Free checklist
Exterior deckingExterior decking punch checklist
Exterior decking 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 the applicable building code, manufacturer's published instructions. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction has adopted.
- Items
- 2
- Photos required
- 3
- Built for
- Subcontractors
Who runs it
The deck crew on a callback, or the GC's superintendent clearing deck punch items before turnover.
When in the schedule
During closeout, after the deck has been used and after the first weather cycle reveals movement and fastener pops.
The checklist
Every item, and the photo that proves it
The photo count on each row is what RTI would require before the item can be submitted. Copy the list as is, or load it into RTI and let the gate enforce it.
Boards and fasteners
- 1 photo
Loose boards and popped fasteners corrected
Loose or cupped boards re-fastened into sound framing, popped fasteners set or replaced, surface left flat and tight.
Guards and finish
- 2 photos
Wobbly guards re-anchored and finish re-checked
Guards and railings re-anchored to blocking and re-tested for movement, damaged boards or finish repaired, item photographed closed.
What usually sends this back
The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work
- A fastener that popped or a board that squares up loose re-driven at the surface without checking the joist below it is still sound.
- A guard that developed a wobble tightened at the visible screw but never re-anchored to blocking, so it works loose again.
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 3 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper-evident record behind every line.
Submission state
The gate is enforced on the server, so it holds even if the phone is offline when the walk happens.
Common questions
- What does this exterior decking punch checklist cover?
- 2 items across 2 sections, covering boards and fasteners, guards and finish. 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 deck crew on a callback, or the GC's superintendent clearing deck punch items before turnover.
- When in the schedule should this walk happen?
- During closeout, after the deck has been used and after the first weather cycle reveals movement and fastener pops.
- Why does every item ask for a photo?
- 3 of the 2 items call for photo evidence. 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 exterior decking punch inspection?
- A fastener that popped or a board that squares up loose re-driven at the surface without checking the joist below it is still sound. A guard that developed a wobble tightened at the visible screw but never re-anchored to blocking, so it works loose again.
- 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.
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