Insights: Indoor Shooting Range Punch List Process

What’s that cable hanging down? Let’s add that to the punch list!

PUNCH LIST STRATEGY FOR INDOOR SHOOTING RANGE FACILITIES

When the building is turned over to at around the time you receive your certificate of occupancy, the process of compiling your punch list begins. Commercial construction comes with warrantied work from a licensed general contractor. Certain aspects of the facility are covered for different periods of time from the date of turn over which are warranty related and this where is making note of the official "Turn Over" date is important. It triggers close out which results in the owners receipt of a significant amount of documentation for one. It also starts the punch list clock which needs to be dealt with proactively by the owner. Most GC's will tell you they want your list. Others may not mention the contractual obligation to they have to complete the punch list items assuming the date will pass by with no effort from them. If you don't submit a punch list to the GC in a timely manner, you could end up adopting sloppy workmanship. For those new to commercial construction, commercial real estate ownership and particularly the ownership of an indoor shooting range here are some suggestions on how to handle the punch list process; also known as "punching out".

Note: There are certain building features that are crucial to the functionality of the building and or may result in wear and tear outside the normal bounds of typical everyday use. These issues should be dealt with quickly and in some cases immediately. Otherwise as the construction process unfolds there are two solutions the owner of an indoor shooting range can an should take. One: hire a firm to conduct special inspections for you, depending upon the project size this will be a budget line item in the tens of thousands and needs to be accounted for in your indoor range budget under soft costs. Two: make observations during construction, don't want until the build is complete and you're ready to move in. If you see workmanship that is sub-par or even if it looks odd, mention it to your GC and document in writing and with photos that you did. Some work, like bricklaying, can't be redone later.

Some other items to observe include:

• caulk that's not smooth

• a seam that's no consistent or clean

• inconsistencies in paint and other finishes

• grout lines that look questionable

• anything that is loose or looks susceptible to coming loose

• walk the entire roof including the perimeter coping and look over the edge of the at the building from all corners and midway down walls. Look at roof penetrations around HVAC and vents as well.

• Open and close EVERYTHING to confirm there's nothing binding on a threshold or hinge.

• run all equipment as well, lights, carriers, mechanical units etc to ID equipment that's not 100% functional. For those items you can leave on, not just turn on and flick right back off, do. Problems sometimes don't manifest until hours or sometimes days later.

As the upfit process begins, walk through looking and begin compiling your punch list items so that you can ask about an issue before it gets covered up with tile and is either never fixed or you don't realize it's a problem. This will ensure that you catch more issues with multiple walk thru's on different days since it's hard to catch every single issue the first time through the facility.

If properly scoped your project architect may be willing to do this with you as well as your owner's rep / consultant / development partner. Having another set of eyes is always helpful. Regardless, go at your pace, not anyone else's. Include the GC's superintendent in the official punch walk through so he better understands the written list of items. In most cases, the superintendent already knows about the issues, but you need to document them the formality of the process.

Get the punch list in writing to ensure nothing is forgotten and you can quickly confirm completion. Another trick is to use painters tape which you can write a checklist reference number on to make the list more coherent for the superintendent and his sub constructors who will be making many of the corrective work efforts to resolve the punch list.

For more insights and recommendations on how to plan, design, budget, engage the various members of the team necessary to complete a commercial construction project like an indoor shooting range, contact Stuart Mullen at 855-211-1919.