What initiates the warranty period for a construction project?

The correct initiation of the warranty period for a construction project is the date of Substantial Completion. This is a critical milestone in construction where the work is deemed sufficiently complete according to the contract documents, allowing the owner to occupy or utilize the project for its intended purpose. Once this point is reached, the contractor is typically required to provide a warranty for the project, which covers defects in materials and workmanship for a specified duration.

Substantial Completion signifies that the project is operable and the owner can take possession, even if there are still minor items to be finalized. The warranty period often starts at this moment because it marks the transition from construction to the project's operational phase, thus placing responsibility for maintenance and operational issues with the contractor for the agreed warranty duration.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the point at which the warranty begins. The project execution date or the signing of the contract are more administrative milestones in the project's timeline, while the date of final payment usually indicates the project's completion but does not trigger the warranty period.