If you’re new to homeownership, are buying your first newly built home, or it’s been a while since you bought a new home, you can rely on your builder’s staff to prepare you for every step from contract to construction to closing. While some terms you’ll hear may be unfamiliar, you’ve probably heard of a “punch list.”
What is a Punch List?
A punch list is a “to do” list that outlines all the final tasks or repairs needed to complete the construction project, typically before the owner takes possession. Think about it as a checklist that serves to resolve any remaining issues and helps ensure that your new construction house meets the expected quality and specifications.
What the Pros Say About Punch Lists
Chris Watson, a customer care manager with Tri Pointe Homes in Austin: “When you’re building a house, there are actually about half a dozen punch lists throughout the building process. The homebuyers won’t necessarily be involved with every punch list, but they’ll definitely participate in making the final punch list before their closing.”
When John Gilbert, a community sales manager at Brandywine Homes at Carson Landing in Carson, Calif., goes over the entire homebuilding process with buyers, he mentions that they should anticipate doing a walk-through of their newly built home with the customer service team about a week before their closing to generate a punch list.
“Approximately 30 days before the closing, buyers will receive detailed information about their walk-through, including instructions about how to make the most of the house tour,” Gilbert says. “The buyers and the customer service team will make a punch list together of items to fix.”
Creating the Initial Punch List
One of the most important punch lists will be made during the framing stage of construction.
Buyers can accompany the builder on an ‘open walls’ walk-through at this point in construction, too. The purpose of this walk-through is to make sure all the mechanical systems and the framing are done accurately before the insulation and drywall are installed and the walls are closed up.
Buyers can check to make sure the lights and electrical outlets are placed where they want them, along with items such as a faucet in the laundry room and the placement of the bathroom plumbing. For example, if a light is missing or it needs to be centered over the kitchen island, the builder will make a note of it and bring back the subcontractors to make changes.
Buyers don’t necessarily need to attend other walk-throughs that generate additional punch lists, such as to check the wall texture and paint after the sheetrock is installed or to check that the wood and tile floors are properly installed.
At every major stage of construction, the builder and the superintendent of that part of the construction process, such as the flooring company superintendent, will look for any discrepancies in the quality or in the components. For example, they’ll check that the grout is properly applied. It’s much easier to fix things like that before each new construction phase begins.
Common Punch List Items
For buyers, the most important walk-through takes place about one or two weeks before their closing, when 99% of the house is complete.
The Exterior of Home
Expect to start on the outside of the house and inspect the exterior of the house. Builders will identify anything that needs to be addressed such as cracked siding or stucco or any splashes of mortar that need to be removed.
Items to Inspect:
- Masonry
- Roof
- Rain Gutters
- Irrigation system
- Landscaping
- HVAC
The Interior of Home
Then you’ll move inside the home. Buyers will be joined by the builder’s customer service team making it a great time to ask questions about everything in the house.
It’s often hard for the buyers to concentrate on the little items because they’re usually excited and thinking about where they’ll place their furniture when they move in. Here’s a list of items buyers should ensure meet their expectations.
Items to Inspect:
- Appliances
- Doors and windows
- Damaged floors
- Cabinet drawers
- Plumbing fixtures
- Lighting fixtures & covers
- Hardware
- Paint or texture touch-ups
- Noticeable drywall cracks
- Exposed wires
Builder Tip: It is recommended that buyers stand about six feet away from anything they’re inspecting so they can see if the paint has any flaws or if cabinet doors need realignment.
Resolving Punch List Items
Typically, builders and buyers find numerous small items that need to be touched up or fixed during this walk-through. The builder’s representative will generate a list and often will mark the spot with blue painter’s tape to make it easier to find.
It’s smart to keep your own punch list and take photos of any items that need to be addressed. This will help ensure that the punch list is completed and the job gets done correctly.
While there are exceptions and occasionally the builder’s customer service team or homebuyers find a bigger flaw in a house, generally, punch list items are minor. Some of the most common items are nicks in the wall texture, a scuffed wall that needs to be repainted, or an area where the paint is too thin.
Builder Tip: One of the most important items to check is the flooring because it’s much easier to fix that before the homeowners move into the house.
What to Expect from Your Punch List Process
Builders attempt to make every repair and touch-up before the closing for two reasons.
- It’s easier for both builders and homeowners to complete the punch list before they move into their new house.
- Builders want to deliver a clean and finished product to our customers.
Before the pandemic disruptions to the supply chain, materials shortages, and labor shortages, most punch list items would be fixed before the closing of the house. Of course, there are always exceptions.
While the goal may be to have all the punch list items completed by closing, it’s not a guarantee. There may be labor shortages or necessary materials may not be available, so it’s possible it can take a little longer.
Another common issue that can delay a punch item repair is the need to order an item. For example, some builders’ cabinets are custom-made, so it can take two weeks or longer if a replacement cabinet door is required.
Builder Tip: As a buyer, it’s important to keep track of any items that need to be addressed from your own list and follow up with your builder on a regular basis. For the most part, buyers should expect it to take no longer than one or two weeks after closing to make these repairs.
What Happens After Your Punch List is Complete?
All work and supplies related to punch list repairs are paid for by the builder as part of the homebuilding process and are covered by warranties. The industry standard for warranties is a one-year warranty on all “fit and finish” items including materials and installation.
Keep in mind, the warranty will only cover anything that can be considered a construction defect. It will not cover something the homeowners damaged themselves after living in the house for several months.
In addition, builders provide a two-year warranty on “delivery systems,” which refers to the heating and air conditioning, and plumbing and electrical systems, plus a 10-year structural warranty on the framing and foundation.
It’s not uncommon for builders to reach out to buyers after they have been in the house for 30 days to ensure they have as many lines of contact as possible for any future issues.
It’s not that unusual for homeowners to discover a minor flaw months after they’ve moved in. In this scenario, it’s important that the homeowners know how to reach out to their customer care representative to resolve the issue.
Developing a relationship with your builder and the company representatives is a good way to make sure you can get swift attention and answers to any questions you may have in your new home.
Michele Lerner is an award-winning freelance writer, editor and author who has been writing about real estate, personal finance and business topics for more than two decades.
Samantha
I closed last year on a new build condo with some items on punch list still not completed such as, putting fans in 2 bedrooms, and swapping out a bathroom sink where the builder ordered the wrong one, the right one is still in my garage! I’ve tried numerous times to contact him with no response. I even submitted a BBB complaint and he didn’t respond to them. Now the year mark is coming up and I don’t want to pay for a lawyer. Any other ideas?
Jamie Gonzalez
Hi Samantha,
You might not get a response, since you’ve already closed. You could potentially get legal advice from an attorney, although the costs may outweigh the benefits. You could also continue to try to contact the builder, or perhaps a builder representative to get you through. Or, as our article states, you may have to make do with your home as-is or add your changes on your own.
Tracey Hurd
We closed on July3rd, things are not as promised. The shower is not finished, at first realtor thought it was new shower with one door, its not. The inspection clearly states have professional finish installation of shower door. Next is no door to our crawl space, none its weirdest thing, then there’s water at edge of deck, saturated & hasn’t changed since we moved in. Seems there’s a leak somewhere, not sure where to turn! Do we contact realtor at first.