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Home / what to look for in a new build walk through

what to look for in a new build walk through

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Builders typically schedule several walkthroughs with customers while their new home is under construction and afterward it's completed. Hither's what y'all can expect at each visit.

Yous've signed a contract on your new home and selected your cabinets, appliances, floor and other finishes.

If you lot thought that was heady, brace yourself — the side by side stride is the start of construction.

No doubt you'll exist eager to watch events unfold on the job site – when asked most keeping track of the construction procedure, panelists of the New Home Source Insights Panel said they were interested in keeping runway of their home'due south progress in real fourth dimension through photos, time-lapse photography and drones. Of those surveyed, 25 percent of respondents said they visited their home's construction site a few times a month (they drove by the homesite).

Information technology's understandable that you desire to encounter your dwelling house'due south progress, but for safe reasons besides as the demands of a production schedule, it's not feasible for homeowners to visit the site at volition. Your architect will suit guided tours at specific points in the process.

Practices may vary from builder to builder, but typically there are two walkthroughs: later the framing and mechanical systems are roughed in, only prior to the installation of insulation and drywall and afterwards structure work is completed.

The Pre-Drywall Walk

Maracay Homes in Scottsdale, Ariz., calls the pre-drywall walkthrough the Difficult Lid Bout. "Most builders perform this walk," says James Attwood, construction area manager for Maracay. "Many call it an options walk or a pre-drywall orientation."

During the hard hat tour, the construction manager confirms that all selections and options have been installed per the customer'southward buy agreement and provides insight into the building components before they're covered up with drywall. "It's a good opportunity [for us] to explain a lot of the things that help their home function, but the main point is to confirm that all of the selections are in identify," Attwood says. "After drywall is installed in the domicile, it's much more than hard to install options located inside the wall cavity."

This walkthrough typically lasts from one to ane-and-a-half hours. The construction manager reviews the framing of the home and its mechanical systems, which include heating, ventilating and ac (HVAC), plumbing and electrical. He or she also reviews all selections and telephone, cable and sound/video locations to make sure they've been installed according to the structure documents. At this time, the construction manager will go over warranty and service procedures and the client'southward responsibilities as far as maintenance.

To get the well-nigh out of a pre-drywall walkthrough, Maracay recommends that customers bring along the following items:

  • Copy of the architect'due south customer service manual;
  • Purchase understanding;
  • Option sheets;
  • Phone, cable and audio/video diagrams;
  • List of options and upgrades, if applicative and
  • Landscape and pool plans, if applicative.

The Orientation

The second walkthrough is sometimes chosen a pre-settlement walkthrough. Maracay calls information technology the New Home Orientation. Information technology takes between two-and-a-one-half and three hours and is conducted after construction is completed, typically several days before closing.

According to Attwood, Maracay's New Dwelling Orientation goes across the traditional walkthrough to include a detailed demonstration of the home's operation and a review of the owner'due south maintenance responsibilities and warranties. The orientation is also another opportunity for the builder to confirm that the dwelling house has been delivered with all construction work completed and selections installed as requested.

At this fourth dimension, the construction director demonstrates how to operate the heating and air-conditioning units, appliances, electric circuit breakers, plumbing shut-off valves and other necessary equipment that keeps a home running smoothly.

During the New Abode Orientation, the homeowner and construction managing director will inspect surfaces such as floors, walls, window glass, mirrors, appliances and countertops to ensure there are no chips, scratches or other noticeable damage. It'south wise to go into this inspection with an eagle eye, because such cosmetic items will not exist covered by your warranty afterward the orientation. Remember that any items that need attention must be noted in writing on a checklist, or punch list.

"This is the client's opportunity to identify cosmetic defects on cabinets, countertops and other things that are susceptible to damage after the customer closes on the home," Attwood says. "After closing, there is no mode to tell if cosmetic harm was caused during the construction process or was the issue of damage incurred during the moving process."

