Checklist templates · Checklist template
Punch List / Final Walkthrough checklist
A punch list only works if everyone is looking at the same list, in a room by room order, with each line written as a check that can pass or fail. This template covers the items that come up on most final walkthroughs, from the exterior to the closeout paperwork. Take it on site, mark what fails, add a photo to each failure, and assign it.
01Exterior
Siding, render and trim are complete with no gaps or unpainted edges
Exterior paint covers evenly with no drips or overspray on glass and hardware
Gutters and downpipes are fixed, sloped, and discharge away from the foundation
Exterior doors close and latch without rubbing, and the weatherstripping seals
Windows open, close and lock, and the screens are fitted
Exterior sealant is continuous at windows, doors and all penetrations
Exterior lights and receptacles work, and the receptacle covers are weather rated
Walkways, steps and railings are secure and free of trip hazards
The site is clear of debris and the grading and landscaping are restored
02Entry and living areas
Doors close and latch without rubbing
Door hardware is aligned, tight, and set at a consistent height
Floors are free of squeaks, gaps, scratches and lifted edges
Transitions and thresholds are secure and flush
Trim and skirting joints are filled, sanded and painted
Walls are free of nail pops, visible tape lines, roller marks and patch shadows
Ceilings are free of cracks and stains, and light fittings are centered and level
Switches, receptacles and cover plates are level, tight and working
Windows lock, the glass is clean, and all labels are removed
03Kitchen
Cabinet doors and drawers align, close fully, and clear each other
Drawer and door hardware is straight, tight and consistent
Countertop seams are tight, flush and color matched
Sink cutout edges are finished and the sink is sealed to the counter
Faucet and sprayer work with no leak under the sink
Dishwasher is level, secured, and drains with no leak after a full cycle
Range hood runs at every speed, the light works, and the duct exhausts outside
Range and refrigerator sit level with even gaps to the cabinets
GFCI receptacles trip and reset, and the under cabinet lighting works
Backsplash grout and sealant are complete and clean
04Bathrooms
Toilet is secure, does not rock, and refills without running on
Vanity is level and fixed to the wall, with the top sealed at the wall
Faucet and drain work with no leak inside the cabinet
Hot and cold are on the correct sides at every fixture
Shower drains fully with no standing water left on the floor
Shower door closes, seals, and does not drip outside the enclosure
Tile is flat, grout is complete, and changes of plane are sealed with flexible sealant
Exhaust fan holds a sheet of tissue to the grille and vents to the outside
Mirror, accessories and grab bars are fixed into blocking
GFCI protection works at every receptacle
05Bedrooms
Doors close, latch, and clear the finished floor
Closet doors, tracks and shelving run smoothly and are secure
Walls and ceilings are free of visible patches and roller marks
Floors are level and free of gaps at the walls and transitions
Every receptacle, switch and ceiling fitting works
Windows open, lock, and have working locks and fitted screens
Smoke alarm is installed, powered and tested
Registers and grilles are fitted and airflow reaches the room
06Mechanical and utility
Heating and cooling reach the set temperature in every room
Filters are new and accessible, and the filter size is recorded
Water heater is supported, vented, and set to the specified temperature
No leaks at the water heater, shutoffs, hose bibs or any visible pipe
Electrical panel is clearly labeled and the cover is fitted
No circuit trips under normal load
Dryer vent runs to the outside with no crushed sections
Sump pump, floor drains and any backflow device operate
Attic and crawl space insulation is complete and access hatches are sealed
07Paperwork and closeout
All permits are closed and every final inspection has passed
Completion or occupancy certificate is issued and filed
Warranties, manuals and equipment serial numbers are collected
As built drawings and pre-drywall photographs are handed over
Lien releases are signed by the contractor and every subcontractor
Paint, tile and flooring product names and batch numbers are recorded
Spare materials are labeled and stored
Keys, remotes, access codes and alarm codes are handed over
Every open punch list item has an agreed completion date before final payment
Who uses this checklist
- General contractors
- Subcontractors
- Site supervisors
- Homeowners
- Property managers
- Inspectors
- Architects
Questions people ask
- When should the punch list be created?
- Walk the project when the work is substantially complete but before the crew leaves, and write the list on site with the contractor present. A list written after everyone has moved to the next job turns into a negotiation instead of a task list.
- How should a punch list item be written?
- As a single check that either passes or fails, in one sentence, naming the room and the location. Compare "Doors close and latch without rubbing" with "door problem": only the first tells a carpenter what to do and lets anyone confirm it is done.
- How much should be held back until the punch list is clear?
- That depends on the contract, but the retained amount has to be large enough that finishing the list is worth more to the contractor than walking away from it. Agree the figure and the completion date in the contract rather than at the walkthrough.
- Does everyone need to read the list in the same language?
- No, and that is the point of this template. The list is written once and each person sees it in their own language, along with the comments and photos, so a bilingual job does not need two separate lists that drift apart.
Read before you start
Remodeling
How to Write a Contractor Punch List
A room-by-room method for the final walkthrough, how to describe defects so they actually get fixed, US retainage norms, and how to sign off cleanly.
Multilingual job sites
Building a Bilingual Construction Checklist (English / Spanish)
How to structure a construction checklist that works in English and Spanish: phases, item ownership, done-when definitions, change orders, daily logs, and sample items.
Remodeling
Renovation Progress Reports: What a Good One Contains
What a monthly or weekly progress report from your contractor should include, a sample structure, red flags to watch for, and how to ask for one without friction.
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