Contractor Defect List

Quick answer

What is a contractor defect list?

A contractor defect list is a record of substandard, incomplete, or non-conforming work flagged during a project, effectively a formal defect list. Each item describes the defect, its location, and the responsible trade, backed by photos, and is tracked to rectification before final payment or handover. Punch List & Site Audit captures each item with a photo on site and exports the PDF in the field, with no laptop and no retyping later.

Learn more: the underlying defect list workflow.

What teams need from Contractor Defect List

Builders, site supervisors, and project managers need a fast way to log defects and assign rectification to the right trade.

The app keeps field notes, trade ownership, and handover reports in one place.

How Punch List & Site Audit fits the workflow

Each defect can carry location, trade, status, due date, notes, and photo evidence in one record.

That keeps PCI inspections consistent and makes PDF reporting fast at handover.

Why crews keep it on site

Instead of paper notes or static spreadsheets, the whole defect list stays live in the field and easy to share.

Builders, consultants, and homeowners review the same structured record from first inspection to final handover sign-off.

How it works

From walkthrough to report in three steps

Punch List & Site Audit keeps capture, assignment, review, and handoff in one iPhone workflow.

Create the project

Start a site, client, or renovation project and keep each job separated with progress counts and search.

Capture every snag on site

Add title, notes, location, photos, status, priority, category, assignee, and due date as you walk — a few taps per item, then Save & Add Another to keep the walkthrough moving.

Generate the PDF before you leave

Turn the list into a client-ready PDF with photos and item details right on site — no laptop, no retyping it later. Pro unlocks clean branded reports, export, and iCloud sync.

Feature proof

Specific proof from the app

Each feature below maps to the actual Punch List & Site Audit workflow: capture, annotate, organize, filter, report, and hand off.

Capture

Add snags without slowing the walk

Record the issue, description, location, and photos in one form, then use Save & Add Another to keep moving.

Title, description, and location fields
Camera and photo-library capture
Rapid repeat entry for walkthroughs

Photos

Mark exactly what needs work

Annotate photos before they go into the report, so subcontractors can see the exact defect and location.

Draw, rectangle, circle, arrow, and text tools
Undo/redo, selectable annotations, and color controls
Annotated images save back to the item

Punch List status, priority, assignment, and due date controls

Accountability

Assign, prioritize, and date the work

Each snag can carry status, priority, category, assignee, and due date so the list is actionable before handoff.

Open, in progress, and closed statuses
Low, medium, and high priority chips
Assignee suggestions and quick due-date choices

Punch List PDF report preview with photos and item details

Reports

Turn the list into a client-ready PDF on site

Generate a PDF with item numbers, status, priority, due dates, assignments, and inline photos right there in the field — so the report is done before you leave, not back at a laptop that night.

Build the report in the field, no laptop required
Pro unlocks clean PDFs and company branding
Share from the iOS share sheet before you drive off

Punch List filter screen for open items and priority

Review

Find the right items fast

Search and filter snags by the fields teams actually use during closeout reviews.

Search title, description, location, category, and assignee
Filter by status, priority, category, and assignee
Grouped open, in-progress, and closed sections

Projects

Keep every site separated

Manage multiple projects with progress counts, project search, import, export, and iCloud sync for Pro workflows.

Project-level progress and open-item counts
Search across project name, client, and location
Pro unlocks project import/export and iCloud sync

Frequently asked questions

Is a contractor defect list the same as a defect list?

In most contexts yes. "Contractor defect list" and "defect list" describe the same document. Some contracts use "deficiency" for work that fails contract requirements and "defect" for smaller incomplete items, but the workflow and fields are identical.

How should contractor defects be documented?

Each defect should carry a dated photo, a specific location, a short description referencing the contract or specification it fails, the responsible trade, and a status tracked through to rectification. Timestamps and photos prevent disputes.

Who tracks the contractor defect list?

The builder usually owns the list, but owners, architects, consultants, and building inspectors can add items. One shared tool stops duplicate lists and conflicting status updates between parties.

What happens if a contractor refuses to fix a defect?

Most contracts let the owner withhold retention, engage another contractor to correct the work, or pursue formal dispute resolution. Photo-backed defect records are critical evidence in any of those paths.

What's the best app for tracking contractor defects?

Punch List & Site Audit captures every defect with a photo, location, category, and status, then exports a PDF report. It works offline on iOS and produces a defensible record you can share with people who don't need an app login.

Related Guides

Run defect lists and handover inspections from your iPhone

Download Punch List & Site Audit on iOS. Capture snags with photos, mark up what needs fixing, and produce a clean PDF report right there in the field — no laptop, no typing the list back up at the office that night.

Download on the App Store