ARK Handover & Completion Policy

This Policy explains Practical Completion, the Pre-handover Inspection, objective Handover, minor outstanding items, final payment and the record created for long-term support.

1. Purpose
This Policy explains how ARK determines Practical Completion, completes the Pre-handover Inspection, records minor outstanding items, issues Handover and activates the ARK written-warranty record.

2. Application
This Policy applies where identified in the Contract Schedule for an eligible ARK Kitchen project.
It does not automatically govern standalone non-kitchen cabinetry or supply-only goods.

3. Related documents
This Policy must be read with the:
Contract;
Accepted Quotation;
Approved Drawings;
accepted Variations;
Payment & Cancellation Policy;
Kitchen Installation Policy;
Pre-handover Inspection Checklist;
Workmanship & Defect Assessment Standard;
Core Kitchen Warranty Policy and Schedules;
Project Record.

4. Practical Completion
Practical Completion occurs when the confirmed Scope is substantially complete, safe and reasonably usable for its intended purpose.
Minor items may remain where they do not materially affect:
safety;
structural integrity;
essential function;
reasonable use of the kitchen.

5. Work that prevents Practical Completion
ARK must not record Practical Completion while the project has a genuine unresolved condition such as:
incomplete critical fixing;
unsafe or unstable cabinetry;
a material electrical or plumbing danger within ARK's responsibility;
loss of essential kitchen function beyond an agreed staged condition;
substantial work from the accepted Scope not completed;
another condition making the kitchen not reasonably usable.

6. Staged projects
A project may have a planned gap between cabinet installation and later stages, including:
custom benchtop manufacture;
benchtop installation;
splashback installation;
licensed reconnection work;
final adjustment.
Practical Completion and Handover occur only at the stage defined in the Accepted Project Documents, not automatically at cabinet-installation completion.

7. Pre-handover Inspection
Before Handover, ARK will complete the applicable Pre-handover Inspection, which may include checks of:
cabinetry fixing and stability;
door and drawer operation;
alignment and ordinary adjustment;
panels, fillers and plinths;
hardware function;
benchtop and sink integration within ARK's Scope;
lighting within ARK's Scope;
visible damage;
accepted Variations;
known exceptions;
reasonable cleanup.

8. Inspection records
ARK may preserve:
checklist results;
photographs;
videos;
measurements;
exceptions;
corrective actions;
functional checks;
date and responsible person.
A completed checklist records the condition and checks completed at that time. It does not permanently exclude a later valid defect.

9. Minor Defect
A Minor Defect is a limited condition that does not materially affect safety, structure, essential function or reasonable use.
Examples may include:
an ordinary hinge or drawer adjustment;
a local cosmetic touch-up;
a minor listed component awaiting replacement;
a small incomplete item that does not prevent reasonable use.
Whether an item is minor depends on actual effect, not its label.

10. Outstanding Items List
ARK may create an Outstanding Items List identifying:
component and location;
description;
classification;
proposed action;
responsible party;
target or planning window;
completion status.
The list forms part of the Project Record.

11. Client identification of concerns
The Client should identify a concern specifically, including:
component;
exact location;
condition;
date noticed;
supporting photograph or video.
A general statement that the project is unsatisfactory is insufficient for reliable technical assessment.

12. Handover decision
ARK may record Handover after:
Practical Completion has been achieved;
the applicable inspection is complete;
critical issues are resolved;
known minor items are recorded;
required Handover information is prepared.

13. Handover Notice
ARK will issue or record a Handover Notice through:
email;
myARK;
another agreed electronic method.
The Handover Notice should identify:
ARKCode assigned to the Project Record;
project;
Handover Date;
Practical Completion status;
Outstanding Items List if applicable;
warranty commencement information;
final payment status;
access to Care Guides and support.

13.1 Factual correction window
The Client may notify ARK within 3 working days after service of the Handover Notice if the notice contains a factual error or omits a visible concern. The notice should identify the exact component, location and supporting evidence. This review window does not automatically postpone Handover or warranty commencement.

14. Client signature
Client signature is not required for Handover to occur or for ARK's written-warranty periods to begin.
The Client may be invited to acknowledge receipt, but refusal or absence does not prevent Handover where the objective requirements are met.

15. Client absence or refusal to attend
If the Client is unavailable or declines to attend an inspection, ARK may:
complete the inspection;
photograph the work;
issue the Handover Notice;
provide a reasonable period for the Client to report visible concerns.
ARK must still assess valid concerns later reported under the applicable Policy and law.

