Project Punch List

When the project is “substantially complete” it’s quickly getting near punch list time.

The punch list is the list of unfinished items that the contractor hasn’t finished. To create the Punch list inspect the entire project to see if everything is completed and acceptable. If you’ve followed this system, your list should be fairly short.

While you are inspecting the project, identify any unfinished or incorrect item(s) on your Punch List.

Use the blank Punch List form to prepare your projects’ detailed punch list.

Project Punch List Check Questions

Use the following list of questions to help you develop your punch list:

Rough Carpentry

• Is the deck screwed down to joists, studs and rafters, and not nailed down?
• Are there any spliced studs, joists, or rafters?
• Is structural wood framing properly treated for the use and exposure condition?
• Are roof rafters properly supported?
• Are there any cracked or otherwise damaged structural members?
• Is exterior wall and roof sheathing rated for exterior use?

Masonry

• Is the façade properly grouted without voids or drips on either side?
• Are drainage holes properly and regularly spaced and free of blockage?
• Are hangers regularly installed and spaced?

Roofing

• Are shingles installed per manufacturer’s instructions?
• Used manufacturer approved fasteners?
• Removed all corroded flashing?
• Ensured similar metal flashing throughout?
• Is drip edging properly installed?
• Are roof penetrations properly flashed?
• Is hip and step flashing properly installed at the chimney?

Plumbing

• Used similar metal connections or dielectric joints throughout?
• Are drilled holes in studs and joists code compliant?
• Is water heater missing a drain-pan, drain lines, or is there insulation in the pan?
• Are plumbing lines pitched to encourage continual drainage?

Electrical

• Are there any taught electrical wires?
• Are there wires buried in insulation?
• Are there any electrical splices outside junction boxes?

Mechanical

• Are there bends or kinks of less than 90 degrees in ductwork?
• Are there missing HVAC system drain pans, drain lines, or is there insulation in the pans?
• Are there HVAC grills above 8 feet from the finished floor?
• Has the HVAC system been properly balanced?

Door, Windows and Cabinets

• Are the doors and windows straight and level?
• Does each door and window open and close freely.
• Are all door and window locks and hardware operating properly?
• Did you get cabinets? You need to check those.
• Open each drawer and door and physically look inside.
• Are there any cracks in the doors, panels, shelves, or anything else?
• Are any areas nicked, missing stain or paint?
• Make sure everything is straight and level (or plumb and true)?
• Is all the hardware tight?

Surfaces and Finishes

• Is there grout missing between any of the floor or wall tile?
• Are grout lines standard and continuous?
• Are any tiles cracked or sound hollow underneath?
• Do different flooring materials have proper transitions?
• Are there any missing baseboards, or gaps in the base?
• Have the HVAC grills been painted to match or as agreed?
• Are there any nicks in the paint on the baseboard, the walls, elsewhere?
• Are there any missing furnishings or fixtures?
• Make sure contractors completely and properly install every cover plate, trim piece, or other kind of finish required.
• Make sure they remove all tape, plastic, general labels and packaging from all furnishings and fixtures.

Trust yourself. If something does not look quite right, then it may not be. To be safe, you should put everything on the list that you feel should be on the list. When you deliver the punch list, it is needs to be complete.

If you are not sure that you have actually found everything, then you could issue a preliminary punch list. On big jobs, this works especially well. While more applicable to the commercial market, it works well if you want to close out a specific subcontractor’s completed contract work.

Since every project is unique, the punch list for the project will also be unique. To give you an idea of the kinds of things that could be included in the punch list please review the following figure.

Figure 9. Sample Project Punch List Form