After the construction is done, whether you’re having a house built or a room painted, the client generally has the right to conduct an inspection and identify punch list items. A punch list is a list of repairs or touch-ups that need to be completed to bring a job to a successful conclusion for the client. Ensure that your contractor knows you will create a punch list and that all punch repairs will be completed at no additional cost before you agree to start work.
The type of work will dictate the type of punch you will do. For paint, trim, drywall and tile, buy a roll of that blue painter’s tape (you could be bold and use your contractor’s tape if you have that kind of relationship). It is adhesive and easy to see, but will not mess up the paint or tile underneath. Use a piece of the tape to identify any of the following: thin paint, dripping paint, paint on trim, an unsightly seam in a countertop or wall, lumpy drywall, uneven drywall or crooked tiles. Be liberal with your blue tape because your punch is your only opportunity to get mistakes corrected without incurring an extra fee. The reason the client is usually not charged for punch list items is because the work should have been done properly the first time. Of course, construction workers aren’t perfect, so the client gets an opportunity to have the work delivered as promised.
You cannot be too detailed in your punch. Remember, after this you’ve either got to shell out more cash for repairs or DIY. So get on your hands and knees and inspect paint; flush toilets; try every single electrical outlet with your cell phone charger; open every window and make sure all doors open, close lock and unlock easily. Take a few marbles, stand in the middle of the floor and drop them. If all the marbles roll to one corner, you have an uneven floor. Does that matter? Maybe not, depends on the reason for the unevenness. Ask questions! I have heard stories about buyers actually sliding around on their bellies to test the smoothness of new hardwood floors. That’s too far even for me, but I understand it. Don’t worry about being too hard on your contractor/developer. They expect this from seasoned clients. Since you drew up a scope of work, got bids and made sure a punch list was included in your contract, your contractor will definitely think you are a pro!
As a pro, steer clear of rookie mistakes. Do not confuse a punch list item with a change order. A punch list item is a mistake or oversight that requires correction; a change order is a new request that was not included in the original scope of work. For instance, a bathtub installation with spotty thin caulking is a punch list item. You should have even, uniform caulking that acts as a proper water barrier. A bathtub that you have had installed and now want to have reglazed is a change order. Change orders are usually very expensive because the client is charged a “change order fee”, usually a percentage of the cost of the new work, on top of the charge for the work and materials. Contractors say they charge change order fees because of the cost of rescheduling their crews, not ordering in bulk, blah, blah, blah. At the end of the day, it’s a whopper of an extra cost for you, so try to think through and negotiate for your entire scope of work at the beginning of a job.
Avoid change orders, punch a like a woman (or a man) possessed, and enjoy your renovation!
The type of work will dictate the type of punch you will do. For paint, trim, drywall and tile, buy a roll of that blue painter’s tape (you could be bold and use your contractor’s tape if you have that kind of relationship). It is adhesive and easy to see, but will not mess up the paint or tile underneath. Use a piece of the tape to identify any of the following: thin paint, dripping paint, paint on trim, an unsightly seam in a countertop or wall, lumpy drywall, uneven drywall or crooked tiles. Be liberal with your blue tape because your punch is your only opportunity to get mistakes corrected without incurring an extra fee. The reason the client is usually not charged for punch list items is because the work should have been done properly the first time. Of course, construction workers aren’t perfect, so the client gets an opportunity to have the work delivered as promised.
You cannot be too detailed in your punch. Remember, after this you’ve either got to shell out more cash for repairs or DIY. So get on your hands and knees and inspect paint; flush toilets; try every single electrical outlet with your cell phone charger; open every window and make sure all doors open, close lock and unlock easily. Take a few marbles, stand in the middle of the floor and drop them. If all the marbles roll to one corner, you have an uneven floor. Does that matter? Maybe not, depends on the reason for the unevenness. Ask questions! I have heard stories about buyers actually sliding around on their bellies to test the smoothness of new hardwood floors. That’s too far even for me, but I understand it. Don’t worry about being too hard on your contractor/developer. They expect this from seasoned clients. Since you drew up a scope of work, got bids and made sure a punch list was included in your contract, your contractor will definitely think you are a pro!
As a pro, steer clear of rookie mistakes. Do not confuse a punch list item with a change order. A punch list item is a mistake or oversight that requires correction; a change order is a new request that was not included in the original scope of work. For instance, a bathtub installation with spotty thin caulking is a punch list item. You should have even, uniform caulking that acts as a proper water barrier. A bathtub that you have had installed and now want to have reglazed is a change order. Change orders are usually very expensive because the client is charged a “change order fee”, usually a percentage of the cost of the new work, on top of the charge for the work and materials. Contractors say they charge change order fees because of the cost of rescheduling their crews, not ordering in bulk, blah, blah, blah. At the end of the day, it’s a whopper of an extra cost for you, so try to think through and negotiate for your entire scope of work at the beginning of a job.
Avoid change orders, punch a like a woman (or a man) possessed, and enjoy your renovation!
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