Setting up the walkthrough
Schedule the walkthrough in daylight and bring a bright flashlight anyway. Raking light along a wall shows drywall seams and nail pops that overhead light hides. Bring a roll of blue painter's tape and mark every item you find so it can be seen when the contractor returns.
Walk the house with the project lead, not alone. Agree on each item as you go, and write the list down together before anyone leaves. Ask for an expected date for the punch list to be finished. Items that depend on back-ordered materials can be listed separately so they do not hold up everything else.
Surfaces and finishes
- Drywall seams, corners and patches are invisible under raking light
- Texture matches the surrounding walls and ceilings
- Paint covers evenly with no roller marks, holidays or overspray on trim
- Caulk lines at trim, counters and tubs are neat and continuous
- Flooring is flat with no lifted edges, gaps or hollow spots
- Transitions between old and new flooring are secure and level
- Baseboard and casing are tight to walls with filled, painted nail holes
- Cabinet doors and drawers open, close and align evenly
- Countertops are level and seams are tight
- Tile grout is full and consistent in color
Systems and closeout
- Every outlet, switch and light in the rebuilt area works
- GFCI outlets trip and reset where installed
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are installed and tested
- Faucets, toilets and drains work with no leaks under sinks
- Heating and cooling run, and registers are reinstalled
- Bath and kitchen fans vent and are not noisy
- Final permit inspection has passed, with a copy for your file
- Leftover paint and spare flooring, labeled by room, are left on site
- Lien waivers from the contractor and major suppliers are received
- Product names, colors and model numbers are listed for future repairs
Questions before the final payment
- When will each punch list item be completed?
- Is any part of the final payment tied to the insurer releasing depreciation, and how is that timed?
- Who should I contact if a problem appears after move-in?
- Are all subcontractors and suppliers paid in full?
Kitchen backsplash tile being set with leveling clips. Example of the work involved; the photo does not show a specific property or a job for this site.
Common questions
- How much of the final payment should wait for the punch list?
- Contracts handle this differently. Some hold back a portion until the punch list is done. Agree on the approach before work starts, and write it into the contract.
- What if I find a problem after the final payment?
- Contact the contractor in writing with photos and a description. Keeping the paperwork from the job makes these conversations easier.
General information for Littleton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.