Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI), or colloquially known as the final walk-through, is a crucial aspect of new home buying. After the searching, negotiating, and the emotional decision making involved in buying a new home, walking through with a pre-delivery inspection checklist is vital to verify you are getting exactly what you believe. A PDI checklist is there to protect your investment and verify that there are not surprises after you finalize the purchase.
Key Takeaways
Why You Need a Building Inspections Checklist Before Move-In
Considered the most important purchase a person can make in their lifetime, buying a home is not a spur of the moment decision for anyone. It is not to be taken lightly, and no-one wants to suddenly find unresolved issues after the purchase of their new home. An ounce of prevention saving a pound of cure in this case is utilizing a Building Inspections Checklist.
A Building Inspections Checklist consists of lists of items that are vital to identifying any potential issues that may occur in the time after purchase. This is the opportunity to pinpoint any problems giving you time to address the problem and resolve it before it increases in scope.
When Should You Do the Final Inspection?
The general consensus of when to do the PDI inspection is as close to the closing date as possible. If not on the closing day itself, it should be conducted after the seller or tenants have vacated the premises. In this way, there is a greater chance that the property will be in the same condition as agreed upon after the walk-through.
What to Include in Your Building Inspections Checklist
Before getting into the items that should be included in your Building Inspections Checklist, there are some general rules that you should follow when taking part in the final walk-through. Be nice with the developer’s representative as honey catches more flies, but remember, this is your final walk-through, so be picky. There are no silly questions, so ask for clarification if you need to. Also, take your time working through your checklist, and don’t let a representative rush you through to the end.
That said, there are some items that should be considered, and kitchens and bathrooms should be scrutinized more carefully.
Inside
Outside
What to Do If You Spot Problems Before Moving In
There may be insignificant issues in the pre-delivery inspection checklist for your new home that present themselves like finding a tissue on the floor. However, what if a problem is identified in your final walkthrough that appears to require more than a quick wipe down of a surface?
First, document everything. Take photos and video of the problem making sure that the issue can be clearly seen. Then, get in touch with your real estate agent and inform them of what you have found. Together with your real estate agent, you may be able to work out a solution with the seller such as a price reduction on the sale.
However, if negotiations don’t come to a satisfactory conclusion, you may need to delay closing the deal or even holding back funds in escrow until the seller resolves the problem.
Final Tips for a Stress-Free Custom Home Move-In
Engaging in a pre delivery inspection or final walk-through can be a stress filled time. There is a lot to think about and to verify. Being prepared with your documents and your inspection items can help to alleviate the pressures, but sometimes you may need more. The key takeaway that comes from this article is that triumph depends on previous preparation. Be prepared, be alert, and be successful.
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FAQs
While not always directly connected, a post construction inspection may need to be conducted to assess a property’s condition before a lender signs off on financing. As a PDI can identify and address any potential problems with a home purchase, this would go a long way to eliminating any surprise expenditures or repairs and cause a lender to be less wary.
When it is time for the PDI, it is best to be prepared for any eventuality. Obviously, bring your comprehensive pdi inspection checklist, but don’t forget to bring the Agreement of Purchase and Sale (APS) as a reference guide. Other items that you should bring include a notepad with a couple of pens, the floor plan with a measuring tape, and a fully charged phone with charger to check wall plugs as well as to take photos and video. Another extremely useful item to bring to the walk-through is a small flashlight for those lesser accessible dark places.
In general, check to make sure that there is no visible damage throughout and that all agreed-upon items are complete. Test all wall plugs, faucets, appliances, and switches to make sure that they function. Look in every nook and cranny for dirt and leftover building materials. Make sure to run the water to check for leaks and water pressure. Essentially, focus on identifying any possible issues even if those may be considered inconsequential.
In Toronto, those allowed to attend a pre-delivery inspection are the purchasers listed on the Agreement of Purchase and Sale (APS). While they are strongly advised to take part in the PDI, a different person can be designated in the purchaser’s place. The designate can be almost anyone and can even be a professional home inspector. If there is a designate, the purchaser should complete an Appointment of Designate form to be presented to the builder before or, less ideally, at the time of the pre-delivery inspection.
