How to manage the long-tail of punch lists for small projects?

When wrapping up a small office renovation, I encountered a tricky situation: the main project was long finished, but small items like door stops, paint touch-ups, and outlet covers dragged on for two weeks, and the client kept delaying the final payment. It seems like a minor issue, but it impacts costs, client experience, and team trust. To handle this, I separated facts from judgments. I…