A checklist, a short checklist of items that need to be completed, repaired, or replaced, is common in the construction and remodeling industries. It acts as a quick and easy reference of the status of the project and its readiness status. Keeping to-do list items to a minimum can improve customer satisfaction and prevent home closing delays. The use of temporary surface protection on installed finishes such as countertops, cabinets, floors, doors and door frames has been shown to significantly reduce to-do list items. Preventing scratches and dents on surfaces goes a long way to ensuring a short to-do list. Homeowners may not see what’s inside the walls during a tour, but they’ll certainly notice a big scratch on their new flooring, countertops, or cabinets!

Contractors should not only invest in temporary surface protection, but also have their own internal checklist to address any items prior to the final customer walkthrough. The customer should see and know that the contractor has used surface protection, as it increases overall homebuyer satisfaction. Protected and installed finishes must have their surface protection removed before the owner walks through them, but they must remain on the finishes late enough to protect the finish as long as possible during construction.

Contractor lists can also be used in nearly every phase of the construction process to help communicate issues with vendors and business partners regarding the quality and status of their work. Many times, builders will use temporary surface protection such as Protecta-Foam or floor protection specified in a subcontractor’s contract. Although the subcontractor may protect their work, it is also the responsibility of the builders to ensure that the protection is not removed by other trades or that the surface protection used is suitable for the job. Much like those created during a final walkthrough with a homebuyer, construction to-do lists ensure that the workmanship and quality is top notch. When an owner notices and identifies to the builder any items that need to be added to a checklist, the builder must explain the policies and procedures in place to address everything on the checklist in a timely manner.

Most builders go out of their way to cross off all items on the list before the owner owns them so that the closing process is smooth. Depending on the list, a builder may try to schedule the labor needed to tackle each item on the same day, rather than over multiple days, out of respect for time and the new owner’s busy schedule. The use of temporary surface protection can help builders achieve the goal of a short list and keep necessary repairs short and simple. Surface protection leads to short to-do lists. A short to-do list cuts down on the inevitable repair time and gets a satisfied homeowner into their new home as soon as possible.