Handover with nothing left open: a punch list with retainage attached
The end of a job is where you lose your leverage: you have already paid out almost everything, and the small stuff (“the baseboard is missing”, “this door rubs”) drags on forever. Matterial's punch list flips that dynamic with a verified cycle — you log the item with a photo and a location, the contractor uploads proof of the repair from their portal, and you decide whether it closes or reopens. The leverage is real: the contract's retainage is tied to open items, and releasing it with items still open takes an explicit confirmation.
- A cycle with verification: open → repaired (contractor's proof) → closed (you verify) or reopened.
- Every item carries a photo, a location (“bedroom 2, north wall”) and an owner (contractor or in-house).
- The contractor sees ONLY their own items in /mi-subcontrato, and can only move them to “repaired” with proof.
- Contract retainage is not released while items are open without an explicit confirmation.
- It works the same for handover to the end client: same item, same discipline.
- 1
Log the items on the walkthrough
On the contract card (Subcontracts and progress billing), section “Handover items”: title, location, note and photos of the item. Each one is assigned to that contract's contractor — or marked in-house if your own crew fixes it.
- 2
The contractor repairs it and uploads proof
In their portal they see “Items to repair” with your photos. When they are done, they upload their photo of the repair with a note and the item moves to “repaired”. They cannot close it: closing is yours.
- 3
Verify: close it or reopen it
Compare the proof against the item. If it convinces you, close it; if not, reopen it with a note and it goes back on the contractor's list. The whole back-and-forth stays in the record.
- 4
Release retainage only at zero open items
When you try to release the retainage with items still open, Matterial warns you and asks for an explicit confirmation. Retainage is your leverage: use it until the last item is closed.
Frequently asked questions
Can the contractor close their own items?
No. The contractor can only move an item from “open” to “repaired” by uploading proof. Closing (or reopening) belongs to your team: whoever pays, verifies.
Can I use the punch list without subcontracts?
Yes. Items with no contractor assigned are in-house: your own crew repairs them and your team closes them, with the same photo-and-verification discipline.
What if I really do need to release retainage with items open?
You can — there are legitimate cases (a commercial agreement, a negotiated closeout). Matterial does not block you: it shows you how many items are still open and asks you to confirm, so that it is a decision and not an oversight.