Who Handles What
Prevent tasks from falling between trades—by making ‘who does what’ clear before work starts.
Not a contract—just a clarity baseline to confirm handoffs.
How to Use This in Hawaiʻi
Responsibility clarity matters more when the contractor pool is smaller and working relationships tend to be stronger, like here in Hawaiʻi. Use this sheet before the work starts. Walk through each item with your contractor and agree who owns what. The “Often” column shows the typical owner, but every project is different.
Ordering
6 items · 6 high-variance
Permits & Inspections
High variance“Who pulls permits, pays fees, schedules inspections, and handles corrections start-to-finish?”
Why this varies locally
Some bids exclude permit fees or assume the homeowner schedules inspections. Common in Hawaiʻi where contractor availability is limited and relationships tend to be longer-term, making informal handoff assumptions more common.
Allowances & Finish Decisions
High variance“What exactly is included in each allowance (tax/freight/labor), and what happens if we exceed it?”
Why this varies locally
Homeowners assume allowance covers install; contractor prices install separately. Common in Hawaiʻi where contractor availability is limited and relationships tend to be longer-term, making informal handoff assumptions more common.
Buying & Ordering Long-Lead Items
High variance“Who orders windows/cabinets/appliances, verifies specs, and tracks lead times?”
Why this varies locally
Homeowner buys items, but contractor expects to control ordering to avoid wrong specs. Common in Hawaiʻi where contractor availability is limited and relationships tend to be longer-term, making informal handoff assumptions more common.
Delivery Scheduling
High variance“Who schedules deliveries and confirms the site is ready to receive them?”
Why this varies locally
Deliveries show up before site readiness, causing fees and damage risk. Common in Hawaiʻi where contractor availability is limited and relationships tend to be longer-term, making informal handoff assumptions more common.
Storage & Protection of Owner-Purchased Items
High variance“If we buy fixtures/tile ourselves, who stores them and who's responsible if they're damaged?”
Why this varies locally
Items sit on-site unprotected and get damaged; nobody claims responsibility. Common in Hawaiʻi where contractor availability is limited and relationships tend to be longer-term, making informal handoff assumptions more common.
Damage / Defects / Returns
High variance“Who inspects items on arrival and who handles defects/returns and associated fees?”
Why this varies locally
Contractor installs a defective item, then replacement causes schedule slip and change order. Common in Hawaiʻi where contractor availability is limited and relationships tend to be longer-term, making informal handoff assumptions more common.
Rough-In
3 items · 1 high-variance
Cabinet-Appliance Integration
High variance“Who ensures appliance models and cut sheets are integrated into cabinet design before ordering?”
Why this varies locally
Cabinets arrive and appliances don't fit, causing rework and delays. Common in Hawaiʻi where contractor availability is limited and relationships tend to be longer-term, making informal handoff assumptions more common.
Plumbing Rough-In Responsibility
“Who confirms rough-in heights/depths for our chosen fixtures (especially wall-mount faucets/valves)?”
Electrical Fixture Locations
“Who confirms exact light locations and compatibility (dimmers, drivers, under-cabinet lighting) before rough-in?”
Close Walls
2 items · 2 high-variance
Site Protection & Dust Control
High variance“What site protection and cleanup is included daily, and what’s excluded (dumpster, hauling, disposal fees)?”
Why this varies locally
Homeowners assume full protection; bid includes minimal protection. Common in Hawaiʻi where contractor availability is limited and relationships tend to be longer-term, making informal handoff assumptions more common.
Backing & Blocking for Wall-Hung Items
High variance“Who specifies where blocking is needed, and who verifies it is installed before walls close?”
Why this varies locally
Blocking is omitted because nobody specified accessories early enough; adding it later means opening finished walls. Common in Hawaiʻi where contractor availability is limited and relationships tend to be longer-term, making informal handoff assumptions more common.
Waterproof / Tile
3 items · 3 high-variance
Waterproofing System & Warranty
High variance“Who selects the waterproofing system, who warranties it, and is there an inspection before tile goes on?”
Why this varies locally
Homeowner assumes lifetime warranty; it may only cover materials, not labor to fix a leak. Common in Hawaiʻi where contractor availability is limited and relationships tend to be longer-term, making informal handoff assumptions more common.
Tile Layout, Edges & Grout
High variance“Who approves the tile layout on-site before installation begins, and who selects edge trim and grout?”
Why this varies locally
No layout approval happens; tile is installed off-center or with inconsistent cuts at edges. Common in Hawaiʻi where contractor availability is limited and relationships tend to be longer-term, making informal handoff assumptions more common.
Shower Glass Measurement & Template
High variance“Who coordinates the glass template timing, and who ensures measurements happen after tile is complete?”
Why this varies locally
Glass ordered before tile is done; dimensions don’t match finished walls, causing reorder and delay. Common in Hawaiʻi where contractor availability is limited and relationships tend to be longer-term, making informal handoff assumptions more common.
Closeout
2 items · 2 high-variance
Patch / Paint / Finish Repair at Scope Edges
High variance“Who is responsible for patch/paint and finish repairs where scopes meet (plumbing/electrical/tile/cabinets)?”
Why this varies locally
Each trade says it's someone else's job; homeowner pays extra at the end. Common in Hawaiʻi where contractor availability is limited and relationships tend to be longer-term, making informal handoff assumptions more common.
Warranty Boundaries
High variance“What’s covered under labor warranty vs manufacturer warranty, and who handles claims?”
Why this varies locally
When something fails, everyone points to someone else. Common in Hawaiʻi where contractor availability is limited and relationships tend to be longer-term, making informal handoff assumptions more common.