What is a Punch List? It is the list that is created once a construction project, new home, or remodel is complete. It can be created by the general contractor and/or the Individual that had the project, new home or remodel. On this list, the general contractor has gone through the home and noted things that need to be fixed, replaced, or touched up. There might be a first punch list by the general contractor/builder so things are fixed. Once things are fixed, then the individual might see things they want corrected, creating a second punch list.

Is a Punch list bad? No, it is just an inspection by the contractor or individual on a completed project. Everyone is human and some items can be overlooked or changed. Take a new home, for instance; there are many components and people that go into completing this project. You have one subcontractor ending a job and another coming in. Paint can be scraped, dust on the newly hung ceiling fan blades is still present, and labels still on the windows are just a tiny portion of things that might appear on this punch list. So it technically is a good list. It is a list to keep everyone happy and make sure all items are taken care of.

Does a punch list cost the individual any more money? No, not unless the individual does not like something specifically – like the color in the bathrooms and he/she wants another color. This change would be a change order. It would involve the painter coming back in and purchasing more paint, so the Individual will be given a new price to make this change, but if the individual finds the inside of the cabinets were not wiped out, they need to put this on their punch list to be completed. This task will be handled and marked off the punch list.

I would highly recommend when an individual creates a punch list for the general contractor/builder that they walk the job and discuss some of the items. This way, everyone stays on the same page. I would then recommend you have a final walk-through on the project for the general contractor to show the individual all items that have been taken care of on the punch list. If the individual is still not happy with the completion of an item on the punch list, tell the contractor and ask them to correct the issue. You need to make sure you are happy with the job done.

How do you create a punch list? Ask your builder to help you if you don’t know how to go through your home to inspect items. They want you to be pleased with their work so you will use them again or recommend them. This is a normal practice in a new home or remodel. So, always do a punch list. You will be living in the new home or remodel, so make sure you are pleased with all the work. If your contractor does not do a punch list at the end of the project – think twice about using them.

For ALL Your Real Estate and Building needs or questions, call Debbie at (830) 833-4249 / (713)818-6658 or debbie@vallonerealestate.net