Taking Possession of Home Checklist

[hurrdurr]

Hey Guys,

Been reading some builder reviews, most recently "disgruntled" complaining about things that Mattamy homes has done wrong, and I'm getting anxious about taking possession of my home.

What should I look for in our walk through? Things to point out, ask about etc.

I would like to compile a check list so that we do not sign off on any deficiencies.

I've bought a condo before but never brand new, so I want to make sure that I do this right and that I'm not being taken advantage of.

So far, we've already noticed that our cabinets have been chipped and our backsplash in the kitchen/fireplace is not the same that we requested. What are the major and minor things you noticed before moving in that were done incorrectly or poorly that you made sure were addressed prior to possession?

Thanks!

[benyl]

Originally posted by hurrdurr

I've bought a condo before but never brand new, so I want to make sure that I do this right and that I'm not being taken advantage of.


Too late. The contract is iron clad and you have to take possession with or without the deficiencies.

I am sure there is a check list somewhere on Beyond. It is worth searching for.

Main thing is to bring more than just you. So bring 1 or 2 friends to point things out.

[AndyL]

Better yet - there's a couple of the inspection companies who specialize in new home walkthroughs - why don't you really CYA and bring one of them along? :)

[89coupe]

Originally posted by benyl


Too late. The contract is iron clad and you have to take possession with or without the deficiencies.

I am sure there is a check list somewhere on Beyond. It is worth searching for.

Main thing is to bring more than just you. So bring 1 or 2 friends to point things out.

Too late for what?

You don't have to sign off on possession until you are content that all issues have been resolved.

[AndyL]

Originally posted by 89coupe


Too late for what?

You don't have to sign off on possession until you are content that all issues have been resolved.

Not an expert on new home contract law - but I used to watch turnovers happen and wonder how the f*ck they figure it's occupiable...

Stuff like no siding - no backfilling against the foundation, no steps/walks/etc. Used to see them semi regularly - with a huge propane tank on the front lawn (lol, ok the front pile of un-graded dirt) because NG hasn't been hooked up yet...

I don't think new home construction contracts are quite setup to protect the buyer... If the construction company deems you're taking possession - guess what...

[88CRX]

Originally posted by 89coupe


Too late for what?

You don't have to sign off on possession until you are content that all issues have been resolved.

If you don't sign off on possession then the mortgage funds aren't released to the builder. They'll then take your contract, tear it up, give you your deposit and tell you to beat it. Then they'll sell the house for more than your original contract amount to someone else.

[88CRX]

As for checking stuff I concentrate my time on stuff they’ll say you damaged after moving in.

They usually concentrate on paint scuffs on the walls, big deal I can do paint fix ups easy but they won’t tell you to check over the hardwood floors for scratches and if you don’t note them before moving in they won’t fix shit. If you have hardwood look over it VERY closely from a couple different angles, make sure it’s bright in the house or else you won’t see them until daylight shines across the floor. Also check your countertops for scratches, nicks or chips (granite). Check any finished wood items (rails, floors, cabinets) for marks and dings or any sharpie touch ups (which they will try). Check your stainless appliances for scratches or dings. Check to make sure all your upgrades are done correctly. Check the bead of caulking along the counter/backsplash, it always pulls apart in new homes, they’ll probably have to fix this again after 1 year. Check to make sure all the doors open, close and latch correctly. Open/close all the kitchen drawers to make sure they don’t bind or rub on each other.

I don’t bother checking outlets or hot/cold tap water cause they’ll fix that stuff after the fact if something is wrong. They usually try to move you through the house pointing stuff out but be sure to take your time and check over everything you want. And definitely bring another person or two to help.

[benyl]

Originally posted by 89coupe


Too late for what?

You don't have to sign off on possession until you are content that all issues have been resolved.

I quoted the wrong part of his original post. I fixed it.

It too late not to be taken advantage of. You will get possession when they tell you to.

There are some exceptions, but with Condos, I have fought with builders many times and, well, you don't win. Houses are a little different.

[89coupe]

Originally posted by 88CRX


If you don't sign off on possession then the mortgage funds aren't released to the builder. They'll then take your contract, tear it up, give you your deposit and tell you to beat it. Then they'll sell the house for more than your original contract amount to someone else.

Uhhh, no.

[flipstah]

Originally posted by 88CRX


If you don't sign off on possession then the mortgage funds aren't released to the builder. They'll then take your contract, tear it up, give you your deposit and tell you to beat it. Then they'll sell the house for more than your original contract amount to someone else.

What?

You agreed to a contract that the house would be satisfactory and if there are issues that needs to be addressed, I will only take possession until that checklist is cleared.

[SkiBum5.0]

Checklist attached

http://yourinspectionexpert.com/images/WalkthroughChecklist.pdf

[88CRX]

Originally posted by flipstah


What?

You agreed to a contract that the house would be satisfactory and if there are issues that needs to be addressed, I will only take possession until that checklist is cleared.

I don’t mean taking possession with major items missing…. I’m talking about all their BS season or other more minor cosmetic stuff. Good luck not taking possession because your front door isn’t painted or a because a wall has some dings on it or a kitchen cabinet door is busted.

