Who creates the punch list?

The architect (on contracted projects) or the owner creates the initial punch list during the substantial-completion walkthrough. The GC then assigns items to subcontractors, tracks completion, and returns for a back-check walk. On smaller residential jobs without an architect, the GC and owner create it together.

How is a punch list tied to final payment and retainage?

Most contracts tie retainage (typically 5 to 10% of each progress draw) to punch list completion. Once every punch item is signed off, the GC can request release of retainage. Keeping the list tight and closing items quickly protects cash flow. This is one reason a mobile punch list with photos per item closes out faster than a paper list.

Is a punch list required for substantial completion?

Yes, on AIA contracts. AIA G704 (Certificate of Substantial Completion) requires the punch list to be attached to the signed certificate. On non-AIA residential contracts the requirement varies, but lenders and title companies routinely request the completed punch list before releasing final funds.

Punch list vs snag list: what is the difference?

"Punch list" is the US term; "snag list" is the UK, Ireland, and Australia equivalent. Both describe the list of incomplete or deficient items identified at substantial completion. "Deficiency list" is sometimes used in formal contract language, particularly by architects.

Can I use this template on my phone?

Yes. The PDF opens cleanly on any mobile device for on-site reference, and the Google Sheets version works in the mobile Sheets app. For real on-site workflow with photos per item, sub-assignment, and offline sync, download the Punch List app for iOS or Android.

General Contractor Punch List Template (Free PDF + App)

What is a general contractor punch list?

A general contractor punch list is the final checklist of incomplete or deficient items a GC resolves before a project is accepted as substantially complete. It is created during the final walkthrough, by the architect, owner, or GC depending on the contract, and governs the last round of corrections, sub assignments, and sign-offs that stand between a finished job and a closed one.

On AIA contracts the punch list is attached to the Certificate of Substantial Completion (AIA G704) and triggers the release of retainage. On smaller residential jobs it still governs when the owner signs off on the work and when final payment clears. The template on this page is built around the work a GC actually does on site, with 40 items across six phases.

What goes on a GC's punch list

Site & Exterior

Final grading slopes away from foundation. Grade slopes away at minimum 1/4" per foot for the first 10 feet; no ponding within the drip line after rain.
Driveway and walkways free of cracks and trip hazards. Inspect concrete and paver surfaces for cracks, stains, or lippage greater than 1/4" at joints.
Landscaping restored; ruts regraded; sod/seed complete. Construction ruts filled and compacted; sod laid or seed applied with erosion control where specified.
Roofing free of lifted shingles, exposed nails, or unsealed flashing. Walk the roof or inspect from ladder; confirm flashing sealed at all penetrations and no exposed fasteners.
Gutters secured, sloped, and properly terminated. Confirm proper slope toward downspouts; downspouts tied to splash blocks, drains, or extensions per plan.
Siding, brick, or stucco joints cleanly sealed. No gaps at terminations, around windows, or at transitions; caulk neat and tooled to match surrounding surfaces.
Exterior paint or stain complete with no drips or missed areas. Check corners, underside of trim, and drip marks on foundation or siding below.

Structural & Envelope

Windows operate smoothly and lock; weep holes clear. Open and close every window, verify lock engagement, screens secure, weep holes unobstructed.
Exterior doors aligned with weatherstrip seated and deadbolts strike properly. Doors open and close cleanly with no binding; keys turn smoothly in both deadbolt and knob.
Decks, porches, and railings meet code. Guard height per code (42" commercial, 36" residential), balusters ≤4" spacing, posts plumb and anchored.
Foundation vents and crawl access installed, sealed, and screened. Proper ventilation openings per code; access opening insulated and weatherstripped; rodent screens intact.

MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing)

HVAC commissioning complete with filters and programmed thermostats. Startup report signed off, new filters installed, thermostats programmed with homeowner settings.
Supply and return registers secured, balanced, and labeled. Each register properly seated with no drywall gaps; balance report on file if commissioning required.
Outlets tested for wiring, GFCI where required, with cover plates. Every outlet tested for correct hot/neutral/ground; GFCI protection in kitchens, baths, garages, and exteriors per NEC.
Light fixtures installed with correct bulbs; switches labeled. Color temperature and wattage per spec; three-way switches coordinated; labeled disconnects clearly identified.
Electrical panel labeled, dead front installed, bonding verified. Every breaker labeled legibly with permanent marker or printed labels; grounding and bonding per code.
Smoke and CO detectors installed, interconnected, and tested. Detectors on every floor per code; test button confirms alarm at every location.
Plumbing fixtures with no leaks at supply or drain; shutoffs accessible. Run every fixture and check under-sink for leaks; confirm individual shutoffs function and are reachable.
Water pressure ≥ 40 psi; hot water reaches all taps in reasonable time. Test at the furthest fixture from the meter; flush lines until hot water arrives and note delay.
Water heater strapped per seismic code; T&P discharge piped to within 6" of floor. Verify strap installation in seismic zones; T&P line extended to approved termination.

Interior Finishes

Drywall free of visible seams, nail pops, and corner-bead cracks. Sight down walls in raking light; mark any pops or cracks for retexture and paint.
Paint coverage uniform with clean cut lines. No roller marks, holidays, or cut-line wobble; touch-ups blended, not obvious.
Trim and baseboard with tight miters and caulked transitions. All miters sanded flush; caulk at wall-to-trim transitions; nail holes filled and painted.
Flooring free of gaps, squeaks, and scratches; transitions flush. Walk every room in socks to feel for squeaks; check transitions between materials for trip hazards.
Tile grout uniform and sealed; lippage ≤ 1/16"; silicone at wet edges. Check all floor-to-wall and counter-to-backsplash joints; sealed grout with uniform color.
Caulk at tubs, showers, counters, and backsplashes. Full bead with no voids; clean tooling; color-matched to surrounding material.

