The "Punch List" is first prepared by which party?

The "Punch List" is primarily a document that identifies items that need to be completed or corrected before final acceptance of the project. The contractor is responsible for preparing the initial Punch List. This typically occurs toward the end of the construction process, when the contractor conducts a thorough review of the project to pinpoint any incomplete work, code violations, deficiencies, or items needing correction as per the contract documents.

By creating the Punch List, the contractor demonstrates an understanding of the project's scope and ensures accountability. This proactive step helps facilitate a smoother transition to project closeout since it allows problems to be addressed before the owner or architect conducts their own inspections.

While other parties, such as the architect or owner, may contribute to the Punch List through their reviews, the contractor's preparation of the initial list is a fundamental aspect of the construction closeout process. This workflow aids in clarifying responsibilities and setting expectations for the completion of the project.