Final Inspection for Home Renovations: Your Guide to the Certificate of Occupancy

As a renovation project nears its end, the air is often filled with the scent of fresh paint and the excitement of moving in. Seeing your dream home, once confined to design blueprints, finally take physical form—sofas in place, lights aglow—many homeowners believe that ‘completion’ simply means settling the final payment with the contractor and popping champagne. In their minds, if they’re happy with the result, the renovation marathon has reached its finish line. The thin document, the ‘Certificate of Occupancy,’ is often overlooked, dismissed as a mere administrative formality.However, the real challenges often begin after moving in. For commercial spaces, operating without this certificate means delays in obtaining business permits, pushing back grand openings indefinitely. For residential properties, a…