What does this carpet and carpet tile punch checklist cover?

8 items across 3 sections, covering seam and tile callbacks, damage repair, closeout. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.

Who should run this inspection?

The carpet installer on a repair callback, or the GC's superintendent clearing carpet punch items before turnover.

When in the schedule should this walk happen?

During closeout, after protection comes up and after other trades and traffic have revealed peaking seams, lifting tile and soiling.

Why do these items ask for a photo?

2 of the 8 items call for photo evidence, 2 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.

What most often fails a carpet and carpet tile punch inspection?

A peaking seam trimmed at the surface instead of re-sealing it, closed as repaired while the underlying seam is still open and keeps fraying. A lifted tile pressed back down onto failed adhesive so it lifts again, logged as fixed without addressing why the bond let go.

Can I use this checklist in RTI?

Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

Free checklist

Carpet and carpet tile

Carpet and carpet tile punch checklist

Carpet and carpet tile punch is where small misses become callbacks after the crew has demobilized. This checklist walks the finished work the way the owner and the next trade will see it, with the photo that closes each item instead of a note that reopens it. Work is commonly verified against CRI carpet installation guidance, manufacturer's published instructions. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction has adopted.

Start free with this checklist Download as PDF

The checklist

Every item, and the photo evidence it needs

The photo count on each row is what RTI would require before the item can be submitted. Work the list here and watch the gate hold, or load it into RTI and let it enforce the real thing.

Seam and tile callbacks

Peaking seams and lifting tile resolved
Peaked or open seams re-sealed and set flat, lifted tiles re-bonded to sound adhesive or replaced, cause corrected rather than pressed back over.
No photo
Chair and cart zones checked for tile shift and pile crush
Areas under rolling chairs and along cart routes checked for tiles walking out of the grid and flattened pile, with the adhesive tack or layout fixed at the cause.
No photo
Tile corners checked for curl or doming across the field
Carpet tile walked for corners lifting or tiles doming, traced to moisture, adhesive tack or a tight layout before any tile is replaced.
No photo

Damage repair

Snags, stains and damage repaired or replaced
Snags, burns and stains located and photographed in context, tile or bonded insert replaced to match pile and pattern, wide shot confirming the repair blends.
No photo
Replaced tiles laid to match the field's installation method
Each replacement tile set with its arrow matching the monolithic, quarter-turn or other method around it and pressed into adhesive at the tack the maker lists.
No photo
Pile shading or pooling logged for the maker's review
Where pile reversal or watermarking shows, the area and roll tag recorded and referred to the carpet maker's representative rather than cut out as an install defect.
No photo

Closeout

No remaining carpet items before signoff
Field vacuumed and groomed, ripples and loose edges corrected, punch closed per room with photos before the area is released.
Transition edges checked for fraying and zippered rows
Carpet edges at doorways and floor changes checked after traffic for fraying, pulled loops and rows unraveling from the strip, with the edge re-seated or resealed.

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

A peaking seam trimmed at the surface instead of re-sealing it, closed as repaired while the underlying seam is still open and keeps fraying.
A lifted tile pressed back down onto failed adhesive so it lifts again, logged as fixed without addressing why the bond let go.

Common questions

6 answers

What does this carpet and carpet tile punch checklist cover?: 8 items across 3 sections, covering seam and tile callbacks, damage repair, closeout. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.
Who should run this inspection?: The carpet installer on a repair callback, or the GC's superintendent clearing carpet punch items before turnover.
When in the schedule should this walk happen?: During closeout, after protection comes up and after other trades and traffic have revealed peaking seams, lifting tile and soiling.
Why do these items ask for a photo?: 2 of the 8 items call for photo evidence, 2 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.
What most often fails a carpet and carpet tile punch inspection?: A peaking seam trimmed at the surface instead of re-sealing it, closed as repaired while the underlying seam is still open and keeps fraying. A lifted tile pressed back down onto failed adhesive so it lifts again, logged as fixed without addressing why the bond let go.
Can I use this checklist in RTI?: Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

Related checklists

Carpet and carpet tile Rough-inCarpet and carpet tile rough-in inspection checklistSubstrate flat, clean, dry and sound so seams stay tight and tile lies flat once carpet covers it12 items7 photos Carpet and carpet tile FinalCarpet and carpet tile final inspection checklistCarpet installed to layout with flat tight seams, tile lying flat, and transitions and base set clean12 items6 photos

Run it with the Photo Gate

A checklist nobody can submit half-finished

Load this list into RTI, stick a QR tag on the area it covers, and the submit button stays locked until every mandatory item is answered and the 2 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident record behind every line.