Paint bear upon-ups are the most frequently noted items on a walkthrough. Yous should too check hardwood floor, countertops, carpet, drywall, appliances, cabinets, windows, bathtubs, showers, tile piece of work and then on. Walk effectually the outside of the house as well, looking for such things as damaged siding, sloppy brickwork and poorly sealed crevices. If the landscaping is already in, make sure in that location'southward no dead vegetation.

Homeowners are given a stack of documents at the orientation, including a list of emergency phone numbers for critical trade partners (such equally heating and plumbing) who may be needed later business hours or on weekends. They also receive the manufacturers' literature for the furnace, water heater, appliances and other consumer products. Simply quite a bit of information is conveyed verbally, and so instead of relying on your memory, accept lots of notes.

Maracay's goal is to complete all items noted at the New Home Orientation prior to shut of escrow. More often than not, well-nigh are completed before the homeowners motility in. If at that place are any outstanding items when the closing date arrives, Maracay coordinates completion of the work in much the same way a warranty asking would be handled. But, Attwood says, "It's certainly the exception to the rule to take an open up detail at the time of endmost." Some builders allocate only xxx to 45 minutes for this walkthrough. Don't let yourself to be rushed through the process. It's better to fix minor things now, earlier they become bigger, more expensive bug. It also benefits the builder's reputation to handle such issues promptly.

The Presentation

Maracay schedules a tertiary and final walkthrough, the New Home Presentation, several days after the New Home Orientation. "Typically, for us, it'due south nigh three concern days between the orientation and the presentation," says Attwood. "So if the orientation took place on a Monday, the presentation would happen on Th or Friday of that week. Inside that time menstruum, nosotros'll complete all the punch list items."

Builders prefer to remedy problems before the homeowners motility in considering it's easier for them to piece of work in an empty house, just some items may take to be corrected after move-in. For example, if the walkthrough is in the winter, landscaping adjustments may have to be delayed until spring.

During the one-hour walkthrough, homeowners are asked to initial and sign off on the completed punch list items, documenting that the piece of work has been done to their satisfaction. If any new items are discovered, they're forwarded to Maracay's warranty section and then that repairs can exist scheduled subsequently motion-in.

It'south common practice for builders to schedule followup visits during the first year of homeownership to brand necessary adjustments and perform non-emergency repairs, such every bit nail pops in the drywall. Boom pops occur due to the natural settling of the house and are best addressed near the end of the first year.

While it'south important for customers to verify that punch list items have been completed, the New Domicile Presentation is really more of a celebration, Attwood says. When the new owners pull up in front of their home, they encounter a "Welcome to your new Maracay home" banner strung across the garage door. Typically the entire team is present, including the projection manager, the warranty representative and the salesperson. "We give them the keys and a gift basket and have pictures of them in forepart of the home," Attwood says.

Walkthrough Dos and Don'ts

Do:

  • Brand a listing in accelerate of any questions you take near maintenance and warranty procedures.
  • On the date ready for the walkthrough, make certain that you'll exist able to devote all of your attention to the task at hand. Endeavor not to schedule other appointments.
  • Bring pens, paper, a clipboard and a digital camera so yous can accept notes and photos.
  • Bring your buy agreement, customer service transmission, option sheets, audio/video diagrams and landscape and pool plans, if applicable.
  • Wear clothing that is appropriate for walking a construction site, including closed-toe shoes.
  • Park in the street, not the driveway, specially if the home is withal under structure.
  • Keep your hard hat on during the tour.
  • Verify the expected dates for completion of repairs, if whatsoever are needed, and become a re-create of the completed punch listing before you leave the site.

Don't:

  • Be late for the walkthrough. Builders have busy schedules and may have appointments with other customers on the same day.
  • Bring pets, children or other family members and friends. You'll need to focus your attention on what is beingness presented.
  • Rush through the walkthrough. Take your time and exist thorough.
  • Be shy about asking a lot of questions.

Learn more than about dwelling inspectors and the benefits they tin can offering you during walkthroughs here.

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Source: https://www.newhomesource.com/learn/what-to-know-about-walkthroughs/