16. Handover Date and warranty commencement
Handover confirms the status of the specific Project Record identified by its ARKCode. It does not merge separate projects at the same property or convert the ARKCode into an owner or property identifier.
The ARK written-warranty periods begin on the Handover Date recorded in the Project Record, unless a project-specific record expressly states otherwise.
The Handover Date also becomes the reference date for:
Digital Warranty information;
Settling Adjustment period;
visible-condition reporting;
Warranty Transfer administration.
Statutory completion and defect periods are determined by applicable New Zealand law and are not reduced by ARK's internal record label.

17. Payment position at Handover
Under the standard kitchen payment structure, the 5% Final Completion Balance becomes claimable only after:
the included benchtop has been installed;
Practical Completion has been achieved; and
ARK has recorded Handover.
ARK may serve the Payment Claim with or promptly after the Handover Notice.
Handover and warranty commencement are not conditional on prior payment of the Final Completion Balance. If a properly due amount remains unpaid, the Project Record may show Account Outstanding.
Handover does not waive an accepted Variation, separately authorised charge or genuinely disputed amount. Payment does not reduce the Client's defect, warranty or statutory rights.

18. Outstanding account
If an amount remains unpaid, the warranty record may show:
Active - Account Outstanding
Warranty periods still begin on the Handover Date.
ARK must continue receiving and initially assessing Service Requests and meeting obligations that cannot lawfully be excluded.

19. Handover documents
Depending on the project, ARK may release through My Documents:
Handover Notice;
Pre-handover Inspection summary;
Outstanding Items List;
approved drawings;
material and hardware information;
applicable Care Guides;
warranty documents;
other legally or contractually required records.

20. Record Pack
ARK may create a project Record Pack for long-term use, property sale or Warranty Transfer.
The Record Pack may include appropriate property-related information without including private payment, identity or dispute records.

21. Visible-condition reporting
A condition reasonably visible at Handover should be reported:
at Handover; or
within seven calendar days after the Handover Date.
The report should include clear location and evidence.
This period supports evidence of condition. It does not remove rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.

22. Latent issues
A condition not reasonably visible at Handover should be reported promptly after discovery under the Core Kitchen Warranty Policy.
Completion of Handover does not permanently exclude a latent or recurring defect.

23. Remedy of outstanding items
ARK will address an item within a reasonable time considering:
urgency;
safety;
material availability;
manufacture;
supplier involvement;
site access;
other-trade requirements.
ARK should update the planning window where a material delay occurs.

24. Issue Closure Record
After completing or assessing an item, ARK may create an Issue Closure Record with:
before and after evidence;
action taken;
functional result;
date;
status.
Available statuses include:
Remedied and Closed;
Within Accepted Tolerance;
No Defect Identified;
Settled by Agreement;
Requires Further Assessment.
Customer signature is not required for technical closure.

25. Reopening
A closed item may be reconsidered where new evidence shows:
recurrence;
failed remedy;
material change;
a new functional problem;
relevant evidence not previously available.
Preference changes or repeated dissatisfaction without new defect evidence do not automatically reopen the item.

26. Care after Handover
After Handover, the Client must:
follow Care Guides;
manage leaks and moisture promptly;
protect surfaces from heat and impact;
prevent unauthorised alteration;
notify ARK promptly of a suspected defect;
take reasonable steps to prevent further damage.

27. Damage after Handover
Handover does not make ARK responsible for later damage caused by:
another trade;
impact;
misuse;
leaks outside ARK's responsibility;
heat or chemicals;
unauthorised alteration;
building movement.
Actual cause determines responsibility.

28. Practical Completion disagreement
If the Client disputes Practical Completion, the Client should identify:
incomplete Scope;
alleged safety or functional issue;
relevant document;
evidence;
remedy sought.
ARK will review the issue and, where appropriate, arrange further inspection or use the dispute process.

29. myARK status updates
myARK may show:
Pre-handover Inspection;
Practical Completion;
Handover Date;
Outstanding Items;
warranty status;
final payment action;
scheduled return work;
closure records.

30. Statutory rights
To the extent the work is residential building work under the Building Act 2004, applicable implied warranties and the statutory defect-repair process continue according to law. ARK's Handover label, checklist or issue status does not reduce those rights or change the statutory burden of proof.
Nothing in this Policy excludes the 12-month residential defect-repair period, Building Act implied warranties, Consumer Guarantees Act remedies or another right that cannot lawfully be excluded where those protections apply.