KNOW THE HOME. PLAN YOUR NEXT STEP.
A Builder Walkthrough and a Home Inspection Are Different
Understand how a builder walkthrough and an independent home inspection serve different purposes, and plan time to review findings before closing.
A builder walkthrough often includes a list of visible finish items to discuss before moving in. An independent home inspection has a different agreed scope and can raise questions about accessible systems and conditions. A paint touch-up list should not be mistaken for an inspection report.
Plan the visits around the actual stage
Ask the builder when the home will be ready and what access is permitted. Tell the inspection team whether construction is complete, which systems will be operating and when your walkthrough and closing are scheduled. A finished-home appointment should not be assumed to include earlier construction phases.
Share concerns before the visit, then read the report and its limitations afterward. Take specific observations to the builder through its required process and keep records of responses and work completed. Ask the inspector to explain unclear terms rather than interpreting a photograph without context.
Keep expectations accurate
Municipal inspections, builder processes, warranties and an independent inspection serve different purposes. None should be represented as a promise that every condition has been examined or that a home will remain trouble-free. An inspector does not determine warranty coverage or guarantee that a builder will make a particular repair.
This article's original publication was in October 2019. Its useful distinction remains the difference between a cosmetic walkthrough and an agreed inspection scope; the market commentary from that period is not a description of today's conditions.
Explore DAMNGOOD New Construction Inspections or contact the team with the property and dates. Allow time to understand findings before the next decision.