

These deadlines need to be met in order to secure lien rights. Every state has mechanics lien laws that set filing deadlines. However, we have one key takeaway here: Retainage does not extend your mechanic’s lien deadlines! Balancing Punch List Items & Lien RightsĪnother possible challenge contractors may encounter is the effect on lien rights. Once “punched,” the list is then typically attached to the Certificate of Substantial Completion. In most contracts these days, final payment is released when the punch list items have been completed to meet the contract specifications. When the contractor believes that he has reached substantial completion, they can request a “pre-final” inspection of the project. With any luck, the punch work needed will be trivial and the final payment won’t be too far off. An owner will typically be holding onto retainage payments until the punch list items are complete, which puts the fate of the contractor and subs in the owner’s hands.Īfter all, retainage often exceeds the profit margin on the job. The reason everyone on a project should be involved or concerned about the punch list is that it’s tied to final payment. The best practice here is to start organizing these documents as soon as possible, rather than waiting until the end of the project. They are the ones who are performing much of the punch work and gathering all the necessary change orders and documentation that the GC must pass on to the owner. Subcontractors typically bear the heaviest load in the punch list process. The GC is then in charge of sending out the punch list to the subcontractors and ensure they complete all the work.
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The architect will then update the punch list and send it back down to the owner and GC. The GC will send their punch list to the architect, who will then conduct their own walkthrough to determine what has been completed to their design specifications and what hasn’t. If the project has one, the architect also plays an important role in reviewing the punch list to approve final payments. For many projects, that’s as far as the punch list goes. Depending on what issues remain, certain subcontractors may be called back to the project to correct outstanding issues. Generally, the GC will do a walkthrough with the owner to identify any incomplete or non-conforming work and create the initial punch list. The GC may assign punch work to the subcontractors responsible for particular areas of work. Typically, it’s the responsibility of the GC to ensure that all these line items are taken care of before a final completion certificate can be issued on the project. Everyone on a construction project has a role to play in the execution of a punch list.
