PunchleeHow to write punch list items subs actually fix
Most punch list items that come back were not fixed badly. They were written badly. Here is a formula that fixes that.
The formula
Location + what is wrong + what done looks like + who + when + photo.
Every item should let the person reading it walk straight to the spot, understand the problem, know what finished means, and know it is theirs. If they have to call you, the item is not written yet.
Bad vs good
| Bad | Good |
|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | Kitchen, pantry cabinet left door rubs the frame at the top. Adjust hinge so the gap is even. Bob (cabinets), Friday. |
| Paint touch ups | Hallway, 3 roller marks on the wall across from bath 2 (photo). Repaint the full wall section corner to corner. Marco (paint), Thursday. |
| Bathroom leak | Bath 2, water on the floor outside the shower after 5 minutes running. Adjust or replace the door sweep, retest. Glass installer, Wednesday. |
| Outlet | Kitchen island, left side outlet has no cover plate and sits 1/4 inch deep. Add a box extender and cover plate. Electrician, Friday. |
| Fix floor | Living room by the window, 2 scratched boards (photo, taped). Replace the 2 boards, match finish. Flooring crew, next Monday. |
Seven rules
- One problem per item. "Paint and outlet" is two items and two trades.
- Say where, the way the trade would say it. "Bath 2, vanity, left drawer" beats "upstairs bathroom".
- Describe the problem, not your feelings about it. "Gap is 1/4 inch at the top" beats "looks bad".
- Say what done looks like. If done means "whole wall repainted", say so, or you will get a patch.
- One name, not a company or "TBD".
- A date they agreed to.
- A photo with the problem marked. Circle it or put an arrow on it. One photo removes most follow-up calls.
If your crew speaks different languages
A clear item in the wrong language is still unclear. Keep sentences short and concrete, avoid slang, and let the photo do most of the work. Punchlee shows each person the item in their own language automatically, so the super can write in English and the tile setter reads it in Spanish or Polish.
Closing an item
Ask for an after photo from the same angle as the before photo. Compare the two, approve it or send it back with one sentence saying what is still wrong. Do not close items from a phone call.
Start with the free punch list template or see a full example in the kitchen remodel checklist.
Do it on your phone instead
Punchlee turns every item into a photo your crew can act on. Photo it, circle it, pick who fixes it. They mark it done with their own photo and you approve it from anywhere. Your crew gets the app free, and everyone reads the list in their own language.