Step-by-step guide

Remodel punch list: how to do the final walkthrough before the last payment

A punch list is the written list of small items left to fix or finish at the end of a project. Done well, it turns "it is mostly done" into "it is done", and it protects you before the final payment goes out.

When to do the walkthrough

Schedule it when the contractor says the work is substantially complete and the final inspection is passed or booked. Walk through together, in daylight, with the lights on and the rooms empty enough to see floors and walls. Bring the contract, the scope, every signed change order and any product selections.

What to bring

• A copy of the contract and change orders
• Painter's tape to mark spots, and a phone for photos
• A flashlight for low-angle light on walls and floors
• A notepad or the punch list form you agreed on

Room-by-room checklist

1. Walls, ceilings and paint

   Look along walls with a flashlight held flat for drywall seams, nail pops, drips, missed spots and uneven sheen. Check caulk lines at trim, counters and tubs.

2. Doors, windows and drawers

   Open and close every door, window, cabinet and drawer. They should swing freely, latch, stay put and not rub. Check locks and weatherstripping.

3. Floors and transitions

   Look for chips, gaps, scratches, lifted edges and uneven transitions between rooms. Walk the whole floor and listen for squeaks or hollow spots.

4. Tile and counters

   Check for cracked or chipped tile, missing or uneven grout, lippage you can feel, and a clean, continuous seal where tile and counters meet walls and fixtures.

5. Plumbing fixtures

   Run every faucet, shower and tub hot and cold, flush toilets, and look under sinks for drips. Fill a sink and drain it to check that it drains well and does not leak.

6. Lights, outlets and fans

   Turn on every light and test switches. Plug a lamp into outlets. Press TEST and RESET on GFCI outlets. Run exhaust fans. Report problems to the contractor; do not open electrical boxes yourself.

7. Heating, cooling and vents

   Check that registers are installed and air flows, and that the thermostat works. Ask where filters are and how to change them.

8. Outside and cleanup

   Look for leftover debris, nails in the yard, damage to landscaping or siding, and that the dumpster and portable toilet are gone. Inside, check for construction dust in vents, cabinets and on light fixtures.

How to write each item

Make every item specific enough that someone else could fix it: the location, what is wrong, what "fixed" looks like, and a photo. "Kitchen, left of range: paint drip on upper cabinet side, sand and touch up" beats "touch up kitchen". Number the items, agree on a completion date, and both sign or email-confirm the list.

Paperwork to collect before the final payment

• Proof the final inspection passed and the permit is closed out
• Manufacturer warranties, manuals and model numbers for fixtures and appliances
• The contractor's written workmanship warranty
• Paint colors, sheen and brands, tile and flooring names, and any leftover materials for future repairs
• Photos of the inside of walls before drywall, if you took them, to keep with your home records
• Lien waivers or releases from the contractor, subs and suppliers, where they apply in your state

Handling the final payment

Follow your contract. Many contracts tie the final payment to completion of the punch list and the final inspection; some let you hold back a set amount for unfinished items. Do not withhold more than the contract allows, and put any disagreement in writing with photos. If you cannot resolve it, your state contractor licensing board may offer complaint or mediation help. Oregon homeowners can start with our sister site's Oregon hiring checklist.

After the punch list

Re-walk the list when the contractor says it is finished and check off each item. Keep the signed list with your contract, permits and warranties. Put a reminder on your calendar to check the work again before the workmanship warranty runs out, when small issues like caulk gaps or settling cracks tend to show up.

Earlier in the job? See questions to ask a contractor before you sign (including warranty and closeout) and the close-out phase of the project phase checklist.

Related: Building inspections during a remodel · Questions to ask a contractor before you sign · Project phase checklist