Free homeowner template
Punch list template and final walkthrough checklist
Walk the job once, write down everything that is unfinished or wrong, agree who fixes it and by when, and keep the record until it is signed off. Print it and carry it with you.
How to use it
A punch list is the written record of what is left at the end of a job. Walk the work with your contractor when it is nearly finished, not after the last payment. Write each item where you are standing, be specific about the defect rather than the feeling, and agree a date for each one before you leave. Hold enough of the final payment to cover the remaining work until the list is closed, and confirm the retention terms your contract already sets.
Take photos of each item as you log it. A dated photo beside a written line settles most disagreements about whether something was already there.
Punch list and final walkthrough checklist
LocalRenovationPros.com · General educational resource
Project details
1. Punch list
One line per item. Describe the defect, not the fix you assume — the trade responsible decides the repair. Status: O = open, P = in progress, D = done, V = verified by you.
| # | Room / location | What is wrong | Trade | Agreed fix | Due | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||||||
| 2 | ||||||
| 3 | ||||||
| 4 | ||||||
| 5 | ||||||
| 6 | ||||||
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| 8 | ||||||
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| 11 | ||||||
| 12 | ||||||
| 13 | ||||||
| 14 | ||||||
| 15 | ||||||
| 16 | ||||||
| 17 | ||||||
| 18 |
2. Room-by-room walkthrough
Work through each area in daylight. Anything you tick as a problem becomes a numbered line above.
Walls, ceilings, and paint
- □ Drywall seams, corners, and nail pops are flat under raking light
- □ Paint covers evenly — no thin spots, roller marks, or overspray
- □ Cut lines at trim, ceilings, and switches are clean
- □ Texture matches where new work meets existing wall
Floors
- □ No scratches, chips, hollow spots, or lifting boards
- □ Transitions between rooms and materials sit flush
- □ Grout lines are consistent and fully filled; no cracked tiles
- □ Floor does not squeak or move underfoot
Doors and windows
- □ Every door latches without forcing and does not swing on its own
- □ Gaps around doors are even top to bottom
- □ Windows open, close, and lock; screens present and undamaged
- □ Weatherstripping is continuous and seals when closed
Cabinets, counters, and tile
- □ Doors and drawers align, close fully, and do not rub
- □ Hardware is tight, straight, and consistent
- □ Countertop seams are level; cutouts are supported
- □ Caulk at backsplash, counters, and tub is continuous and clean
Plumbing
- □ No drips under every sink after running water for a minute
- □ Drains clear quickly without gurgling or backing up
- □ Shutoff valves at each fixture turn freely and do not weep
- □ Toilets sit solid with no rocking; no water at the base
- □ Shower and tub hold no standing water after draining
Electrical
- □ Every switch operates the fixture it should, and only that one
- □ Every outlet holds a plug firmly and is powered
- □ GFCI outlets trip and reset when tested
- □ Dimmers work through the full range without buzzing
- □ Cover plates are flush, straight, and complete
Heating and cooling
- □ Air comes from every register with the system running
- □ Thermostat controls both heating and cooling
- □ Return grilles and registers are secured and undamaged
- □ Bath and kitchen exhaust fans move air and vent outside
Trim and finish detail
- □ Miters at corners are tight with no open joints
- □ Baseboard meets the floor consistently around the room
- □ Caulk and filler cover nail holes and gaps
- □ Hardware, vents, and fixtures are level and centered
Exterior and site
- □ Flashing, trim, and penetrations are sealed
- □ Paint and siding are complete, including under eaves and behind fixtures
- □ Grading drains away from the house; no new low spots
- □ All debris, offcuts, fasteners, and protective film removed
3. Closeout documents
Collect these before the final payment leaves your hands.
- □ Every change order signed, with the final contract total written out
- □ Unconditional lien release from the contractor for the final payment
- □ Lien releases from subcontractors and material suppliers
- □ Final permit sign-off or inspection card for the permitted work
- □ Manufacturer warranties, manuals, and registration details
- □ Paint colors, product names, and model numbers for future repairs
- □ The contractor's own workmanship warranty, in writing, with its term
- □ Final invoice that matches the contract plus approved changes only
Sign-off
This template is general educational information, not legal, financial, engineering, or contractor advice. Lien release and retention rules are specific to your contract and jurisdiction — confirm current California requirements with the CSLB and, where money is in dispute, with a qualified professional. Local Renovation Pros is a contractor-matching platform, not a contractor.