STOBG builders are securing flawless project deliveries thanks to quality initiatives, planning, and collaboration.
The construction industry often talks about the “elusive” zero punch—completing a project with no outstanding corrections on the punch list. While flawless deliveries certainly don’t come easy, STOBG builders are hitting the mark thanks to strong quality initiatives and the efforts of local teams.
Several of our quality experts and field leaders shared perspectives on how to achieve zero punches. They stressed the importance of collaboration, partnership, and strong planning. They also shared that zero punches are attainable when an organization comes together the power of our platform in action.
QUALITY AT WORK
The foundation of a flawless delivery is set before a project even breaks ground.
Zero punches are a product of our Quality 360° program,” EXPLAINS LISA DUNMEYER, TECH OPS PROJECT MANAGER FOR STOBG. “They result from our best practices. If you follow the recipe, you will be on track to achieve a zero punch.”
That recipe begins with identifying constructability concerns before building begins and continues when the project begins with in-progress reviews. Up to six weeks before substantial completion, some teams may bring on a designated closeout group to support the punch process, though this practice varies across projects and business units throughout the organization. Pre-punch items are tracked in STOBG’s quality control database and reviewed weekly. Following an inspection, STOBG prepares a punch list and develops a strategy to finalize the space for the client.
Dunmeyer also chairs STOBG’s Quality 360° Leadership Group, which brings STOBG builders together to strengthen quality. “The whole idea of the group is to get on the line, talk about particular topics, and have an open forum for people to reach out,” she says.
This openness is a key part of STOBG’s quality approach. According to Susan Tienhaara, quality manager for Govan Brown and a key proponent of their zero punch initiative, these programs work because everyone comes together with the same goal.
“My messaging to teams is trying to come across as being an assistant,” Tienhaara says. “I want to help you. I’m not here to criticize you. We want to collaborate, not police. Partnering, not policing.”
From monitoring to dialog, our practices ensure that quality is a continuous commitment—and strong deliveries are a natural outcome.
A TEAM EFFORT
While organizational culture sets the tone for flawless execution, our field leaders are the front line. By addressing issues early and building strong close-out plans, they increase the odds of a zero punch finish.
Ryan O’Malley, superintendent for Structure Tone NY, credits his team’s flawless delivery to setting the punchlist process and schedule early, aligning the client, consultants, and trade partners from day one. The team also reserved time at the end of the schedule for thorough review and sign‑off, enabling early QA/QC, proactive issue resolution, and a seamless closeout.
“That’s essentially building a schedule that allows for enough time on the tail end of the job to be really focused,” O’Malley explains, “and zeroing in on quality control and punch listing before the client moves in.” Matthew Iametti, another STNY superintendent who achieved a flawless delivery this year, noted that having an out‑of‑town architect added complexity. “Establishing the punchlist standard early, the team prepared mock‑ups during architect’s first site visit, giving trade partners a clear benchmark as the project progressed. They also set a detailed schedule at the start and reviewed it weekly, keeping punchlist completion a priority during construction.”
