Final closeout is the last hurdle to jump in order to successfully complete a project. But before this milestone can be achieved, owners must ensure the contractor performs the tedious task of completing punch list items. The bad news is that this process can often drag out longer than one might expect. The good news is there are steps you can take to streamline the process.

Every project has a story that begins long before construction and ends further in the future than any of us prefer. Ideally, the project’s story is the same for those in the field as it is for those in the office. If you have ever worked on a long-term construction project, however, you know this is not the case most of the time. We all want our projects to have the same story. If you’re on a project now that may have a different story in the field than the office, you’ll need to bridge the gap between the two. 

As a project owner or manager, you need certain types of information from the contractor to ensure your project is on track. Too often, though, the contractor doesn’t provide the information you need in a timely fashion (if at all). Before you know it, the project can be off schedule and out of budget. How can you avoid getting caught in this situation?

Most construction contract Owners have been faced with a perceived lack of performance by their contractor, and subsequently been faced with the choice of whether to withhold monthly payment. If the owner is a state or federal government entity, prompt payment laws almost certainly apply. Private contracts are generally exempt from such laws, but not always: states like Vermont have prompt payment laws covering all construction contracts. Check your jurisdiction to confirm.