Punch List: Final Details Before Move-In

Overview

Typical Duration: 1-2 weeks
DIY Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5 - Mostly detail work)
Typical Cost: $500-$2,000 (materials and small fixes)
When to DIY: Most punch list items
When to Hire: Specialized fixes (plumbing leaks, electrical issues)

The punch list is your final quality control step. It's a comprehensive list of small items that need completion or correction before you call the house finished. Getting this right ensures you pass final inspection and move into a properly completed home.

When This Step Happens

Must be complete first: All major construction finished
Can happen in parallel: Final grading, landscaping
What comes after: Final inspection, Certificate of Occupancy, move-in

What Is a Punch List?

Definition

A punch list is a detailed inventory of:

Incomplete work
Quality issues needing correction
Cosmetic defects
Missing items
Things not working properly

It's NOT:

Major construction work
Design changes
Additions to scope
Things you decided not to do

Who Creates It?

Owner-builder scenario:

You create your own punch list
Walk through with critical eye
Bring fresh eyes (spouse, friend, family)
Review against plans and contract specs

If you hired contractors:

Walk through with each contractor
Create punch list together
They fix items on their list
Final inspection after punch list complete

Creating Your Punch List

Timing

When to start: 2-3 weeks before target final inspection Why: Gives time to fix everything without rushing

The Walkthrough Process

Step 1: Room-by-Room Inspection (Day 1-2)

Bring with you:

Clipboard and paper (or tablet)
Camera or phone for photos
Flashlight
House plans for reference
Outlet tester
Level

For EACH room, check:

Walls and Ceilings:

[ ] Paint coverage complete and even
[ ] No unpainted spots or touch-ups needed
[ ] Drywall seams smooth (no visible joints)
[ ] No cracks or nail pops
[ ] Corner beads straight
[ ] Texture consistent (if textured)

Trim Work:

[ ] All baseboard installed
[ ] All door casings installed
[ ] All window casings installed
[ ] Crown molding complete (if applicable)
[ ] Miters tight and flush
[ ] Nail holes filled
[ ] Caulking complete (trim to wall)
[ ] Paint or stain complete

Doors:

[ ] All doors hung
[ ] Doors open and close properly
[ ] Doorknobs/hardware installed
[ ] Doorstops installed
[ ] Strike plates aligned
[ ] No rubbing or sticking
[ ] Locksets work properly

Windows:

[ ] All windows installed
[ ] Windows open and close smoothly
[ ] Locks function properly
[ ] Screens installed
[ ] Cranks/handles attached (if applicable)
[ ] No broken seals or cracks
[ ] Properly caulked inside and out

Flooring:

[ ] All flooring installed
[ ] No loose boards or tiles
[ ] Transitions installed
[ ] Grout complete (if tile)
[ ] No scratches or damage
[ ] Clean and protected

Electrical:

[ ] All outlets installed and working
[ ] All switches installed and working
[ ] Outlet covers installed
[ ] Switch covers installed
[ ] All light fixtures installed
[ ] All lights working (test each)
[ ] Ceiling fans working (if applicable)
[ ] GFCI outlets test properly
[ ] Breakers labeled in panel

HVAC:

[ ] All registers installed
[ ] All return grilles installed
[ ] Thermostat installed and working
[ ] System heating properly
[ ] System cooling properly
[ ] No odd noises or vibrations

Step 2: Kitchen Inspection

Cabinets:

[ ] All cabinets installed level and secure
[ ] Doors and drawers open/close properly
[ ] Hardware installed (knobs, pulls)
[ ] Soft-close mechanisms working (if applicable)
[ ] No gaps between cabinets and walls
[ ] Touch-up paint complete

Countertops:

[ ] Installed level and secure
[ ] Seams tight (if multiple pieces)
[ ] Properly sealed
[ ] No chips or cracks
[ ] Overhang consistent
[ ] Backsplash complete and grouted

Appliances:

[ ] All appliances installed
[ ] All appliances working
[ ] Properly leveled
[ ] Connections secure (water, gas, electric)
[ ] Dishwasher drains properly
[ ] Range/oven heats properly
[ ] Refrigerator cooling
[ ] Microwave working

Plumbing:

[ ] Sink installed and sealed
[ ] Faucet working (hot and cold)
[ ] No leaks under sink
[ ] Garbage disposal working (if applicable)
[ ] Drain stopper working

Step 3: Bathroom Inspection (Each Bathroom)

Vanity and Sink:

[ ] Vanity installed level and secure
[ ] Sink properly sealed
[ ] Faucet working properly
[ ] Hot and cold water correct
[ ] No leaks
[ ] Drain working properly
[ ] Pop-up drain working

Toilet:

[ ] Toilet installed and sealed
[ ] Flushes properly
[ ] Fills and shuts off
[ ] No leaks at base or tank
[ ] Seat installed

Shower/Tub:

[ ] Properly sealed and caulked
[ ] No leaks
[ ] Faucet/valve working properly
[ ] Showerhead installed
[ ] Proper water pressure
[ ] Hot and cold correct (not reversed)
[ ] Tile work complete and grouted
[ ] Drain working properly

Accessories:

[ ] Towel bars installed
[ ] Toilet paper holder installed
[ ] Mirrors installed
[ ] Medicine cabinet installed (if applicable)
[ ] All mounted securely in studs

Step 4: Exterior Inspection

Siding and Trim:

[ ] All siding complete
[ ] Trim painted or stained
[ ] Caulking complete
[ ] No gaps or openings

Roof:

[ ] All shingles installed
[ ] Flashing complete
[ ] Gutters installed
[ ] Downspouts complete and directed away

Doors and Windows:

