The Ultimate Guide to Home Inspection & Punch Lists: Protecting Your Investment

A home inspection and punch list are your final quality control checks before a project is considered complete. They are your opportunity to ensure that the work you paid for meets your standards of quality, safety, and completeness.

This guide breaks down the two distinct but related processes.

Part 1: The Home Inspection (The Safety & Systems Check)

A home inspection is a thorough, objective examination of the physical structure and systems of a house, conducted by a licensed or certified professional. It's about finding hidden defects and ensuring everything is functional and safe.

When is it Done?

• For Existing Home Purchases: Standard practice before closing.

• For New Construction: Highly recommended at two stages:

  1. Pre-Drywall Inspection: After framing, plumbing, and electrical rough-in are complete but before insulation and drywall go up. This is your only chance to see what's inside the walls.

  2. Final Inspection: When the builder says the home is complete, just before your final walkthrough.

What the Inspector Checks:

• Structural Components: Foundation, floors, walls, roof structure.

• Exterior: Siding, paint, windows, doors, grading, drainage, decks, and porches.

• Roofing: Shingles, flashing, gutters, and signs of leaks.

• Plumbing: Pipes, fixtures, faucets, water pressure, and water heater.

• Electrical: Service panel, wiring, outlets, light fixtures, and GFCI/AFCI protection.

• HVAC: Furnace, air conditioner, ductwork, and thermostats.

• Interior: Walls, ceilings, floors, stairs, railings, and windows.

• Insulation & Ventilation: Attic and crawl space insulation and ventilation.

Your Role:

• Hire a Qualified Inspector: Look for certifications (like InterNACHI or ASHI) and read reviews.

• Attend the Inspection: Follow the inspector around. This is a masterclass in your home's systems.

• Review the Report: The inspector will provide a detailed report with photos, describing issues and their severity.

  
  

Part 2: The Punch List (The Final Touch-Up List)

A punch list is a document created after the home is substantially complete. It is a list of minor defects, incomplete items, or cosmetic issues that need to be corrected by the contractor before you release the final payment.

Unlike an inspection, a punch list is highly subjective and focused on aesthetics and finish quality.

When is it Done?

During the Final Walkthrough, which is scheduled after the builder/contractor has declared the project complete but before you make your final payment or close on the property.

How to Create a Punch List: A Room-by-Room Method

Be systematic. Bring a notepad, tape (for marking items), and a phone for photos.

General & Exterior:

• Walls/Ceilings: Look for dings, scratches, uneven paint, drips, or poor texture matching.

• Flooring: Check for scratched floorboards, loose tiles, uneven grout, or stains on carpet.

• Trim & Millwork: Ensure all trim is fully nailed and caulked, with no gaps at joints or against walls.

• Doors: Check that they open and close smoothly, latch properly, and don't stick. Ensure knobs and locks work.

• Windows: Open and close all windows. Check for cracked glass, damaged screens, and proper locking.

• Paint: Look for touch-ups needed on trim, walls, and ceilings.

Kitchen:

• Cabinets & Drawers: Check for alignment, smooth operation, and that all doors/drawers close properly. Look for scratches or damage.

• Countertops: Check for seams, chips, or improper sealing at the backsplash.

• Appliances: Verify all are installed, level, and functioning (run the dishwasher, test the stove burners and oven, check the disposal).

• Sink & Faucet: Check for leaks under the sink, proper drainage, and that the faucet functions correctly.

Bathrooms:

• Fixtures: Test all faucets and showers for hot/cold water and pressure. Flush all toilets to ensure they don't run or leak at the base.

• Tile & Grout: Check for cracks, loose tiles, and mildewed or missing grout.

• Ventilation: Turn on the bathroom fan to ensure it works and vents properly.

• Caulking: Inspect caulking around the tub, shower, and sink for gaps or mildew.

Systems & Final Checks:

• Electrical: Test every single switch, outlet, and light fixture. Ensure GFCI outlets trip correctly in kitchens and bathrooms.

• Plumbing: Listen for water hammer, check for leaks under all sinks, and ensure toilets are secure.

• HVAC: Turn the furnace and A/C on and off, and check that air is flowing from all vents.

• Hardware: Ensure all cabinet pulls, towel bars, toilet paper holders, etc., are installed securely and are not loose.

Part 3: The Process Flow: From Inspection to Completion

1. Hire a Home Inspector: For a new build, schedule the pre-drywall and final inspections.

2. Receive Inspection Report: Provide the significant findings (safety, code issues) to your contractor for repair.

3. Schedule Final Walkthrough: Once the contractor says the project is 100% done.

4. Create Your Punch List: Use the room-by-room method. Be meticulous.

5. Formalize the List: Provide the contractor with a written list, ideally with photos. Email is perfect for creating a paper trail.

6. Contractor Completes Punch List: The contractor addresses all items on the list.

7. Re-Inspect: You walk through the property again to verify all punch list items are fixed to your satisfaction.

8. Release Final Payment: Do not release the final payment until you are completely satisfied and the punch list is 100% complete. This is your greatest leverage.

   
   

Pro-Tips for Success

• Don't Be Rushed: A final walkthrough can take 2-3 hours for a new home. Take your time.

• It's a Marble, Not a Bowling Ball: A small, round object like a marble is perfect for checking if floors are level.

• Focus on Cosmetic Issues: The home inspector has covered the major systems. The punch list is for the things they don't cover.

• Be Reasonable, But Thorough: A small paint scuff is a punch list item. A design choice you now regret is not. The punch list is for correcting workmanship, not for change orders.

• Get Everything in Writing: Your punch list and the contractor's agreement to complete it should be in an email.

  
  

The WallPro Commitment to Quality

At WallPro Systems and Construction Inc., we see the punch list not as a criticism, but as the final step in our partnership to deliver a flawless product.

• We encourage a detailed final walkthrough and welcome your punch list.

• We provide a dedicated Punch List Form to make the process easy and organized.

• Our team is committed to addressing every item on your list promptly and professionally.

• We believe the project is only complete when you are 100% satisfied.

A thorough inspection and punch list are your rights as a client. They ensure you get the quality you paid for and the home you dreamed of. Ready to work with a contractor who embraces this process for your peace of mind? Contact WallPro for your next project.

Schedule Your Consultation or Call Us at +639175156755 - Let's Build with Quality and Clarity.

The Ultimate Guide to Home Inspection & Punch Lists: Protecting Your Investment