Driveway Punch List Template: Final Inspection Form

Why Every Driveway Project Needs a Punch List Template

A driveway punch list template is the single most effective way to protect your investment before the contractor’s truck pulls away. Think of it as a final report card: you walk the surface, note every flaw, and refuse final payment until each item is corrected. Without it, hairline cracks turn into trip hazards, low spots collect water, and sealant peels within months.

Below you’ll find a copy-and-paste Driveway Punch List Template plus step-by-step instructions that any homeowner can use—no construction background required.

What Exactly Is a Driveway Punch List?

A punch list is a written checklist of unfinished or defective work that must be fixed before a project is considered complete. On driveways it covers everything from surface texture to drainage slope. It becomes a legally binding addendum to your contract once both parties sign.

Before You Inspect: 5-Minute Prep

1. Schedule the walk-through at high noon. Overhead sun highlights low spots and color variations.
2. Bring the right tools: 4-ft level, 25-ft tape measure, spray paint, phone camera, clipboard, and the original contract.
3. Read your contract again. Note promised thickness, sealer type, and warranty language.
4. Tell the contractor 24 h in advance so their crew chief can attend.

Printable Driveway Punch List Template

Copy everything inside the gray box into a Word doc, add your project details, and take it outside.

Driveway Punch List – Final Inspection Form

Project Address: ___________________ Date: _________ Weather: _________

Contractor: ___________________ Homeowner: ___________________

A. Surface Quality

• ☐ No cracks > ⅛ in. within 10 ft of garage or apron
• ☐ No spalling (surface flaking) wider than a credit card
• ☐ Texture matches sample board; no blotchy sealer

B. Drainage & Slope

• ☐ Water runs toward street or drain; no puddles > 24 h
• ☐ Slope ≥ 1% (⅛ in. per ft) but ≤ 5% for ADA safety

C. Edges & Borders

• ☐ Edges are full thickness (compare to contract spec)
• ☐ No crumbles or honeycomb visible on sides
• ☐ Expansion joint at garage foundation present & straight

D. Joints & Sealant

• ☐ Control joints cut ¼ slab depth, spaced ≤ 10 ft
• ☐ Sealant bead even, not smeared on surface

E. Clean-Up & Safety

• ☐ No concrete splatter on siding, walks, or vehicles
• ☐ Excess soil removed, area swept, reseeded if disturbed
• ☐ caution tape/barriers remain for 48 h minimum

F. Documentation

• ☐ Final invoice matches quote minus holdback
• ☐ Warranty document provided (keep digital copy)
• ☐ Photos of every flagged item attached

Holdback Amount Agreed: $ _______ Deadline to Correct: ___ / ___ / ___

Contractor Signature: ___________________ Date: _________

Homeowner Signature: ___________________ Date: _________

How to Use the Template Like a Pro

Step 1: Walk the Perimeter First

Start at the street and work toward the garage. Look for chips along the edge; they’re easiest to spot with the sun at your back.

Step 2: Spray & Snap

Circle every defect with bright spray paint and take a close-up plus a wide shot that shows the defect’s location.

Step 3: Measure Don’t Guess

Use a 4-ft level and tape measure to quantify puddles or cracks. Write the exact width/depth—contractors respond faster to numbers than adjectives.

Step 4: Agree on Fixes & Dates

Write the correction next to each unchecked box (e.g., “Fill crack with backer rod & sealant by 6/30”). Both parties sign; you keep the original.

Common Punch-List Mistakes Homeowners Make

• Skipping the holdback: Keep 10% of the total until every item passes re-inspection.
• Using the wrong checklist: A generic home punch list misses driveway-specific items like slump test results or sealer coverage rate.
• Inspecting too early: Concrete continues to hydrate; surface cracks can appear 24–48 h later. Schedule the final walk-through only after the sealer is fully cured (usually day 7).

Asphalt vs. Concrete: Checklist Tweaks

Asphalt Add-Ons

• ☐ Edge raked & compacted at 45° angle for stability
• ☐ No roller marks deeper than ⅛ in.
• ☐ Surface temp < 160 °F before rolling (contractor log)

Concrete Add-Ons

• ☐ Air content 5–7% for freeze zones (request test record)
• ☐ No trowel-burn marks (dark, glossy streaks)
• ☐ Broom finish has uniform texture; not too smooth for traction

Free Digital Tools That Speed Things Up

Prefer your phone over paper? Download a free app like BuilderTrend Punch List or PlanGrid. Import the template above as a PDF, pin photos to each line item, and email the signed report before the crew leaves.

What If the Contractor Balks?

Remind them that most state laws allow you to withhold payment equal to the reasonable cost of correcting defects. Get a second quote from another driveway company, attach it to the punch list, and escrow the difference. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred the original contractor returns to finish rather than lose profit.

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