Once your home builder puts the finishing touches on your new home, they will schedule a walkthrough with you. This is your opportunity to check in with your builder and check out the details of your new space. Once you get your keys and step through the front door, make the most of your walkthrough with these tips.
Look It Over: Inspect Appearances
Your final walkthrough will usually take place after city or local inspectors have performed their own inspections, confirming that your new home has been built in accordance with applicable codes and requirements (e.g., fire codes, electrical requirements, etc.). But these inspectors won’t necessarily look to see that your home is aesthetically perfect, nor will they care about most cosmetic issues.
During your walkthrough, check to make sure that the finishes, fixtures, and fabrics in your new home look and feel up to par. Make note of any blemishes, scratches, dents, or flaws in the paint, countertops, cabinets, and other surfaces. Be sure to look 360° around each room, from floor to ceiling and in all closets and built-in units. Walk around the entirety of your property to inspect the drainage, landscaping, and infrastructure as well as any outdoor entertaining spaces and/or built-ins. Take photos and make a list of each issue to discuss with your builder.
Try It Out: Test Appliances and Systems
As you go through each room, after performing a visual inspection, test everything to make sure it works perfectly.
- Run the water and test all appliances.
- Turn on all lights and fans.
- Check garage door openers.
- Flush all toilets and turn on all showers and bath taps.
- Turn on gas fireplaces and features like built-in outdoor grills.
- Test the heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
- Open and close all doors and windows.
- Test all outlets (buying an inexpensive outlet tester can make this a snap).
- Make sure all locks (and keys) work correctly.
Also try out your home security system and learn how to program, activate, and de-activate it; do the same with any “smart” home features like security cameras, programmable thermostats, and audiovisual systems. Spend the time necessary to make sure that each and every feature of your new home is working properly, and make notes of any deficiencies or imperfections to discuss with your builder.
Use Your Words: Ask Questions and Voice Concerns
During and after the walkthrough, talk with your builder about any issues you discover and discuss a plan of resolution. Reputable Des Moines home builders will work with you to resolve any concerns you have to ensure your dream home is perfect for you and your family. Put your concerns in writing, and memorialize the agreement you come to with your builder for resolving each of those issues (including the timeline you agree upon for fixing each item). Also, make sure to document any agreements you have for handling issues that may arise after you take possession of your home, including getting copies of any warranty agreements that apply to your home’s components (like windows, HVAC, and appliances) and any warranties your builder may offer.
If you’re ready to build your own Des Moines custom home, contact Homes by Brill today. Construction usually takes about four months from the day we turn over the first shovel of dirt to the day you turn your key in the lock. From start to finish, the home construction process can take as little as six months.
We’ve helped over 500 Iowa families build the homes of their dreams. We have a trusted network of suppliers, contractors, and tradespeople to turn your dreams into reality. See some of these custom homes in our gallery, and then contact us to get started on your own Iowa dream home.
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