Are Punch List Items Costing You Time and Money
You’re reviewing the job specifications, conducting an initial pre-job briefing with your employees, and performing the work as outlined. Weeks after the work is complete, you get a call that there’s a problem with the finished product. Has this ever happened to you? Have you ever wondered why? Do you know what to do to preclude recurrence?
Although difficult to eliminate, I will tell you the total number of punch list items can be minimized with a documented inspection process. You probably have some form of inspection process; however if it is not documented, and your workers are not aware of the critical characteristics of the job, you will continue to encounter problems.
What is a Documented Inspection Process? Why do I need one? If you can identify and correct problems before backfilling the foundation, covering exterior walls, installing the roof, or putting up interior walls, floors and ceilings, you will save the extra time and money that would have been wasted on non-reimbursable labor, material and rework.
Start by reviewing your contract, all drawings and specifications. List all steps that have measurable attributes (i.e. color, size, location, finish, etc.). List any that must meet specific criteria (i.e. pressure, volume, rating, etc.). Create a written checklist with attributes and criteria of the actual task to be installed (i.e. HVAC, wiring, plumbing, etc.)
Finally review this new process with your employees so they know what is expected of them. If you do not have a documented inspection process, consider utilizing an audit consultant to assist your team, or perform this for you, so that you can focus on what’s most important to you - your customers.
At Storti Quality Consulting, we take pride in helping our customers use quality management practices to enhance results and increase profits. If you’d like to talk about Quality, please call us at 215.657.0837, send an email to ralph.storti@storticonsulting.net, or visit our website, www.storticonsulting.net.
Although difficult to eliminate, I will tell you the total number of punch list items can be minimized with a documented inspection process. You probably have some form of inspection process; however if it is not documented, and your workers are not aware of the critical characteristics of the job, you will continue to encounter problems.
What is a Documented Inspection Process? Why do I need one? If you can identify and correct problems before backfilling the foundation, covering exterior walls, installing the roof, or putting up interior walls, floors and ceilings, you will save the extra time and money that would have been wasted on non-reimbursable labor, material and rework.
Start by reviewing your contract, all drawings and specifications. List all steps that have measurable attributes (i.e. color, size, location, finish, etc.). List any that must meet specific criteria (i.e. pressure, volume, rating, etc.). Create a written checklist with attributes and criteria of the actual task to be installed (i.e. HVAC, wiring, plumbing, etc.)
Finally review this new process with your employees so they know what is expected of them. If you do not have a documented inspection process, consider utilizing an audit consultant to assist your team, or perform this for you, so that you can focus on what’s most important to you - your customers.
At Storti Quality Consulting, we take pride in helping our customers use quality management practices to enhance results and increase profits. If you’d like to talk about Quality, please call us at 215.657.0837, send an email to ralph.storti@storticonsulting.net, or visit our website, www.storticonsulting.net.
