What’s a Punch List?

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A punch list is a list of tasks that need to be completed to meet the terms of a construction contract. It can be created during the final stages of construction and can include anything from cleaning up scraps to finishing touches. The list can be managed as a written or electronic checklist and is useful for project management. It helps to clearly set out expectations in the contract before work begins to avoid any issues later on. Many construction information websites have sample lists that people can print out to identify problems that need to be corrected.

A punch mark is a list of tasks that must be completed to meet the terms of a construction contract. Such lists can be included in the contract itself, but are more commonly generated in the final stages of construction, when people walk around the site and note any problems and deficiencies that need to be addressed. They’re very useful for project management, whether people are dealing with a contractor or doing the work themselves, because it’s easy to miss small details that can be problematic later on.

The term “punch list” is a reference to the fact that people used to punch a hole in the paper next to the tasks that had been completed. Today these lists can be managed as simple written checklists, or even in electronic format. The electronic ones are very convenient because they can be distributed to many people and can be updated instantly, allowing everyone to see the progress. This can be especially important when multiple contractors are faced with the same problem.

When a list is created, people think about the terms of the contract and go around the construction site noting anything that isn’t perfect. The list can include anything from “cleaning up scraps at the yard” to “finishing up the finishing touches in the bedroom.” Building inspectors can generate these for property owners to alert them to issues that need to be fixed before a property passes inspection, and property owners can walk and create their own lists of things that need to be done before the contractor can be paid. A contractor can also make one for workers to complete in the final stages of a job.

For large projects, it helps to clearly set out expectations in the contract before work begins. For example, a homeowner would specify that a remodel should be fully completed and cleaned up before the contractor is paid. While this may seem redundant, some contractors can leave jobs unfinished or leave messes behind, and by stating clear parameters in the contract, property owners can save themselves a lot of hassle.

Many construction information websites have sample lists that people can print out to include in contracts and inspections of a project in its final days to identify problems that need to be corrected. While some items may seem petty, landlords should remember that the contractor is paid to complete a job in full, not leave minor, irritating tasks for someone else to complete, and contractors will respect complaints or concerns that have clearly been outlined on a list.




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