Handyman work final punch list

Completed work should match the written task list, location, quantity, material, finish, and authorized changes.

Walk room by room with the estimate. Mark each task complete, incomplete, changed, or excluded. Compare installed products and quantities with receipts or packaging.

- Small tasks omitted because they were discussed verbally

- Lower-grade product substituted

- Extra work billed without approval

- Repair performed in a different location than requested

A handyman scope should not bypass local permit, licensing, inspection, or qualified-trade requirements for electrical, plumbing, gas, HVAC, roofing, structural, lead, asbestos, or other regulated work.

Identify tasks that altered wiring, piping, gas, structure, waterproofing, roof covering, or life-safety systems. Confirm who performed the work and whether permits or inspections were required.

- Electrical or plumbing alteration hidden as a minor repair

- Structural member cut without approved detail

- Pre-1978 paint disturbed without checking lead rules

- Required permit or inspection omitted

Anchors, fasteners, supports, blocking, adhesives, and connections should suit the load, substrate, environment, and product instructions.

Operate and gently load-test items using the manufacturer-approved method. Inspect shelves, rails, doors, locks, hardware, televisions, mirrors, cabinets, accessories, and repaired components.

- Anchor spins or pulls from drywall

- Door or drawer binds after adjustment

- Heavy item mounted without suitable support

- Fastener penetrates concealed utility route

Repairs and installations should not leave avoidable chips, scratches, stains, exposed holes, mismatched touch-up, loose trim, sharp edges, or damage to adjacent finishes.

Inspect each task in normal light and from normal viewing distance. Check floors, walls, cabinets, glass, furniture, counters, and landscaping for work-related damage.

- Unpatched exploratory holes

- Mismatched caulk or paint touch-up

- Scratches from ladders or tools

- Debris or fasteners left in occupied areas

The owner should receive enough documentation to operate, maintain, and verify the completed work, with unresolved punch-list items separated from final acceptance.

Test every task, save before-and-after photos, manuals, spare parts, keys, codes, receipts, model numbers, warranties, and permit records. Write a dated correction list before final payment.

- Payment requested before functional testing

- No keys, codes, or manuals delivered

- Warranty terms only verbal

- Punch-list promise not documented