Fixtures, Cabinets, Appliances & Hardware

Cabinets aligned with equal reveals; soft-close engaged. Doors and drawers aligned in both directions; soft-close dampers catch; hinges adjusted; no scratches.
Countertops with tight level seams; polished edges; sealed sinks. Sight down the seam for any lip at joints; undermount sinks sealed with silicone bead.
Appliances leveled, installed, tested through one cycle. Run dishwasher, washer, range, and refrigerator ice maker; verify water, drain, and power connections.
Door hardware with hinges tight and strike plates seated. Passage, privacy, and entry hardware functional; strike plates flush; locks keyed alike per spec.
Bathroom accessories installed and anchored. Towel bars, TP holders, and shower rods anchored to blocking or wall anchors; no loose mounts.

Documentation & Closeout

All punch items photo-documented with location and date. Photo record of every item marked complete, filed by room or area for warranty reference.
As-built drawings delivered; redlines reconciled. Any field changes marked on red-line set and handed to owner or architect per contract.
Warranties, manuals, and O&M documents compiled. Closeout binder or PDF set includes appliance warranties, equipment O&M, and subcontractor contact info.
Final lien waivers collected from each subcontractor. Conditional and unconditional waivers on file for every paid sub before requesting final retainage.
Certificate of Substantial Completion (AIA G704) signed. G704 executed with punch list attached; warranty clock starts from the date signed.
Keys, remotes, garage codes, and accounts transferred. All physical and digital access handed over; HOA and utility accounts switched to owner.
Site cleaned; dumpsters, plastic, and surplus materials removed. Site returned to clean condition; any surplus material bin removed or staged for warranty callbacks.
Final cleaning complete. "Broom-clean" per contract at minimum: vacuumed floors, wiped counters, clean windows inside and out.
Final inspection or Certificate of Occupancy on file. Passing final from the AHJ; CO delivered to owner; any conditional approvals resolved.

When to create the punch list

Start the formal punch list at substantial completion: the point where the project is ready for its intended use, even if minor items remain. That is the moment AIA G704 references, and it is almost certainly the moment your contract ties to retainage release and warranty start.

In practice, most GCs run an internal "pre-walk" a week or two before the formal walkthrough. That catches the obvious items (touch-up paint, caulk gaps, a missed outlet cover) so the owner or architect walk is about judgement calls, not missed work. A clean pre-walk shortens the cycle.

A few tactical notes from experience:

Walk the site in the same order each time. A GC who has done ten punch walks already has a mental map. Follow it.
Photograph every deficient item on the spot. A photo with a location tag resolves most disputes before they start.
Do not accept handshake corrections from subs. If it is not on a tracked list with an assignee and a due date, it will not happen.

Who is responsible for each item

Roles on a typical residential or light-commercial job:

The GC owns the list. You are the single point of accountability for tracking, assigning, and closing every item, even items your subs caused.
Subcontractors own their trade items. Electrical deficiencies go to the electrician, plumbing to the plumber. If an item spans trades (for example, a scratched cabinet caused during appliance installation), negotiate it before the final walk.
The architect owns judgement calls on AIA contracts. Appearance, spec compliance, and whether a substitution is acceptable are architect decisions.
The owner owns acceptance. They sign off on the final list and release retainage.

Clear assignment up front prevents the most common closeout friction: unclear ownership. Every item on your punch list should have exactly one name next to it.

Punch list vs snag list vs deficiency list

The same document has different names depending on where you work:

Punch list. US, dominant. Also written as "punchlist" in informal usage. The name likely comes from the old practice of punching holes in a physical list as items were closed.
Snag list. UK, Ireland, Australia. Functionally identical to a punch list. Used across Commonwealth construction.
Deficiency list. Formal contract language, particularly architect-facing. Often appears in specification documents and AIA paperwork alongside "punch list".

Whichever term your market uses, the workflow is the same: walk the site, list the incomplete or out-of-spec items, assign each to the responsible party, close them out, and sign off.

Frequently asked questions

What should be on a GC punch list?: A GC punch list covers every incomplete or deficient item before substantial completion. Typical sections include site and exterior, structural and envelope, MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing), interior finishes, fixtures and hardware, and closeout documentation. The 40-item template on this page is a practical starting point for residential and light-commercial projects.
Who creates the punch list?: The architect (on contracted projects) or the owner creates the initial punch list during the substantial-completion walkthrough. The GC then assigns items to subcontractors, tracks completion, and returns for a back-check walk. On smaller residential jobs without an architect, the GC and owner create it together.
How is a punch list tied to final payment and retainage?: Most contracts tie retainage (typically 5 to 10% of each progress draw) to punch list completion. Once every punch item is signed off, the GC can request release of retainage. Keeping the list tight and closing items quickly protects cash flow. This is one reason a mobile punch list with photos per item closes out faster than a paper list.
Is a punch list required for substantial completion?: Yes, on AIA contracts. AIA G704 (Certificate of Substantial Completion) requires the punch list to be attached to the signed certificate. On non-AIA residential contracts the requirement varies, but lenders and title companies routinely request the completed punch list before releasing final funds.
Punch list vs snag list: what is the difference?: "Punch list" is the US term; "snag list" is the UK, Ireland, and Australia equivalent. Both describe the list of incomplete or deficient items identified at substantial completion. "Deficiency list" is sometimes used in formal contract language, particularly by architects.
Can I use this template on my phone?: Yes. The PDF opens cleanly on any mobile device for on-site reference, and the Google Sheets version works in the mobile Sheets app. For real on-site workflow with photos per item, sub-assignment, and offline sync, download the Punch List app for iOS or Android.