What matters most on a deck punch list?

The 3 connections matter most on a deck punch list: ledger to house, posts to footings, rails to posts. The connections keep people safe; everything else is appearance.

Should the client be on the final walkthrough?

The client should be on the final deck walkthrough. Walk the deck with the client, show the client how to care for the material, and add any last items to the punch list in JobsiteHQ before the final invoice.

How soon can a new deck be stained?

When a new deck can be stained depends on the wood. Some pressure-treated lumber has to dry out first; water that soaks in within about 10 minutes says the wood can take stain. Follow the stain maker's instructions.

Does a new deck need an inspection?

A new deck often needs an inspection where a permit was required. Deck rules vary by place, so check with the local building department. Keep the inspection result with the job in JobsiteHQ.

What should the client get at handover?

The client should get 3 things at deck handover: care instructions for the decking and finish, any warranty papers, and the leftover boards and stain, labeled.

How do you write deck items so the crew can find them?

By the side of the deck and the board or post: 'stairs, 3rd tread' or 'rail post by the gate'. A photo with each item helps.

Deck building punch list

A deck punch list is the list of safety and finish items to check before a new deck is handed over. A deck punch list mixes finish work with safety. Check the structure and the connections first: the ledger, the posts and the rails. Then check the boards, the stairs and the finish. The JobsiteHQ deck building punch list below has 15 checks in 5 areas, ready to print.

Make this list by talking

Structure

Ledger flashed and fastened to the house as specified.
Joist hangers fully fastened with the right fasteners.
Posts plumb and secured to the footings; bracing where specified.

Railings and stairs

Rails solid with no give when pushed; balusters evenly spaced.
Stair treads level and secure, risers consistent.
Graspable handrail on the stairs where required.
Landing solid and level.

Decking

Fasteners even with no raised screws or nails.
Consistent gaps for drainage; ends cut straight.
No splits at the board ends.

Finish and details

Stain or sealer even, including the board ends.
Fascia and skirting installed; no framing showing where it should be covered.
Lights working, if installed.

Site

Offcuts, fasteners and sawdust cleaned out of the yard and beds.
Lawn and plantings repaired where equipment went.

How do you use this checklist?

Print the 15-check deck building punch list from JobsiteHQ, or keep the page open on your phone, and walk the job in the order of the sections. Tick each line once you've checked the work. Anything that needs work goes on your own list, with the room and what's wrong. Hand your list to the trade who fixes the items, then walk the fixed items again.

How do you run the final walkthrough?

Check the structure and connections first, then the boards, stairs and finish. The 5 areas of the JobsiteHQ checklist above follow the same route.

Shake every rail post. A rail that moves at the final walkthrough will move a lot more in a few years.
Look under the deck as well as on top. Hangers, flashing and footings - 3 things you can only see from below - are what an inspector cares about.
Walk the deck barefoot or in socks if the client will. Raised fastener heads and splinters show up underfoot first.
Pour a 5-gallon bucket of water on the deck near the house and watch where the water goes. The water should run away from the ledger, not toward the house.

What gets missed on a deck build?

On a deck build, the misses are mostly the spots nobody looks at on the way out. The 7 items below are the ones that come back as a call after the final invoice.

Connections to the house: Some places require lateral load connectors tying the deck to the house framing, as shown in the IRC. Check the plans and the inspection notes.
The bottom of the stairs: Stair stringers need a solid, level pad. Check the stringers aren't sitting on soil that will settle.
Gates: A deck gate should latch every time and swing the way the plans show. Check both.
Composite fasteners: Some composite deck boards need a specific fastener. Check the fastener heads sit flush without mushrooming the surface.
Water at the ledger: Water should drain away from the house. Check nothing pools along the ledger or under the deck.
Outdoor covers: Deck outlets and lights need outdoor-rated covers. Check every cover closes.
Post bases: Post bases and the bottom of posts trap water. Check the posts sit on standoff bases, about 1 inch off the concrete.

How do you close out the punch list?

Closing out a deck building punch list means finishing every open item, showing the client the finished work, and handing over what the client needs to look after the work. The 3 steps below come before the final invoice.

Give the client care instructions for the decking and the finish.
Leave spare boards, rail parts and touch-up stain labeled.
Keep the final inspection result with the job.

Skip the clipboard

Walk the deck build with JobsiteHQ open and say what you see, room by room. JobsiteHQ writes the punch list, sorted by area, for you to check over, then turns the list into a client summary, an estimate and an invoice. JobsiteHQ works with no signal.

Try it free for 14 days

A punch list written by JobsiteHQ from a recorded walkthrough

Questions

What matters most on a deck punch list?: The 3 connections matter most on a deck punch list: ledger to house, posts to footings, rails to posts. The connections keep people safe; everything else is appearance.
Should the client be on the final walkthrough?: The client should be on the final deck walkthrough. Walk the deck with the client, show the client how to care for the material, and add any last items to the punch list in JobsiteHQ before the final invoice.
How soon can a new deck be stained?: When a new deck can be stained depends on the wood. Some pressure-treated lumber has to dry out first; water that soaks in within about 10 minutes says the wood can take stain. Follow the stain maker's instructions.
Does a new deck need an inspection?: A new deck often needs an inspection where a permit was required. Deck rules vary by place, so check with the local building department. Keep the inspection result with the job in JobsiteHQ.
What should the client get at handover?: The client should get 3 things at deck handover: care instructions for the decking and finish, any warranty papers, and the leftover boards and stain, labeled.
How do you write deck items so the crew can find them?: By the side of the deck and the board or post: 'stairs, 3rd tread' or 'rail post by the gate'. A photo with each item helps.