Documents & records
Punch list
A punch list is what a superintendent, owner's rep or architect writes down while walking finished work: the paint holidays, the missing cover plate, the door that won't latch, the caulk joint that was skipped. Each item names the location, describes the defect and gets assigned to whoever owns the fix. The area isn't done until every item is corrected and signed off.
Run it with the Photo Gate
Punch list template
15 items · 21 photos required
How it shows up on site
Punch usually starts as a pre-punch the GC runs on itself, then the formal walk with the owner and design team near substantial completion. Items are tagged to a room or an exact spot, given a responsible trade, and tracked open-to-closed. A back-check walk confirms the fixes before the item is retired.
The hard part is not writing the list but proving each item was actually corrected. A line that just flips to "closed" in a spreadsheet is a promise, not evidence.
What proves it
A defensible closeout pairs every punch item with a before and after photo tied to the location it was written against. When the item is QR-tagged to the room or assembly, the correction photo lands on the right line automatically and the back-check walk becomes a review instead of a re-hunt.
Guides that use it
- How to inspect doors and hardwareInspect doors and hardware against the door and hardware schedules (frames, fire ratings, hardware function, clearances, and closing) so every opening operates and latches.
- How to inspect acoustical ceilingsInspect acoustical ceilings from the grid up (layout, suspension and seismic bracing, level, panel fit, and coordination with everything landing in the tile) before they're loaded.
- How to inspect casework and millworkInspect casework and millwork against the shop drawings (blocking, materials and finish, fit and level, hardware, and scribe) so cabinets and trim land true and operate.
- How to inspect an elevator installationInspect an elevator installation as the GC (hoistway, machine room, entrances, fire and life-safety interfaces, and readiness) while the licensed inspector and AHJ certify the equipment.
Checklists that put punch list to work
Free, field-ready checklists, each with the photo every item needs before it can be submitted.
Related terms
- Nonconformance report (NCR)A formal record raised when installed work does not meet the drawings, specs or an accepted standard, and the plan to resolve it.
- As-built drawingsThe construction drawings marked up to show how the work was actually installed, including every field change from the original design.
- Daily construction reportThe dated record of what happened on site each day: crews present, work done, weather, deliveries, inspections and issues.
- Follow-up phase inspectionThe third phase of control: recurring checks while a feature is built out, confirming it stays true to the standard set at the initial phase.
- Punch walkA walk-through of completed work where the team tags every remaining defect and incomplete item onto the punch list.
- Back-checkThe return visit that confirms a punch or deficiency item was actually corrected before it is closed off the list.
Knowing the term is step one. Proving it is the job.
RTI holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and the photos are attached, then chains the record so it can be proven untouched later.
30-day trial · No card required