When building according to a project, minor changes are sometimes unavoidable – however, if these changes are not significant, this does not mean that they do not need to be formalized. In such cases, a certificate of construction without significant deviations from the project is required. This certificate is required upon completion of construction when the design solutions have not changed significantly but need to be officially confirmed.
The document is important not only for registering real estate but also for avoiding disputes with supervisory authorities when submitting a declaration of completion of construction. The certificate should not be confused with an expert opinion or building permit decisions – this is a separate procedure, usually carried out at the end of construction.
What is a certificate of construction without significant deviations?
This is a document confirming that the building was constructed without violating the essential design solutions. In other words, the certificate attests that:
- No significant deviations from the approved design were made during construction;
- All changes made are not considered significant (in accordance with Article 20 of the Construction Law);
- The building complies with the design solutions sufficiently to be considered implemented in accordance with the design.
This certificate is required when:
- The construction work was carried out with minor deviations, but they are not considered significant;
- A building permit was issued, and upon completion of construction, it is necessary to prove that no significant changes have been made;
- The completion of construction is declared, but the supervisory authorities request additional justification.
When is this certificate mandatory?
Although a certificate confirming that the construction of a building has been completed without significant deviations is not required in all cases, in certain situations it becomes a mandatory document. This is particularly important when construction is carried out in accordance with a building permit and technical deviations have been recorded, the legality of which must be proven.
A building permit has been issued
If the building was constructed after obtaining a building permit, but not all solutions were implemented exactly as planned (e.g., minor structural changes, window layout, engineering system corrections), a certificate stating that these deviations are not significant is required.
“This is a common case – the design is adjusted during construction, but minor changes should not prevent the completion of construction,” says Tomas Misiūnas, construction technical supervision expert.
The declaration of completion of construction must be substantiated
When the builder declares the completion of construction (especially when using the INFOSTATYBA system), the declaration must state that the building has been constructed in accordance with the design. If any changes have been made, a certificate confirming that the deviations are not significant must be attached to the declaration.
Requires state supervision of construction
The State Territorial Planning and Construction Inspectorate may request a certificate in cases where:
- The design of the building was changed during construction;
- The builder himself does not clearly define whether the solutions have been changed;
- There are suspicions of unauthorized deviations.
Who can issue a certificate of construction without significant deviations
The certificate is not a formal document issued by an institution, such as a building permit – it can be issued by the building project developer or the designer who carried out the project and who is authorized to provide technical conclusions of this nature. In some cases, the certificate may also be signed by a technical supervisor if the project was carried out under technical supervision.
Project developer (designer)
This is the main person or company with the competence and responsibility to assess whether the changes made during construction are consistent with the original essential decisions. In most cases, the project author issues a certificate when the building essentially complies with the project but some corrections have been made.
Project implementation supervisor
If a project implementation supervisor was involved in the construction process, they may provide a relevant conclusion or sign a certificate. This is usually done when changes have been recorded and agreed upon during the course of the project.
Technical supervisor
If a technical supervisor was appointed during construction, they may also confirm that the building has been constructed without any significant deviations from the technical design. However, this is less common, and additional confirmation from the project author is usually required.
“Even the smallest structural change should be assessed by specialists. The certificate is not a formality – it is a responsibility for the legality of the final solution.” – Lina Drūlytė, licensed architect
How to obtain a certificate – step by step
The issuance of a certificate of construction without significant deviations is a formal process that takes place at the end of construction. To do this, it is necessary to ensure that the building essentially complies with the technical design and that all work has been carried out in accordance with the applicable legislation.
1. Contact the project designer or supervisor
First, you need to contact the author of the technical design or the responsible supervisor, who is authorized to assess whether there were any significant deviations during construction. This may be the designer, technical supervisor, or project implementation supervisor, depending on the situation.
2. Review and evaluation of documents
The selected specialist reviews all available documentation—drawings, technical solutions, and the design part. It is important that the implementation of the project complies with the design solutions and that any deviations, if any, are insignificant. During the review, the provisions of the documents are compared with the actual condition of the building.
3. Actual inspection of the building (if necessary)
If questions arise regarding certain solutions in the documents or during construction, an on-site inspection of the building may be carried out. This is not a mandatory step, but it is often practiced to avoid doubts about the accuracy of the project implementation.
4. Preparation of a certificate
If the building essentially complies with the project, the responsible person prepares a certificate. This document states that the construction has been carried out without any significant deviations from the project, specifies the project that was followed, and provides supporting data. The certificate must be signed by a specialist authorized to do so.
5. Submission of the certificate to the INFOSTATYBA system
Upon completion of construction, the certificate is submitted via the INFOSTATYBA system together with other completion documents. Its submission ensures that the declaration of completion of construction will be accepted without additional corrections or objections from the inspection authority.
When is a certificate not required?
Although a certificate confirming that the construction of a building has been completed without significant deviations is a common requirement in the construction completion process, there are situations where it is not mandatory. This usually depends on the category of the building, the existence of a building permit, and the construction process itself.
When a building is classified as simple
If a building is considered simple (e.g., a gazebo, farm building, or shed) and did not require a building permit, a certificate of deviations is usually not required. In such cases, a declaration of completion of construction is sufficient, in which the builder is responsible for compliance with the project or simplified solution.
When construction was carried out according to a simplified project
In cases where simplified design was used and the construction was not carried out in accordance with detailed plans or special architectural requirements, a certificate may not be required. However, in this case, it is necessary to know exactly whether the municipality or inspectorate applies additional requirements.
When there are no deviations from the design
If the builder can prove that the building fully complies with the design solutions, as confirmed by the technical supervisor or the designer himself, a certificate may not be required – this compliance is indicated in the declaration of completion of construction. However, this depends on the specific situation and is often agreed in advance with the inspectorate or municipality.
Need help?
The construction process, even the simple acquisition of documents, can often raise questions: is a certificate required in a specific case, how exactly should it be prepared, who is authorized to sign it? If you are unsure about the requirements or the procedure for obtaining documents, the stav.lt team is ready to help. We advise on all construction documents, help you understand the legislation, and ensure that the construction process is legal and smooth. Contact us – we will help you every step of the way.