Taking Your Final Walk Through

Before you close on your custom new home, you and your builder will "walk through" the house to conduct a final inspection.

This is the best opportunity for you to learn how your new home works and to notice items that need to be fixed or adjusted.

At the same time the builder will inform you about the following items:

• The operation of the house's mechanical systems.
• The homeowner's responsibilities for maintenance and upkeep.
• Warranty coverage and procedures.

With a new house, you will be receiving a stack of instruction booklets all at once.

It helps if someone can take the time to show you how to operate all of the kitchen appliances, the heating and cooling systems, heat recovery ventilator, the water heater, alarm system, and other features in the home.

Such an orientation is particularly useful considering that when moving into a new home, people often are so busy that they have trouble finding time to read instructions.

All new homes come with a one-year warranty on workmanship and materials for the most part. Structural defects are covered for up to seven years depending on the problem and the place..

These types of warranties do not cover problems that develop because of failure to perform required maintenance.

Should a warranted problem arise after you move in, the builder is likely to have a set of warranty service procedures to follow.

Except in emergencies, requests for service should be in writing.

This is not because the builder is trying to be bureaucratic.

Rather, it is to ensure that everyone clearly understands the service to be performed.

The person receiving a service request is not likely to be the person performing the work, and you don't want to rely on word of mouth for transmission of your service order.

Many builders schedule two visits during the first year -- one near the beginning and the other near the end -- to make necessary adjustments and to perform work of a non-emergency nature.

You should not expect a builder to rush out immediately for a problem such as a nail pop in your drywall.

Such problems occur because of the natural settling of the house and are best addressed in one visit near the end of the first year.

With respect to inspecting the house, an effective way to handle this is with a checklist.

The list should include everything that needs attention, and you and your builder should agree to a timetable for repairs.

Builders prefer to remedy problems before you move in, because it is easier for them to work in an empty house.

Some items may have to be corrected after move-in.

For instance, if your walk-through is in the winter, your builder may have to delay landscaping adjustments until spring.

It is important that you be very thorough and observant during the walk-through.

Carefully examine all surfaces of counters, fixtures, floors and walls for possible damage.

Sometimes, disputes arise because a buyer may discover a gouge in a counter top after move-in, and there is no way to prove whether it was caused by the builder's workers or the buyer's movers.

Many builders ask their buyers to sign a form at the walk-through stating that all surfaces have been inspected and that there was no damage other than what has been noted on the walk-through checklist.

Ask a lot of questions during the walk-through and take notes on the answers.

Never be afraid to appear stupid by asking too many questions.

It is important to view the walk-through as a positive learning experience that will enhance your enjoyment of your home.

Here's a check list to help you through this process:

• Does the ground around the foundation slope away from the house?
• Make sure the water does not pond in swales.
• To check, water the areas with a hose, if possible.
• Are there signs of erosion?
• Is the water pooling on the driveway?
• If the house has a basement, are the basement window wells clean and graveled?
• Are the shingles flat and tight?
• Is the flashing securely in place?
• Do the gutters leak?
• Do the gutters, downspouts and splash blocks direct water away from the house?
• Are the windows and doors sealed and protected by weather stripping?
• Is the caulking placed correctly?
• Are the trim and fittings tight? Are there any cracks?
• Does the paint cover the surface and trim smoothly?
• Are all doors and windows sealed?
• Do they open and close easily?
• Is the glass properly in place? Is any loose or cracked?
• Is the painting satisfactory in all rooms, closets and stairways?
• Did the painters miss any spots?
• Are there any paint spots where they should not be?
• Are the trim and molding in place?
• Is the carpet tight? Do the seams match?
• Are there any ridges or seam gaps in vinyl tile or linoleum?
• Are wooden floors properly finished?
• Do all of the appliances operate properly?
• Check all faucets and plumbing fixtures, including toilets and showers, to make sure they operate properly.
• Check all electrical fixtures and outlets. Bring a hair dryer to test the outlets.
• Do the heating, cooling and water heating units operate properly? Test them to make sure.
• If the home has a fireplace, do the draft and damper work?
• Are there any nicks, scratches, cracks or burns on any surfaces, including cabinets and countertops?
• Test the doorbell. Also test the intercom system, garage door opener and any other optional items.
• Are there indications of dampness or leaks or mould?
• Is there significant cracking in the floors or foundation walls?
• Are there any obvious defects in exposed components, such as floor joists, I-beams, support columns, insulation, heating ducts, plumbing, electrical, etc.?
• Is there Occupancy Permit from your local municipality?

Some problems may not be readily apparent during the walk-through. Even a professional inspector might miss a few.

Most warranties cover any such problems that are the result of faulty workmanship.
However, warranties usually exclude problems that result from owner neglect or improper maintenance.