Which statement best describes final completion in A201?

• A. Final completion occurs when the punch list is complete.
• B. Final completion occurs when the owner accepts the project even if punch list remains.
• C. Final completion occurs when the certificate of occupancy is issued.
• D. Final completion occurs only after the warranty period.

Answer: (A)

Final completion in AIA A201 is reached when the Work is complete in accordance with the Contract Documents and the punch list has been finished. After substantial completion, a punch list identifies items that remain to be completed or corrected. Once every item on that list is completed to the Architect’s (and contract) standard, the project is considered finally complete. This milestone signals that all contract obligations are satisfied and closes out the near-final closeout tasks.

Ownership acceptance of the project while items on the punch list remain would not represent final completion, and the certificate of occupancy is a separate milestone tied more to readiness for use than to the formal final completion trigger. The warranty period comes after final completion, not before.