New Home Walkthrough Checklist

Inspect all exterior elements: siding, trim, windows, doors, grading, driveway, and landscaping before closing.

1. Walk around the entire house — check siding for damage, gaps, or poor alignment

2. Check all windows from outside — no cracked glass, proper caulking, no gaps in trim

3. Inspect the roof (binoculars are fine) — straight shingle lines, proper flashing

4. Check all exterior doors — should open and close smoothly, deadbolts lock properly

5. Verify grading slopes away from the foundation (6" in 10 feet)

6. Inspect the driveway and walkways — no cracks, proper slope

7. Check landscaping — grade smooth, sod or seed applied, trees per plan

8. Verify address numbers are installed and visible from street

9. Check exterior faucets — turn on and off, no leaks

10. Inspect the garage door — opens and closes smoothly, auto-reverse works

- Siding damage or poor installation

- Caulking gaps around windows and trim

- Grading toward house (most common and most important issue)

- Driveway cracks or poor finishing

- Missing landscaping items from contract

- Garage door auto-reverse not working (safety hazard)

Systematically check every room: walls, floors, ceilings, outlets, switches, windows, and doors.

1. In each room check walls — look at an angle for drywall imperfections (dents, nail pops, visible seams)

2. Check ceiling — no cracks, stains, or uneven texture

3. Test every outlet with a tester — all should work and show correct wiring

4. Test every light switch — all should control the correct fixture

5. Open and close every window — should operate smoothly, lock properly

6. Open and close every door — should not stick or swing open/closed on its own

7. Check floors — no squeaks, scratches, or uneven areas

8. Check baseboards and trim — tight joints, consistent caulking, no nail holes showing

9. Look inside closets — shelving installed, walls finished, light works

10. Check paint — consistent color, no drips, runs, or missed spots

- Nail pops in drywall (will appear within first year — builder should fix)

- Outlets not working or wired incorrectly

- Windows that don't lock or are hard to operate

- Doors that stick or don't latch

- Floor scratches from construction

- Missed paint spots or drips

- Closets with unfinished walls or missing shelving

Kitchen and bathrooms need extra attention: appliances, plumbing fixtures, tile, countertops, and cabinet hardware.

1. Test every appliance — run dishwasher, microwave, oven/range, disposal, range hood

2. Run every faucet — check hot and cold, water pressure, drainage speed

3. Flush every toilet — should flush completely and refill without running

4. Check all cabinet doors and drawers — should operate smoothly

5. Inspect countertops — no chips, scratches, or uneven seams

6. Check tile — no cracked tiles, consistent grout, proper caulk at corners

7. Test GFCI outlets — must trip and reset

8. Check under all sinks for leaks while running water

9. Verify exhaust fans work in bathrooms

10. Check shower/tub — spray patterns, hot water, drain speed

- Appliance not working or missing

- Slow drains (construction debris in pipes)

- GFCI not tripping

- Cabinet doors misaligned

- Countertop damage

- Leaks under sinks

- Exhaust fan not ducted to exterior

Test HVAC, water heater, electrical panel, smoke detectors, and all mechanical systems.

1. Run heating and cooling — verify air comes from all registers

2. Check thermostat operation

3. Inspect electrical panel — all breakers labeled, no double-taps

4. Test all smoke and CO detectors — all should sound when tested

5. Check water heater — set to 120°F, no leaks

6. Test garage door opener — auto-reverse should engage when blocked

7. Check doorbell — should ring

8. Test all exterior lights including security/motion lights

9. Check attic — insulation installed properly, no construction debris

10. Check crawl space or basement — clean, dry, no standing water

- HVAC not heating or cooling evenly

- Smoke detectors not interconnected

- Water heater set too high (scald risk)

- Missing breaker labels

- Construction debris in attic or crawl space

- Garage door auto-reverse not working