A punch list is one of the final, and most important, steps in the Arizona homebuilding and home-buying journey. When you are purchasing a manufactured home placed on a foundation, understanding how a punch list works ensures your home is completed to state and local standards before closing. For Arizona buyers, the punch-list process plays a particularly important role due to the state’s desert climate, temperature extremes, and building-code requirements that can affect materials and installation quality.
A punch list is a detailed checklist of items needing correction, completion, or fine-tuning before the builder considers the home finished. These issues are typically minor, but they ensure your home meets the standards outlined in your contract, your expectations and complies with Arizona’s state and municipal codes.
Common punch-list items in Arizona include (but not limited to):
- Paint touch-ups caused by heat expansion
- Caulking around windows and doors to ensure proper sealing against dust and heat
- HVAC performance checks (critical in Arizona’s extreme temperatures)
- Stucco or exterior finish smoothing
- Drywall cracks from settling
- Tile or flooring imperfections
- Cabinet alignment
- Door or window operational issues
- Cosmetic adjustments to trim or fixtures
Arizona’s arid climate can amplify imperfections, such as caulking separation or cracking finishes, making this checklist especially valuable.
Punch lists are typically created during the “final walkthrough”, usually about a week before closing. Many Arizona builders also perform a pre-walkthrough inspection to resolve visible issues before the buyer arrives.
There is no specific time for a punch list to be created, but usually it may occur:
- Prior to closing
- Immediately after move-in, for issues still under warranty
- During scheduled builder warranty check-ins (common at 30 days and one year in Arizona)
Because Arizona homes often experience initial settling due to dry soil conditions, early post-move-in punch-list requests are common and generally covered by the builder’s warranty.
In Arizona, licensed builders must adhere to standards set by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC), which defines workmanship and material requirements. Because of this, the builder’s role in the punch-list process is both regulatory and collaborative.
Arizona builders are responsible for:
- Conducting the walkthrough alongside the buyer
- Documenting incomplete, damaged, or improperly installed items
- Assigning licensed subcontractors (HVAC, stucco, roofing, electrical, etc.)
- Ensuring all work meets Arizona building and energy-efficiency standards
- Scheduling and completing repairs promptly, often before closing
- Providing a detailed warranty and service timeline
Many Arizona builders use mobile apps or digital systems to track punch-list progress to ensure transparency and faster resolution. The medium does not really matter, it is the listing of items in your home you have concern about, or need contractor attention to remedy.
The punch-list process in Arizona typically unfolds as follows:
Buyer Walkthrough – You and the builder walk room by room, checking systems, finishes, and the quality of installation (sometimes called “fit & Finish”. In Arizona, special attention is often given to:
- HVAC system performance
- Sealing and insulation
- Exterior stucco
- Windows and doors
- Roof tiles or membranes
Items are recorded with descriptions , and often photos, using a written form or digital platform. Based on the listed items, builders coordinate electricians, painters, drywall crews, stucco contractors, and HVAC techs to complete items.
Once items are remedies, the builder verifies that repairs and finishes meet both the contract and Arizona’s building standards. And once the buyer is satisfied (you inspect it again if prior to closing, or monitor during the process), the punch list is approved by you, and the home can move to closing, or you sign off on the listed items.
If weather conditions prevent outdoor items from being completed before closing, builders typically document these as post-closing commitments.
Punch lists are especially important in Arizona due to:
- Intense heat, which stresses materials and can expose installation flaws
- Seasonal monsoons, which test sealing, drainage, and exterior finishes
- Dry soil conditions, which can lead to early settling cracks
- High dust levels, requiring proper sealing of windows, doors, and vents
- Strict building requirements, enforced by state and local agencies
A well-managed punch list ensures:
- Your home is delivered and set as promised
- Systems, and especially HVAC, function safely and efficiently
- Your investment is protected in a climate that can strain a home’s components
- Warranty items are documented early
Arizona homebuyers can move in with greater peace of mind knowing their new home meets local standards and is built to handle the challenges of desert living.