You WILL be taking possession when they say regardless of a list of deficiencies. On top of that the contract stipulates you can’t even hold money back for said deficiencies.

[89coupe]

Originally posted by 88CRX


I don’t mean taking possession with major items missing…. I’m talking about all their BS season or other more minor cosmetic stuff. Good luck not taking possession because your front door isn’t painted or a because a wall has some dings on it or a kitchen cabinet door is busted.

You WILL be taking possession when they say regardless of a list of deficiencies. On top of that the contract stipulates you can’t even hold money back for said deficiencies.

You are wrong.

We didn't take possession of our home till everything on our check list was completed.

PERIOD!

[flipstah]

Originally posted by 88CRX


I don’t mean taking possession with major items missing…. I’m talking about all their BS season or other more minor cosmetic stuff. Good luck not taking possession because your front door isn’t painted or a because a wall has some dings on it or a kitchen cabinet door is busted.

You WILL be taking possession when they say regardless of a list of deficiencies. On top of that the contract stipulates you can’t even hold money back for said deficiencies.

Ohh gotcha. That one I'm not sure of but that doesn't sound right...

I thought that if there are minor deficiencies exist after your first walk-through with the builder (whatever it's called), you point it out to get it fixed. Then, a second one is scheduled after.

[88CRX]

Originally posted by 89coupe


PERIOD!

I assume you did a walkthrough a week or two prior to your occupancy date? What did your list of deficiencies look like then?

Have you even had an occupancy date in the middle of winter?

[89coupe]

Originally posted by 88CRX


I assume you did a walkthrough a week or two prior to your occupancy date? What did your list of deficiencies look like then?

Have you even had an occupancy date in the middle of winter?

We had many walkthrough dates, and on possession day there were a number of things that needed to be done before we were going to sign off.

[hurrdurr]

Benyl it's a home not a condo.

Thanks for the list Ski Bum.

And thanks Ryan for your experience.

[Prop Joe]

You won't be able to hold up a possession date based on seasonal holdbacks. You may be able to hold back some money but you will be taking the house on that date.

[thetransporter]

check for cracks, half ass jobs on plumbing, leaks- fill up the sink with water- etc

open close garage door several times, look for any smell of urine/feces/ in the home as many workers homebuilders hire sometimes just let go in the home itself. (i cant speak of yours)

take a pole or a broom stick try to put it in soil next home foundation - see if its properly packed- many times in Calgary it is not.

[Kinjou]

Originally posted by hurrdurr
So far, we've already noticed that our cabinets have been chipped and our backsplash in the kitchen/fireplace is not the same that we requested. What are the major and minor things you noticed before moving in that were done incorrectly or poorly that you made sure were addressed prior to possession?

Thanks!

Umm if the backsplash is not the same - shouldn't you tell them to get it fixed now rather than when you take possession? I'm waiting for my new home to be completed in a few weeks but the entire build process, every little thing that looked incorrect, I've informed my builder and they've addressed them. Obviously there's going to be more to address during the walk through but at least I know they aren't going to have to tear something down to fix it.

[hurrdurr]

Hey Kinjou.

Thanks, yes we have let them know and they are looking into it.

Also - They've put the carpets in before finishing painting and before putting appliances and lighting fixtures in.

Is this common? Seems strange that they wouldn't put carpet last as it is very susceptible to stains/damage.

[B.Spilner]

Carpet should never be installed before paint.

The amount of dust made, make sure they're steam cleaning.

And the baseboards in the carpet rooms, check for paint on the carpet. Baseboards probably had to be painted while installed there.

[Prop Joe]

Depends if its just wall paint or full on lacquer on all the finishing in the house. If its wall paint it should be fine.

[turbo'dGSR]

Originally posted by hurrdurr
Hey Kinjou.

Thanks, yes we have let them know and they are looking into it.

Also - They've put the carpets in before finishing painting and before putting appliances and lighting fixtures in.

Is this common? Seems strange that they wouldn't put carpet last as it is very susceptible to stains/damage.



Originally posted by sikid111
Carpet should never be installed before paint.

The amount of dust made, make sure they're steam cleaning.

And the baseboards in the carpet rooms, check for paint on the carpet. Baseboards probably had to be painted while installed there.


Baseboard in carpet areas is installed (or should be) a long time before the carpet actually goes in. It will be installed before anything in the house is painted, then the baseboards can be lacquer sprayed along with all other casing, jambs and woodwork. Baseboard that goes in later in the build and needs brush/roller painting is in areas with tile, lino or hardwood once those trades have completed their install.

It sounds like he is talking about the final touch up of paint to fix any trade damage and deficiencies that were missed earlier in the build. Hurrdurr that is totally normal to have carpet in if that is what you are referring to.

[bart]

bring people who know what to look for, ie: walkthrough specialists, once i got 2 separate inspectors lol there was a whole list of stuff to fix

[hurrdurr]

Got possession.

Lots of things will have to be fixed by the 6 week walkthrough but overall we're happy with the quality of the product and price with brookfield!