People often discount how important the end of the project really is. A project may seem like it is running smooth, but I try not to get too excited until the project team has delivered a quality build-out with all the key punchlist items completed by the date everyone expected. Here are some tips to make your next punch list process a knockout.
1. Waiting until the last day in the schedule is too late.
Waiting until the end of the schedule only means that most crews are onto their next job and getting them back will take too long. I try to encourage contractors to start their own internal pre-punchlist to keep their subs on the job until they have fixed what needs to be corrected. This is especially critical for subs whose work scope ends well before the end of the project. I have also seen some general contractors bring in an assistant superintendent towards the later part of a project to begin such an internal list and to focus on getting work completed before the “official” punchlist.
2. A punchlist is not a party.
They fewer the attendees, the quicker and more efficient it will run. I can’t tell you how many of these walks I have attended where too many people show up and they end up distracting the group with their irrelevant conversations. Ideally, just invite the architect, contractor, and owner’s representative.
3. Don’t go crazy with the blue tape.
Often times project teams will plaster what seems like the entire premises in rolls of blue tape to highlight every single flaw and issue. I suggest using the punchlist document as the main tracking tool and placing blue tape only in places where the area of concern may not be easy to find.
4. Have the punchlist published ASAP to all key parties and give them a chance to check it for accuracy.
It needs to be a priority for the tracker of the punchlist (often the architect) to publish their list quickly so the process can move ahead. That said, a contractor who sits on his hands until he gets his list is lazy. The contractor should be taking high-level notes during the punchlist walk and making arrangements to complete deficiencies immediately.