Quality & Inspections · Best Practice · Construction
Hold Point and Witness Point Register
A register tracking hold points and witness points in the construction process.
Last reviewed: 29 March 2026 — This guide reflects UK law as of this date. Contract / ITP remains current with no amendments enacted as of 29 March 2026. Next scheduled review: 29 March 2027.
| Legal basis | Contract / ITP / ISO 9001:2015 |
| Purpose | Live register tracking all ITP hold and witness points — notification, attendance, sign-off status |
| Hold vs Witness | Hold (H) work CANNOT proceed without signed release; Witness (W) formal notification required, work may proceed without attendance |
| Notification | 24-48 hours advance notice, written (email acceptable) |
| Waivers | Documented in register, unauthorised proceeding past hold point is a contractual non-conformance |
1. The Hold Point Register — The Live QA Control Document
The Hold Point Register transforms the ITP from a static planning document into a live quality management tool. It tracks each control point in real time — from notification through attendance, inspection outcome, and formal sign-off. Without this register, hold points are forgotten and work proceeds past quality-critical stages without verification.
The register provides a single auditable record that demonstrates whether each hold and witness point was properly notified, attended, inspected, and signed off. It records non-attendances at witness points, waivers granted for hold points, and any non-conformances identified. It is a living document that must be updated in real time as work progresses, not completed retrospectively.
Stop and raise an NCR
Proceeding past a Hold Point without sign-off is a contractual non-conformance — stop work and raise an NCR. The register must record any instance where work has proceeded without authorisation.
2. Hold Point / Witness Point Register — Content
The register must capture every dimension of the control point process, from the original ITP reference through to final sign-off or non-conformance reporting. Each row represents a single control point occurrence, and the columns track its lifecycle from notification to closure.
| Column | Description |
|---|---|
| ITP reference | Reference to the parent ITP and the specific clause or line item |
| Control point ID | Unique identifier for each control point occurrence in the register |
| Activity description | Brief description of the construction activity to which the control point applies |
| Type (H/W) | Whether the control point is a Hold (H) or Witness (W) point |
| Parties to notify | The parties who must be notified before the inspection (client rep, engineer, QA manager) |
| Notification sent | Date and method of notification sent to all required parties |
| Planned inspection date | The planned date and time for the inspection or test |
| Attended by | Names and roles of all parties who attended the inspection |
| Inspection outcome | Result of the inspection — pass, fail, or conditional acceptance with remedial actions |
| Sign-off | Formal signature, date, and confirmation that the control point has been closed out |
| Non-attendance | Record of any notified party who did not attend a witness point |
| Waiver | Record of any formal waiver granted for a hold point, including authorising party and reason |
| Work proceeded | Confirmation of whether work proceeded following the inspection or was stopped pending remedial action |
| NCR reference | Reference to any non-conformance report raised as a result of the inspection or unauthorised proceeding |
3. Common Mistakes
Not linking the register to the construction programme
Hold and witness points must be planned into the construction programme so that inspection dates are known in advance and the right people are available. A register that is not linked to the programme results in last-minute notifications and inspections being missed or rushed.
Giving insufficient notice to attending parties
Most contracts require 24-48 hours written notice before a hold or witness point inspection. Insufficient notice means the required party cannot attend, which either delays the work (hold point) or results in an unwitnessed inspection (witness point). The register must record when notice was sent.
Not documenting non-attendances at witness points
When a party is notified of a witness point but does not attend, work may proceed. However, the non-attendance must be formally recorded in the register. Failure to document non-attendance creates ambiguity about whether the notification was sent and whether the party chose not to attend.
Retrospectively completing the register rather than updating in real time
The register loses its value as a live quality control tool if it is completed retrospectively. Inspection dates, outcomes, and sign-offs must be recorded at the time they occur. A register completed at the end of the week or month from memory and notes is unreliable and may not reflect what actually happened.
Hold points signed off without physical inspection
A hold point sign-off must be based on a physical inspection of the work. Signing off a hold point from photographs, from the office, or based on the contractor's verbal confirmation defeats the purpose of the hold point mechanism. The person signing off must have been physically present at the inspection.
4. Frequently Asked Questions
Can a client waive a hold point?▾
Yes — a client or their representative can waive a hold point, but the waiver must be in writing and formally documented in the register. The waiver should state the reason for the waiver, the party authorising it, and any conditions attached. An informal verbal agreement to proceed is not a valid waiver.
What if work needs to proceed urgently past a hold point?▾
Contact the party responsible for the hold point inspection immediately and obtain written authorisation to proceed. If the party cannot be reached, the hold point must be respected and work must stop. Proceeding past a hold point without authorisation is a contractual non-conformance regardless of programme pressure.
How does the Hold Point Register relate to the Golden Thread?▾
Key inspections carried out at hold and witness points form part of the golden thread of building information required under the Building Safety Act 2022 for higher-risk buildings. The register provides the auditable evidence that these inspections were planned, carried out, and signed off. It should be retained as a permanent project record.
Who should sign off hold points?▾
The parties responsible for signing off each hold point are specified in the ITP. Typically this includes a combination of the contractor's QA representative, the engineer's representative, and the client's representative, depending on the nature and criticality of the control point. All specified parties must sign off before work can proceed.
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Get started freeThis guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, regulations change and individual project circumstances vary. Construction Suite is a trading name of Xzist Digital Ltd, registered in England and Wales.