Finally, the new construction house you’ve been waiting for is ready! Surely, you can’t wait to move into your new place that you’re about to call home. But there’s one more critical step before closing – the final walkthrough. To help ensure a smooth closing, we’ve created a final walk-through checklist for your new construction home. The final walkthrough is your last chance to make sure that everything you’ve contracted for are in the home. If there are quality issues or missing features, a “punch out” list will have all the notes regarding these issues and will be handed to the subcontractor for completion.
There are actually two separate walk-throughs when a home is considered complete by the builder.
- The construction walkthrough – The superintendent that oversaw the construction will meticulously inspect the home inside and out. Any issues will be given to the trade that did the work and will be given 48 hours to complete their punch out work.
- The final walkthrough – After the construction walk-through, the construction manager will meet with the homeowner to perform the final walkthrough. If there are issues found even after the construction walkthrough, the closing day can be delayed until everything is fixed. But if the closing day can’t be changed, both parties can sign a summary of the walkthrough and agree that all faults will be fixed after the closing day.
What happens during the final walkthrough?
The final walkthrough is a great time to ask the builder representative about the warranty claims process should they arise. This is also the best time to ask the seller about the house maintenance and use of any of its features.
The final walkthrough is your last chance to ensure that:
- All of the agreed-upon fixtures detailed in the contract are in the home.
- All systems and appliance are present and functioning properly.
- All requested repairs from the last construction walkthrough are complete and to your satisfaction.
- No new repair or quality issues have come up since the last inspection.
What to inspect during the final walk through?
- Exterior checklist
Landscaping
Paint
Roof gutters and drainage
Deck, porch, patio
Lighting
Outdoor living space (porch, deck, patio, landscaping, pool)
Driveway walkway
Garage (door, shelving, security features) - Interior checklist
Every door and window
Walls, ceilings, trim and flooring
Cabinets and built-ins
Appliances
Kitchen and baths fixtures
Sinks, toilets, and tubs
HVAC
Electrical and tech systems
Attic and basement, or crawl space
If you spot any issues during your final walkthrough, have your real estate agent contact the builder immediately. Depending on the situation, you or your agent can…
- Delay the closing until all repair requests are complete and to your satisfaction; or
- Negotiate for a sum of money to be held in escrow until the fixes are made.
A meticulous and all-inclusive walkthrough can help you move into your new construction home with confidence. You don’t have to walk through your home buying alone. You need a local real estate professional with expert knowledge to help you through the journey of home buying – from finding a Houston home and applying for a mortgage to the final walkthrough.
And if you’re about to have your final walkthrough, we hope that it’s going to be a stress-free experience from start to finish. At Luminous Homes, we deliver quality build and design because we believe that every final walkthrough should give every homeowner the peace of mind that they deserve before closing..
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Luminous Homes provides exceptional single-family residences committed to exceed expectations by capitalizing on over 23 years of combined experience in residential real estate and high end custom home design. Each home we design and build are held to a higher standard of quality, ensuring that our clients move into a home that exudes superior craftsmanship, insightful design, and coveted features.
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