What is a punch list, and how do you close one out?

The punch list is the last few things standing between a finished job and your final check. Here's how to write one, walk it, and get it signed off.

2 min read

The short answer

A punch list is the list of small things left to fix or finish at the end of a job, made when the customer and the contractor walk the work together. Each item says what's wrong, where, who fixes it and by when. When every item is done and the customer signs off, the job is closed and the final payment is due.

On this page

A punch list template you can copy
Who makes the punch list
How to close out a punch list fast
A punch list isn't a change order
Getting the final payment in

A punch list template you can copy

One line per item, with a room or spot, so anyone on the crew can find it without asking.

Punch list

Job: [Customer name], [job address]
Walked on: [Date], with [customer name] and [your name]
Final payment due: When every item below is done and signed off

Item	Where	Who	Done
[Touch up paint around the new outlet]	[Kitchen, east wall]	[Crew lead]	[date]
[Adjust cabinet door so it closes flush]	[Hall bath]	[Name]	[date]
[Replace cracked switch plate]	[Garage]	[Name]	[date]
[Clean up drywall dust in the closet]	[Primary bedroom]	[Name]	[date]

All items done. Customer sign-off: [signature] [date]

Who makes the punch list

On a small job, you and the customer make it together on a final walk-through. On a bigger job, the general contractor walks it first, then with the owner, and each trade gets its own items. Either way, write it down while you're standing there, so nobody remembers it differently later.

How to close out a punch list fast

The longer a punch list sits, the longer you wait to get paid. A few habits keep it short.

Walk the job yourself first. Catch the easy ones before the customer does.
Keep items small and specific. "Fix trim" becomes "re-nail loose baseboard by the back door".
Put a date on each one. Then say when you'll be back to finish them all.
Get a sign-off. A signature or a text that says it's all done closes the job.

A punch list isn't a change order

A punch list finishes the work that was agreed to. If the customer asks for something new on the walk-through, like a second outlet that was never in the job, that's a change order with its own price and a signature, not a punch list item. Keep them apart, or the punch list never ends.

Adding new work to the punch list for free
"Fix everything" with no items written down
Final payment held for something that was never in the job

Getting the final payment in

Once the last item is done, send the final invoice that day, with the signed punch list attached. The ones that slip are the jobs where the last item took a week and nobody went back to bill it.

By hand5 steps

Check which punch lists are done
Find the sign-off text
Fill in the final invoice
Attach the punch list
Send it to the customer

For every closed job, whenever you get to it.

Set up onceWaiting on you

The Avery job's punch list was signed off this morning. Here's the final invoice with it attached.

Final invoice for Tom Avery, 3 Ridge Rd: remaining balance on the kitchen remodel, punch list of 6 items signed off today. Your amount on the line, then it's ready to send.

Every signed-off job gets its final invoice drafted the same day. You check it and send it.

See the change orders job →

NextChange orders written up before the workSee how the change orders job gets new work priced and signed on the spot.

Questions about punch lists

Something else on your mind? Ask us on the fit call. No pitch, and we'll say if it isn't a fit.

Book a fit call

The list of small items left to fix or finish at the end of a job, made on a final walk-through with the customer. When every item is done and signed off, the job is complete.

The usual story is that inspectors once punched a hole in the paper next to each item as it was finished. Today it just means the end-of-job to-do list.

Near the end, once the main work is finished and the space can be used. Doing it too early makes the list long and full of work that wasn't done yet.

Often, yes, if your contract ties the last payment to completion. Say so in the contract, keep the list specific, and get a sign-off when it's done. For rules in your state, check with your own lawyer.