How do I create a punch list for my contractor?

A punch list is your final quality control tool before making that last payment to your contractor in Ottawa - it documents any incomplete or defective work that needs fixing before project completion.

Creating an effective punch list protects you under Ontario's Construction Lien Act, which gives you the right to hold back 10% of contract value for 60 days after substantial completion. Here's exactly how to do it right:

Walk Through With Your Contractor Present

Schedule a formal walkthrough with your contractor when they claim the work is "substantially complete." Don't do this alone - having them present means they can't later claim they weren't aware of issues. Bring a clipboard, camera, and good lighting (flashlight for dark areas).

Document Everything Systematically

Go room by room, inside to outside, top to bottom. Take photos of each deficiency and write detailed descriptions: "Kitchen: Gap between countertop and backsplash tile, approximately 1/4 inch, along 3-foot section near sink" rather than just "gap in kitchen." Include the date, location, and specific issue.

Focus on Contract Compliance

Your punch list should reflect work that doesn't match your signed contract, approved drawings, or Ontario Building Code requirements. This isn't about personal preferences you didn't specify upfront - it's about getting what you paid for. If your contract specified "smooth finish drywall" but you got textured, that goes on the list.

Common Ottawa Punch List Items

Watch for incomplete trim work (very common in Ottawa's older homes where nothing is square), paint touch-ups needed, caulking gaps around windows and doors, electrical plates not flush with walls, and exterior work that needs weatherproofing before winter. In Ottawa's climate, any exterior gaps or incomplete weatherization should be priority items.

Set Realistic Deadlines

Give your contractor reasonable timeframes based on the work required. Simple items like caulking or paint touch-ups: 1-2 weeks. Items requiring special orders or subcontractors: 3-4 weeks. Remember, in Ottawa's construction season (roughly April to October), contractors are busiest and materials may take longer.

Keep That 10% Holdback

Under Ontario's Construction Lien Act, you can legally hold back 10% of the total contract value for 60 days after substantial completion. Don't release this money until every punch list item is completed to your satisfaction. This holdback is your leverage - once you pay it, getting the contractor back becomes much harder.

Get Everything in Writing

Have your contractor sign and date the punch list, acknowledging the items that need completion. Set specific deadlines for each item. This written agreement protects both parties and prevents disputes about what was actually identified.

Know Your Rights

If your contractor abandons punch list items, you can hire another contractor to complete the work and deduct costs from the holdback. Keep all receipts and documentation. For disputes, contact Ontario's consumer protection services or consider small claims court for amounts under $35,000.

The punch list is your final checkpoint before project completion - use it wisely to ensure you get exactly what you contracted for.