Free construction template
Punch List Template
A punch list is the list of work still to finish or correct before a construction project is complete, usually written on a walk-through near substantial completion. On this page: a free Excel punch list that counts days open and overdue items by trade, a worked example, the walk step by step, and our view on punching as you go.
What is in the workbook
- Punch list: location, responsible trade, what is wrong, sheet or spec reference, priority, who found it, date found, due date and status
- Days open and an overdue flag on every row, counted to the as-of date you set
- Summary: open, overdue and closed items for the job and for each of 23 trades
- Eight sample items from an office build-out that you overwrite
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What goes on a punch list
Write each item so the trade can find it and fix it without another walk. That takes five things on every row: where it is, what is wrong, who owns it, the sheet or specification section that sets the standard, and the date it is due.
| Column | Why it is there |
|---|---|
| Location | Floor and room, so the crew walks straight to it |
| Responsible trade | One owner per item. Shared items get split into two rows |
| Sheet or spec | The standard the fix is checked against, such as A-201 or 08 71 00 |
| Status | Open, done and ready to back-check, closed, or disputed |
| Days open | Counts to the date closed, or to the as-of date while the item is open |
Who makes the punch list
The general contractor writes the first list. AIA A201-2017 puts that duty on the contractor in section 9.8.2: once it considers the work substantially complete, it lists every item still to be completed or corrected and sends the list to the architect. Under section 9.8.3 the architect then inspects, can add items, and only then certifies substantial completion.
Other contract forms set their own steps, so follow yours. The punch list glossary entry covers the terms, including the other names it goes by.
A worked punch list example
In this illustrative sample, one walk of a Level 2 office build-out on October 12, 2026 produced eight items, read again on October 30. Three were closed in 5 to 9 days. Three were past their due date and not closed: a door closer, a dripping faucet and a lifting carpet seam that is in dispute.
| Status on October 30 | Items |
|---|---|
| Closed | 3 |
| Done, ready to back-check | 2 |
| Open | 2 |
| Disputed | 1 |
| Total | 8 |
Three items are past their due date and not closed. Three of eight closed is 37.5 percent. The same sample is in the workbook.
How to run the punch list walk
- Have each trade walk its own work first and fix what it finds. A short official list starts with a pre-punch.
- Walk room by room with the architect and the owner's representative, and number items as you go.
- Send each trade its rows with a due date the same day.
- Back-check every item marked done before you close it. A trade's word is not a closed item.
- Settle disputed items before the final walk, with a backcharge if the contract allows one.
Punch list, substantial completion and final payment
The punch list sits between two milestones. At substantial completion the owner can use the work for its intended purpose, and the open items are listed with the certificate. Final completion and final payment come once the list is closed, and retainage is often held until then, in typical practice.
To bill the work along the way, use the free pay application template.
Our view: punch as you go
In our view, the best punch list is a short one. Punch each floor or area as it finishes, while the trade that did the work is still on site, and the final walk becomes a check instead of a hunt.
Punch list template FAQs
What is a punch list in construction?+
It is the record of items a job still owes before handover: damaged finishes, missing parts, equipment to adjust and work that does not match the drawings. The walk that produces it happens close to the end of the job.
Who is responsible for creating the punch list?+
The general contractor, on AIA contracts and most others. The architect checks the list on site and can add to it before signing off substantial completion.
When is a punch list created?+
Near the end of the job, when the work is close to substantial completion. Many general contractors also run room-by-room punch walks earlier, as areas finish, so the final list stays short.
Is a punch list the same as a snag list?+
Yes. British and Irish contractors say snag list, and Canadian ones often say deficiency list, for the same set of open items.
How long do contractors have to finish punch list items?+
As long as the contract or the certificate of substantial completion allows. The certificate usually states the time for completing the listed items, so set due dates inside it.
Is the punch list template free?+
Yes. The workbook unlocks when you enter a work email, and there is no limit on how many jobs you run through it.
This template is a working list, not legal advice or a certificate. Your contract decides how completion is certified and how long items can stay open.