[ ] Exterior doors installed and working
[ ] Locksets functioning
[ ] Weather stripping installed
[ ] Threshold seals good
[ ] All windows properly flashed

Grading and Drainage:

[ ] Final grading complete
[ ] Drainage away from foundation
[ ] No standing water
[ ] Downspouts extended away from house

Driveway and Walks:

[ ] Driveway complete
[ ] Walkways complete
[ ] Properly sloped for drainage
[ ] No trip hazards

Step 5: Systems Check

Plumbing System:

[ ] All fixtures working
[ ] No leaks anywhere
[ ] Water heater working
[ ] Proper water pressure throughout
[ ] All shut-off valves accessible

Electrical System:

[ ] All circuits working
[ ] No tripped breakers
[ ] Smoke detectors installed and working
[ ] CO detectors installed and working
[ ] Exterior outlets working (GFCI)

HVAC System:

[ ] Heat works in all rooms
[ ] AC works in all rooms (if applicable)
[ ] No cold or hot spots
[ ] Air flow adequate at all registers
[ ] Filter installed

Organizing Your Punch List

Format Options

Simple spreadsheet:

Column 1: Room/location
Column 2: Item description
Column 3: Responsible party (you or sub)
Column 4: Status (open, in progress, complete)
Column 5: Date completed

By trade:

Plumbing items
Electrical items
Drywall/paint items
Trim/finish items
Flooring items

By priority:

Critical: Must fix for final inspection
Important: Should fix before move-in
Nice to have: Can fix after move-in

Common Punch List Items

Top 20 Most Common

Paint touch-ups needed
Nail holes not filled in trim
Caulking gaps at trim
Door not latching properly
Outlet cover missing
Light fixture not installed
Grout needed (tile)
Baseboard gap at floor
Window won't lock
Faucet drips
Toilet runs continuously
Cabinet door misaligned
Countertop seam visible
Smoke detector chirping
Drywall seam visible
Flooring transition missing
Doorstop needed
Caulk needed at tub/shower
Exhaust fan not working
Exterior caulking gaps

Completing the Punch List

Timeline

Week 1:

Days 1-2: Create complete punch list
Days 3-5: Fix all items you can do yourself
Day 5: Notify contractors of their items

Week 2:

Days 1-3: Contractors fix their items
Days 4-5: Re-inspect all items
Day 5: Final walkthrough
Schedule final inspection

Prioritization

Fix first (Required for final inspection):

Safety items (smoke detectors, railings, GFCI)
Code violations
Systems not working (plumbing leaks, electrical issues)
Incomplete work (missing fixtures, unpainted areas)

Fix second (Nice for move-in):

Cosmetic issues (paint touch-ups)
Minor adjustments (door alignment)
Finish details (caulking)

Can wait (After move-in):

Landscaping details
Minor cosmetic items
Non-critical improvements

Working with Contractors on Punch List

Communication

Best practices:

Provide written list (not just verbal)
Include photos of issues
Group items by trade
Set deadline for completion
Schedule follow-up inspection

What to say: "Here's the punch list for your scope of work. Please let me know when these items are complete so I can inspect before final inspection."

Not: "You did a terrible job, fix all this!"

Managing Pushback

If contractor resists:

Contractor says: "That's normal/acceptable" You say: "I understand, but per code/contract, this needs to be corrected."

Contractor says: "That'll cost extra" You say: "This is completion of work already contracted. Extra payment is not warranted."

Contractor says: "I'm too busy" You say: "I need these items completed by [date] or I'll need to hire someone else and deduct cost from your payment."

Final Payment

Best practice: Hold 10% of contractor payment until punch list complete Why: Gives you leverage to ensure completion When to pay: After you inspect and approve all punch list items

Punch List Checklist Template

Download our comprehensive punch list template:

Room-by-room checklist
All systems included
Organized by priority
Photo documentation section

Link to: Punch List Template

Quality Checkpoints

Before calling punch list complete:

Completeness:

[ ] Every room inspected
[ ] All systems tested
[ ] Exterior fully inspected
[ ] Fresh eyes walked through
[ ] Photos taken of any issues

Items Addressed:

[ ] All critical items fixed
[ ] All code-related items complete
[ ] All safety items addressed
[ ] Systems fully functional
[ ] Cosmetic items acceptable

Final Inspection Readiness:

[ ] House clean and accessible
[ ] All contractors completed work
[ ] No open work or missing items
[ ] Ready for inspector visit
[ ] Final inspection scheduled

Common Mistakes

1. Waiting Too Long

Problem: Creating punch list day before final inspection Solution: Start 2-3 weeks out, allow time for fixes

2. Being Too Lenient

Problem: "Good enough" on quality issues Solution: Hold to standards—you'll live with these issues for years

3. Not Getting Fresh Eyes

Problem: You're too familiar, miss obvious issues Solution: Have spouse/friend/family walk through with you

4. Paying Contractors Before Punch List

Problem: No leverage to get items fixed Solution: Hold 10% until punch list complete

5. Ignoring "Small" Items

Problem: Dozens of small items = big quality issues Solution: Fix everything on the list, no matter how small

6. No Documentation

Problem: Forgot what needs fixing, contractors dispute items Solution: Written list, photos, clear communication

What Comes Next

After punch list is complete:

Schedule final inspection
Inspector visits and signs off
Receive Certificate of Occupancy
Construction loan converts (if applicable)
Move in!

Typical gap between punch list completion and move-in: 1 week

Link to: Certificate of Occupancy

Related Resources

Ready for final inspection? Our final inspection guide prepares you for the inspector visit.

Moving in soon? See our move-in checklist for final preparation.