What does this soil stabilization punch checklist cover?

9 items across 3 sections, covering rework and cure, site cleanup, grade and signoff. 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 earthwork foreman on a callback, or the GC's superintendent closing subgrade punch before paving mobilizes.

When in the schedule should this walk happen?

During closeout of the stabilized area, after the section has been walked and any soft spots flagged, before the next course is released.

Why do these items ask for a photo?

4 of the 9 items call for photo evidence, 4 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 soil stabilization punch inspection?

A soft spot bladed over and re-graded on the surface while the failed material underneath is left in place. Curing membrane skipped where wind and sun dried the surface, so a section loses strength before it's covered.

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

Soil stabilization

Soil stabilization punch checklist

Soil stabilization 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 project geotechnical report and specifications. 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.

Rework and cure

Soft or pumping areas re-worked to depth
Failed area re-mixed or removed and replaced to full depth, re-compacted and re-tested, not just re-bladed on top.
No photo
Curing membrane or moisture protection in place
Curing membrane or continued moisture applied where the design calls for it, surface protected from drying until the next course goes down.
No photo
Surface walked for ruts and tracking since release
Ruts, tire tracks and scuffed spots from site traffic re-bladed and rolled, loosened material removed down to the firm treated layer.
Trench cuts through the treated layer restored per the design
Any utility cut made after stabilization backfilled and compacted as the geotechnical engineer directs, with the testing lab's retest logged.
No photo

Site cleanup

Additive residue cleaned off curbs, paving and inlets
Lime or cement dust and slurry washed or swept from adjacent paving, curbs and storm inlets before it sets or runs into the drainage system.
Leftover additive, bags and pallets removed or stored covered
Unused additive kept dry under cover or hauled off, empty bags and pallets cleared from the section and staging area.

Grade and signoff

Grade corrections closed before release
Any low or high spots corrected and re-shot to grade, section released to the next course with photos of the final condition.
Reworked areas reviewed by the geotechnical engineer before release
Geotechnical engineer's field note or email covering each reworked soft spot filed with the testing lab's retest results.
No photo
Open punch items listed by station for the paving foreman
Handoff to the paving or base course crew lists each remaining item by station, so no untested rework gets covered.
No photo

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

A soft spot bladed over and re-graded on the surface while the failed material underneath is left in place.
Curing membrane skipped where wind and sun dried the surface, so a section loses strength before it's covered.

Common questions

6 answers

What does this soil stabilization punch checklist cover?: 9 items across 3 sections, covering rework and cure, site cleanup, grade and signoff. 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 earthwork foreman on a callback, or the GC's superintendent closing subgrade punch before paving mobilizes.
When in the schedule should this walk happen?: During closeout of the stabilized area, after the section has been walked and any soft spots flagged, before the next course is released.
Why do these items ask for a photo?: 4 of the 9 items call for photo evidence, 4 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 soil stabilization punch inspection?: A soft spot bladed over and re-graded on the surface while the failed material underneath is left in place. Curing membrane skipped where wind and sun dried the surface, so a section loses strength before it's covered.
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

Soil stabilization Rough-inSoil stabilization rough-in inspection checklistSubgrade, additive type and spread rate, mixing depth and moisture verified before compaction closes the section15 items15 photos Soil stabilization FinalSoil stabilization final inspection checklistCompaction and density, cure or mellowing period, finished grade and surface tightness confirmed before the next course14 items12 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 4 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident record behind every line.