Put the retention dates in your diary today

Retention - the small slice of each payment held back as security that faults get fixed - only works if it is released on the contract's dates rather than on sentiment. There are usually two: a first release when the build is handed over, and the rest when the defects period ends, months later. Put both dates in your diary now, along with a reminder a month before the period ends to walk the house and log anything that has appeared - cracks, sticking doors, the leak that only shows in weather. Money released early buys nothing back if a fault appears afterwards, and that final walk-round is your last look while the builder still has a reason to return.