Kitchen remodel punch list checklist

67 things to check before you call a kitchen done, grouped the way you walk it. Written by a contractor, from real jobs.

Kitchens have more trades per square foot than any other room: cabinet installers, countertop fabricators, tile setters, plumbers, electricians, painters and appliance installers, often in that order and often damaging each other's work. This checklist follows the order you would walk it. Print it or use the free punch list template to write down what fails.

Cabinets

• Every door is level and the gaps between doors are even
• Doors close without rubbing the frame or each other
• Soft-close hinges and drawer slides work on every door and drawer
• Drawers open fully and sit flush when closed
• Door bumpers are installed
• No scratches, dents or chips on doors, panels or end panels
• Filler strips and scribe pieces fit tight to the wall
• Crown and light rail are tight, with mitres closed
• Toe kicks are installed and secure
• All handles and knobs installed, straight and tight
• Shelves are in, with shelf pins in every hole used
• Sink base is clean, with no water marks or damage
• Wall cabinets are secured into studs, not just drywall

Countertops

• No chips, cracks or scratches, especially at edges and corners
• Seams are tight, flat and colour matched
• Overhangs are even and supported where needed
• Countertop is level
• Sink is sealed and attached correctly
• Cooktop cutout is clean
• Caulk at the backsplash joint is neat and continuous
• Faucet and soap dispenser holes are where they should be

Backsplash

• Tile is level and lines are straight
• Grout is full, even and clean, with no haze left
• No chipped or cracked tiles
• Cuts around outlets and switches are clean
• Outlet boxes extended so covers sit flush with the tile
• Edges are finished with trim or bullnose
• Caulk, not grout, at the countertop joint

Appliances

• Every appliance is installed and runs
• Fridge doors are level and seal properly
• Dishwasher is secured to the counter or cabinets and does not tip
• Dishwasher drains, with no leaks under the sink after a full cycle
• Range has its anti-tip bracket installed
• Range hood vents outside, with the damper opening
• Microwave and wall oven trims fit tight
• All protective film removed and manuals left for the owner

Plumbing

• Hot is on the left and cold on the right
• No drips at the faucet or under the sink
• Sink drains quickly, disposal works and is wired
• Supply lines and shutoffs are accessible and not leaking
• Escutcheons installed at wall penetrations
• Pot filler, if any, works and is secured

Electrical and lighting

• Every outlet works and GFCI outlets trip and reset
• All cover plates are installed and straight
• Under cabinet lights work and wires are hidden
• Recessed lights are centred and trims sit flush
• Switches control the right lights and are labelled at the panel
• Appliance circuits are on their own breakers

Walls, ceiling and paint

• No drips, roller marks or missed spots
• Touch ups done after cabinets, counters and appliances went in
• Nail holes and seams filled and sanded
• Caulk at cabinets, trim and backsplash edges is painted where needed
• Ceiling has no visible patches

Floors

• No scratches or dents from appliance installs
• Floor runs under or tight to cabinets and toe kicks as planned
• Transitions to other rooms are installed and secure
• Grout sealed if it is tile
• Flooring is clean, with no adhesive or grout residue

Doors, windows and trim

• Doors latch and do not rub
• Door stops installed
• Window and door casing is tight, with nail holes filled
• Baseboard is installed everywhere, including behind the fridge where visible
• Window operates, and screens are in

Final

• Everything is cleaned inside cabinets and drawers
• Leftover tile, paint and hardware labelled and left for the owner
• Warranty papers and appliance manuals handed over
• Owner walked through and signed off

How to hand this out without a mess

Split the list by trade before you send it. The tile setter does not need to read about hinge adjustments, and the cabinet installer should not have to find their six items in a list of sixty. A photo of each item, with the problem circled, saves a return trip because nobody has to guess which drawer you meant.