is recorded, the acceptance certificate is signed.
Latvia’s Civil Law says the client must accept the completed work, and if the client reserved the right to inspect it first, that inspection must take place (Section 2222). It also says the agreed price is due once the work is completed and approved, but payment can be agreed for parts of the work (Section 2223). So it makes sense to tie payment stages to acceptance.
Walkthrough checklist by room
This list is general — adapt it to your scope of works.
Walls and ceilings
- □ surfaces are even, with no cracks or visible unevenness under side lighting;
- □ paint is even, with no runs or missed areas;
- □ corners and junctions with windows and doors are neat.
Floors
- □ covering is laid without gaps, lifting or damage;
- □ skirting is fixed and joints are neat;
- □ transitions between rooms match what was agreed.
Wet zones
- □ tile joints are even, with no cracks;
- □ silicone joints are continuous;
- □ water drains to the floor drain and does not stand;
- □ taps, basin and WC work, with no leaks at the joints.
Electrics and plumbing
- □ sockets and switches are in the agreed positions and work;
- □ lighting works;
- □ all agreed connections are installed.
Overall
- □ works match the quote and approved changes;
- □ the site is clean and waste removed, if that was included.
Defects list and fix deadlines
| No | Room | Description | Photo | Fix deadline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bathroom | Silicone joint by the shower is not continuous | Yes | Agreed date | Open / closed |
| 2 | Bedroom | Unpainted spot by the window | Yes | Agreed date | Open / closed |
A precise description prevents disputes. "Bad joints" is not a defect anyone can fix; "a crack in the joint between the second and third tile by the basin" is.
What an acceptance certificate usually covers
RigaBuild adapts its handover procedure and documents to the scope of each project. In general, a certificate usually includes:
- the parties, site address and contract number;
- a description of the work handed over, or a reference to the quote and changes;
- the date of the walkthrough;
- remarks, or a reference to the defects list and the agreement to fix them;
- the parties’ signatures and the date.
If the renovation included work that is no longer visible — waterproofing or pipes, for example — it helps to attach photos or notes. Latvia’s Construction Law lists a covered-works acceptance certificate as an example of a construction document. Cabinet Regulation No. 529 Ēku būvnoteikumi (Building Construction Regulations) says no works journal is kept for simplified renovation and for works carried out under a notification. In a flat renovation with no building-board procedure, these forms are not mandatory, but the record-keeping logic is the same.
Warranty: what to write into the contract
RigaBuild’s warranty terms are set for the specific scope of works and recorded in the project documents and the contract. The warranty is not defined by one universal formula, so this article gives no "standard" warranty period. In the contract, check:
- □ which works the warranty covers;
- □ how long it lasts and when it starts (for example, from the day the certificate is signed);
- □ how to report a warranty issue and how quickly the contractor responds;
- □ what is not covered — for example damage from improper use;
- □ how the contractor’s warranty on workmanship differs from the manufacturer’s warranty on equipment and materials.
Want a contract that covers handover and warranty from the start? Request a quote — RigaBuild agrees the handover and warranty terms before work begins.
If a defect appears later
Some defects only show up over time. Latvia’s Consumer Rights Protection Law provides that:
- a consumer can claim for a service that does not conform to the contract within two years of receiving it, and the claim must be submitted within two months of discovering the non-conformity (Section 27(1));
- if a commercial guarantee was given, after that period a claim can be made for the rest of the guarantee period on its terms (Section 27(2));
- the consumer can first ask for the non-conformity to be fixed free of charge; if that is not possible, for a price reduction or a refund — which does not exclude compensation for losses (Section 29).
These are statutory consumer rights, separate from the contractual warranty. In practice: describe the defect in writing, attach photos and the date, and send it to the contractor as the contract specifies. In a dispute, consult a lawyer or Latvia’s Consumer Rights Protection Centre (PTAC).
Common questions
Questions selected from search data and typical questions; they are not questions from specific clients. Answers are for information only.
What goes into a handover certificate? The parties, the site, the scope handed over or a reference to the quote and changes, the walkthrough date, remarks or a defects list, and signatures.
Can I refuse to sign if there are defects? Defects are usually written into the certificate or an attached list with a fix deadline. The Civil Law obliges the client to accept completed work, so it is better to record specific defects than to refuse without explanation.
How long is a renovation warranty? That depends on the contract; RigaBuild sets warranty terms for each scope of works. Separately, a consumer can claim for a non-conforming service within two years of receiving it.
How do I make a defect claim? In writing, with a description, photos and the date, following the procedure in the contract. The law requires you to report within two months of discovering the non-conformity.
Sources
- Patērētāju tiesību aizsardzības likums (Sections 14.1, 27, 29) — Saeima (likumi.lv); version in force 15.10.2026–19.11.2026; accessed 26.10.2026.
- Civillikums. Saistību tiesības — uzņēmuma līgums (Sections 2212–2229) — Saeima (likumi.lv); version in force from 30.03.2026; accessed 26.10.2026.
- Būvniecības likums (Section 1(4), (9), (14); Section 18(2)) — Saeima (likumi.lv); version in force 01.08.2026–07.01.2027; accessed 26.10.2026.
- MK 02.09.2014. noteikumi Nr. 529 "Ēku būvnoteikumi" — Cabinet of Ministers (likumi.lv); version in force 01.10.2026–07.01.2027 (including the amendments made by Cabinet Regulation No. 564 of 22.09.2026); accessed 26.10.2026.
Services: apartment renovation, major renovation, bathroom renovation. For contract content before the works, see How to choose a renovation contractor in Riga; for documenting changes, Renovation change orders; for preparing a renovation, the apartment renovation planning checklist.
Planning a renovation? Request a quote or get a first estimate in the renovation calculator. If you still need to check which documents are required before the works, read Documents before an apartment renovation in Latvia.
Prepared by the RigaBuild editorial team. Prices, timelines and sources checked on 26 October 2026. This article is for information only and does not replace legal advice or a building-board decision.