What does this window treatments final checklist cover?

14 items across 5 sections, covering mounting and alignment, operation, fabric and finish, clearances and safety, and more. 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 shade installer with the GC's superintendent, walking mounted units after finish and before turnover.

When in the schedule should this walk happen?

After treatments are mounted and motorized units are powered and programmed, before turnover walks and before the space is furnished.

Why do these items ask for a photo?

9 of the 14 items call for photo evidence, 11 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 window treatments final inspection?

A row of shades mounted to individual brackets rather than a common line, so the hems step up and down across the windows and the mismatch shows against the daylight. Motorized shades powered but limits and grouping not set, so a shade overruns its stop or a group scene drops one unit out of sync. Fabric handled with bare or dirty hands during install, leaving marks and creases on light material that the final walk catches under raking light.

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

Window treatments

Window treatments final inspection checklist

Window treatments 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 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.

Mounting and alignment

Units level and aligned across the run
Each unit level and plumb, headrails and hems on a common line across adjacent windows, even gaps to jambs and sill, fascia closed and straight.
Every bracket engaged and fastened into backing
Brackets at the manufacturer's spacing, screws into blocking rather than anchors in drywall alone, headrails or roller ends clipped fully home and locked.
Mount position and overlap match the schedule
Inside or outside mount, unit width and overlap past the jambs as the schedule and shop drawings show for each opening, with no unit cut short of the glass.

Operation

Manual and motorized units operate through full travel
Shades and blinds raise, lower and tilt smoothly through full travel, motorized limits set top and bottom, groups and scenes respond and stop where intended.
No accessible loose cords or loops at any unit
Manual units cordless or fitted with the tension device or break-away connector the manufacturer's safety-standard compliance lists; no loose cord loop hangs within reach at any unit.
Motorized limits and group assignments on the installer's record
Where motorized shades are installed, the installer's programming record lists each unit's limits, group and scene, matched to the room and window numbers.
No photo

Fabric and finish

Fabric clean, undamaged and hanging true
Material free of marks, creases and pulls, hems square, drapery hanging in even folds, no rubbing against pocket edges or hardware.
Fabric, color and openness match the approved sample
Installed fabric line, color and openness compared with the approved sample and the roll or unit label, consistent across every unit in the room.

Clearances and safety

Raised or stacked treatment clear of sprinklers and devices
At full up or full open, headrail, roll and stacked fabric clear of sprinkler deflectors, detectors and diffusers by the clearance the drawings and coordination set.
Stack leaves window hardware, sills and mullions clear
Raised units and stacked drapery leave operable sash, locks, cranks, door handles and sills free to use, with no bottom rail resting on hardware.
Side channels and sill angles seated where specified
Where the spec calls for light control, channels plumb and fastened, fabric edges running inside without rubbing, and the sill angle closing the bottom gap.
No photo

Owner handoff

Owner's staff trained on motorized shade controls
Where motorized shades are installed, the installer walked the owner's staff through keypads, groups, scenes and manual override, with attendees and date recorded.
No photo
Fabric care, cleaning and warranty data turned over
Manufacturer's care and cleaning instructions, warranty terms and the fabric and color list for reorders included in the closeout documents.
No photo
Treatment schedule marked to the as-installed units
Schedule updated with the fabric, mount, size and operator actually installed at each room and window, so a replacement orders to the right unit.
No photo

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

A row of shades mounted to individual brackets rather than a common line, so the hems step up and down across the windows and the mismatch shows against the daylight.
Motorized shades powered but limits and grouping not set, so a shade overruns its stop or a group scene drops one unit out of sync.
Fabric handled with bare or dirty hands during install, leaving marks and creases on light material that the final walk catches under raking light.

Common questions

6 answers

What does this window treatments final checklist cover?: 14 items across 5 sections, covering mounting and alignment, operation, fabric and finish, clearances and safety, and more. 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 shade installer with the GC's superintendent, walking mounted units after finish and before turnover.
When in the schedule should this walk happen?: After treatments are mounted and motorized units are powered and programmed, before turnover walks and before the space is furnished.
Why do these items ask for a photo?: 9 of the 14 items call for photo evidence, 11 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 window treatments final inspection?: A row of shades mounted to individual brackets rather than a common line, so the hems step up and down across the windows and the mismatch shows against the daylight. Motorized shades powered but limits and grouping not set, so a shade overruns its stop or a group scene drops one unit out of sync. Fabric handled with bare or dirty hands during install, leaving marks and creases on light material that the final walk catches under raking light.
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

Window treatments Rough-inWindow treatments rough-in inspection checklistBacking, shade pockets and the power and control rough set to the mounting layout before ceiling and wall finish close the surface14 items7 photos Window treatments PunchWindow treatments punch checklistCloseout callbacks for shades that drifted out of alignment, soiled or creased fabric, and motor limits and groups that need resetting9 items2 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 11 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident record behind every line.