The Finale

Your project is done--yeah! The work on punch list has been completed and the GC has finished the final clean up. He or she now wants to get paid! With your approval, the final payment is released. But before your payment is made, you should get a signed lien release form from the GC or each subcontractor who worked on your project. You should also ask for any manufacturer's warranties, owner's manuals, receipts, and the occupancy certificate (if required).

If significant items on the punch list have not been completed, you can hold back a portion of the payment to cover those costs and release only the remainder to your GC. But don't add items to the punch list or hold up this payment for tiny details.

Be aware that homes are not static dwellings, wide swings of atmospheric conditions from dryness to humidity can contract and swell the wood installed in your new kitchen. This can also include hairline cracks in your drywall. This is the nature of these building materials and is beyond anyone's control. It is not the responsibility of the GC or the manufacturer. If there are other issues that require you to callback your GC, do it judiciously and recognize that they may be working on another job and may not be able to address them immediately.

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