In this phase, the architect will assess and determine final completion and issue the final certificate. This is granted by the architect typically one year after practical completion. If final completion is determined the final half of the retention is released.
‘A final certificate is a certificate issued by the architect at the end of a construction contract to show the amount of the final payment due to the contractor and to certify that the works have been completed in accordance with the contract ’ (Construction Industry Terminology, Standen, 2000).