Homeowner guide Preparing for your pre-closing walkthrough.

What to bring

You do not need a toolbox full of equipment, but a few simple items are useful.

• A copy of your builder's specifications or selections
• Your floor plan, if available
• Your closing or punch-list documents
• A phone or camera for documenting conditions
• A notepad or a notes app
• A small flashlight
• Any questions or concerns you have already raised with the builder

If the builder has provided a homeowner orientation or walkthrough checklist, bring that as well.

Start with the big picture

Before focusing on individual items, walk through the entire home. Look at the overall condition of the interior and exterior and compare what you see with your plans, selections and expectations. Pay attention to:

• Areas that appear incomplete
• Damaged or missing components
• Items that do not match your selections
• Doors, windows, cabinets and other components that appear improperly installed
• Visible water staining or moisture-related conditions
• Areas that need cleaning or final completion
• Exterior grading, drainage and site conditions

Then work through the home systematically rather than moving at random from room to room.

Operate the components you can safely operate

A walkthrough is not just a visual exercise. Where the builder permits it and it can be done safely, operate the components you are expected to use as a homeowner:

• Doors and windows, locks and latches
• Cabinet doors and drawers
• Plumbing fixtures, faucets and toilets
• Light switches, fixtures and ceiling fans
• Garage doors and exterior doors
• Appliances
• Thermostats and HVAC controls
• Other installed, homeowner-operated components

Look for proper operation, unusual conditions, damage, missing components, or anything that does not work as intended. Do not attempt to operate equipment or systems that require specialized knowledge, involve exposed electrical components, or are restricted by the builder.

Look closely at the details

Once the overall walkthrough is complete, slow down and look at the details.

• Interior finishes. Walls, ceilings, flooring, trim, doors, cabinets, countertops and other finished surfaces.
• Windows and doors. Operation, locks, latches, screens, visible damage and installation conditions.
• Plumbing. Fixtures, faucets, drains, toilets, visible piping and the areas beneath sinks.
• Electrical. Accessible switches, receptacles, fixtures and other homeowner-operated components.
• HVAC. Thermostats, accessible registers, system operation and visible conditions.
• Kitchen and appliances. Installation, operation, finishes and the items included with your selections.
• Garage and exterior. Garage door operation, exterior doors, visible finishes, drainage, grading and other accessible components.

Compare the home with what you purchased

Your selections and contract documents matter during the pre-closing walkthrough. Check that the finished home reflects the selections and options you purchased: flooring, cabinets, countertops, appliances, lighting, plumbing fixtures, doors, hardware, paint or finish selections, electrical options, structural or design options, and any other contracted upgrades.

If something does not appear to match what you selected, document it and ask the builder for clarification.

Document what you find

If you identify an item that needs attention, document it clearly. A useful record includes:

• What. What is the condition?
• Where. Where exactly is it located?
• Photo. Can you capture the condition clearly?
• Action. What needs to be corrected, completed or clarified?

Avoid a list that simply says "fix wall" or "check bathroom." Identify the specific location and condition so the builder knows exactly what you are referring to. Photographs and videos are particularly useful when an item is hard to describe in words.

Keep your list organized

A long list becomes hard to manage if everything is written in one running paragraph. Organize observations by room or area and identify each item clearly. For example:

• Primary bedroom. Closet door does not latch. Paint scuffed on the wall left of the closet door. Window screen torn at the lower corner.
• Kitchen. Cabinet door under the sink does not close. Countertop chipped at the left of the cooktop. Dishwasher not secured to the cabinet.

An organized list makes it easier for both you and the builder to track what has been addressed.

Where an inspection fits. This is what a pre-closing inspection report already is: every item photographed, located and written so it can go to the builder as it is. If we inspect before your walkthrough, you arrive with the list in hand. See a page from one.

Give the builder the list

Once your observations are documented, provide the list to the builder or construction manager through the builder's established process. Ask how they want items submitted and how completed items will be communicated back to you. For significant items, make sure there is a clear written record of what was reported and what action is expected. Keep a copy of the original list so you can compare it with the builder's completed work.

Give yourself time for a follow-up

Do not assume that identifying an item means it will be resolved immediately. Some items need another trade, replacement material, additional work or a return visit. When possible, allow time between the initial walkthrough and closing so the builder can address documented items and you can review the completed work. A follow-up walkthrough is particularly useful for confirming that previously identified conditions have been addressed.

If you are using an independent inspector

If you have arranged for an independent, third-party inspection, coordinate it with the builder according to its access and scheduling requirements. An independent inspection provides a more systematic evaluation of the home's accessible components and documents conditions that may not be obvious during a typical homeowner walkthrough. The inspection and the builder's walkthrough serve different purposes, and the builder's own procedures and required inspections remain part of the construction and closing process.

Timing. We schedule the pre-closing inspection 7 to 10 days before closing for exactly the reason above: late enough that the house is complete and powered, early enough that the builder has working days to address the list before you sign. Send us your closing date as soon as you have one, even a tentative one.

Before you leave

Before completing your walkthrough, make sure you understand:

• Which items have been documented
• Which items the builder plans to address
• How completed items will be communicated
• Whether another walkthrough will take place
• What remains outstanding before closing
• Who to contact if you identify something new

The goal is not a perfect list.

The purpose of a pre-closing walkthrough is not to make the list as long as possible. It is to identify, document and communicate the conditions that should be addressed or clarified before the home is turned over to you. Take your time. Be specific. Document what you find. Then give the builder a clear opportunity to work through the list with you.

A good walkthrough is not about finding everything wrong with a home. It is about knowing what you are receiving before you close.

Because even a new home deserves a second set of eyes.