If you are building a new home or undergoing a major renovation, before the builder is “finished,” you will have an opportunity to walk around the premises with the builder and create what is called a deficiency list. This is a list of everything that needs to be fixed or redone before you will accept that the work is complete.
In today’s blog article, we are going to talk about how to create this kind of list. But before we get there, you may be wondering how detailed this list can or should be. In other words, how nitpicky can you be? The answer is “it depends.” Whatever is going to grate on your nerves and that you will notice every time you pass it by should be on the list.
With a simple Google search, you can find templates for detailed lists of what you should look for. We are going to give you a rough idea below.
Electrical
Assuming that any electrical work passed inspection, you could carry with you something small to plug in and see if the outlets all work. Are you missing any switches or outlets?
Paint
Is the painting complete? Is there paint on the floor that was not cleaned up? Do you see any flashing or signs that the paint job was less than thorough?
Flooring
Is the flooring done to your satisfaction? Is it neat and tidy? Are there transition strips where there should be?
Kitchens and Bathrooms
Are appliances installed and working? Do water taps work? Was the tile cleaned satisfactorily after grouting?
Walls
Are there any dents or dirt or smudges on walls? Is the surface smooth?
This is just a partial list. However, look closely in each room, because this is your chance to get things fixed that are not quite right. Overall check and see if the place is clean. There should not be, for example, any dust or debris inside new cabinets.
When you have finished the deficiency list and handed it to your builder, then you can have peace of mind that your place will be perfect when you start living there.
For a home inspection on the Lower Mainland, give us a call at (778) 788-5301. This is our business and area of expertise.
The Inspectors is a group of very experienced home inspectors who bring reliability and integrity to the practice of home inspection. These inspectors follow closely the established standards of the Canadian National Association of Certified Home Inspectors.
If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about home inspection, we encourage you to call us at (778) 788-5301.