Project Forms & Certificates · ALA Contract Documents
Certificate of Substantial Completion
The milestone document that moves the project from construction to occupancy: it fixes the date, assigns responsibility for security, utilities, and insurance, and attaches the punch list. This is the date warranties usually run from.
| Format | Editable Microsoft Word (.doc) file, ready to download as soon as your payment goes through |
| Price | $75 · free for Professional, Senior Professional, and Emeritus members |
| Drafted by | Husch Blackwell construction-law attorneys for the Association of Licensed Architects |
Checkout runs on the ALA member site. New buyers enter an email address to start, no membership needed. After you pay by card, your Word file downloads right away and the link is emailed to you too. Professional, Senior Professional, and Emeritus members log in and download free.
Who this document is for
- Architects certifying substantial completion
- Owners taking beneficial occupancy
- Projects that need the warranty clock and punch list nailed down
Frequently asked
Why does the date matter so much?
Substantial completion typically starts warranty periods, shifts insurance and utility responsibility, and triggers release of retainage terms. This certificate fixes that date in writing.
Can I edit it for my project?
Yes. It arrives as an editable Microsoft Word file, so you can adapt names, scope, fees, and project-specific terms while keeping the attorney-drafted structure intact.