What does this casework and millwork final checklist cover?

14 items across 4 sections, covering setting and anchorage, doors, drawers and hardware, countertops, condition at handover. 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 GC's superintendent with the casework foreman, walking each installed run before the owner's punch walk.

When in the schedule should this walk happen?

After casework is set and countertops are in, before turnover and before the room is loaded with fixtures and contents.

Why do these items ask for a photo?

12 of the 14 items call for photo evidence, 16 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 casework and millwork final inspection?

Cabinet run leveled front-to-back but not scribed to a wavy wall, leaving a tapering gap the caulk can't hide. Uppers hung to the drywall alone where the blocking was missed, holding until they are loaded and then pulling out. Countertop seam set over an unsupported gap, so it flexes and the joint opens at the first heavy lean.

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

Casework and millwork

Casework and millwork final inspection checklist

Casework and millwork final inspection is where the punch list is either short or expensive. This checklist walks the finished work the way an owner or AHJ will see it: devices on, systems running, everything labeled. Each item gets the photo that closes it instead of reopening it. Work is commonly verified against AWI / architectural woodwork standards, 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.

Setting and anchorage

Runs level, plumb and scribed to the walls
Cabinet faces and tops level and plumb across the run, scribes tight to the wall and floor, fillers cut so the reveal stays even.
Casework anchored into blocking, not board alone
Fasteners landing in the blocking or framing at the cleats and cabinet backs, uppers pulled firmly to the wall with no movement when tugged.
Installed layout matches the approved shop drawings
Box sizes, sequence and configuration on each elevation checked against the approved shop drawings, any field change noted for the record set.
No photo
Adjacent boxes fastened together flush at the faces
Neighboring cabinets screwed together through face frames or sides, faces flush with no gap or step between boxes along the run.
Base cabinets shimmed solid at the floor and wall
Shims at each fastener point so backs are not pulled crooked when screwed, shims trimmed and hidden, toe kick continuous along the run.
Exposed ends, fillers and toe kicks finished to match
Finished end panels, fillers and toe kick faces in the specified material and finish, cut edges banded or finished, no raw substrate showing.

Doors, drawers and hardware

Doors and drawers aligned and operating
Reveals even top and bottom, doors closing flush without rubbing, drawers running smoothly and self-closing where specified.
Hardware installed complete and consistent
Pulls and knobs on consistent centers, hinges and slides adjusted, locks and any specified accessories present and working.
Shelves level with supports fully seated
Adjustable shelf pins seated in all four holes, fixed shelves secured, no shelf rocking, tipping forward or sagging mid-span.

Countertops

Countertop seams and support checked
Seams tight and flush, tops fully supported at cutouts and overhangs, no flex or rock when pressed at the seam or the front edge.
Countertop height and overhang match the drawings
Top height from the finished floor and front overhang measured against the drawings, including any lowered accessible section they show.
Cutouts sized to their fixtures with edges sealed
Sink and other cutouts cut to the fixture template, cut edges sealed against moisture, inside corners radiused rather than overcut.

Condition at handover

Finish faces logged undamaged before other trades return
Faces, edges and tops walked for scratches, dents, chips and glue squeeze-out after setting; any damage recorded by room so later damage is traceable.
Care data and specified touch-up materials handed over
Manufacturer's care and hardware adjustment instructions and any touch-up kit or spare parts the specification lists delivered to the GC for the turnover package.
No photo

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

Cabinet run leveled front-to-back but not scribed to a wavy wall, leaving a tapering gap the caulk can't hide.
Uppers hung to the drywall alone where the blocking was missed, holding until they are loaded and then pulling out.
Countertop seam set over an unsupported gap, so it flexes and the joint opens at the first heavy lean.

Verified against

AWI architectural woodwork standards

Common questions

6 answers

What does this casework and millwork final checklist cover?: 14 items across 4 sections, covering setting and anchorage, doors, drawers and hardware, countertops, condition at handover. 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 GC's superintendent with the casework foreman, walking each installed run before the owner's punch walk.
When in the schedule should this walk happen?: After casework is set and countertops are in, before turnover and before the room is loaded with fixtures and contents.
Why do these items ask for a photo?: 12 of the 14 items call for photo evidence, 16 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 casework and millwork final inspection?: Cabinet run leveled front-to-back but not scribed to a wavy wall, leaving a tapering gap the caulk can't hide. Uppers hung to the drywall alone where the blocking was missed, holding until they are loaded and then pulling out. Countertop seam set over an unsupported gap, so it flexes and the joint opens at the first heavy lean.
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

Casework and millwork Rough-inCasework and millwork rough-in inspection checklistIn-wall blocking and backing verified against shop drawings before drywall closes it in14 items14 photos Casework and millwork PunchCasework and millwork punch checklistCloseout walk for alignment adjustments, damaged faces and caulk lines9 items8 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 16 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident record behind every line.