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New-home final walkthrough before closing checklist

A pre-closing new-home walkthrough checklist for contract and selection conformity, permits and occupancy status, exterior drainage and envelope, room finishes, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, appliances, safety features, functional testing, manuals, warranties, keys, utilities, open corrections, and written closing decisions before ownership and payment leverage changes.

6 items to check

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Plans, selections, changes, permits, occupancy, and closing conditions match the delivered home

Critical item

The delivered property should correspond to authorized documents, with required approvals and unresolved deviations disclosed in writing.

Roof, cladding, windows, doors, grading, drainage, concrete, decks, and site improvements are complete

Critical item

Exterior systems should be complete, undamaged, safely functional, and consistent with approved drainage and product requirements.

Rooms, cabinets, counters, flooring, tile, paint, trim, doors, windows, stairs, and hardware are complete

Installed finishes and components should match selections, operate normally, and be free of unresolved damage or incomplete work.

Plumbing, electrical, HVAC, ventilation, appliances, safety devices, and controls pass functional checks

Critical item

Owner-safe operation and qualified commissioning evidence should demonstrate intended function without leakage, fault, unsafe heat, abnormal noise, or control problems.

Keys, remotes, codes, accounts, labels, manuals, warranties, filters, spare materials, and maintenance instructions are transferred

The owner should be able to operate, isolate, maintain, and request service for every major system.

Open deficiencies, correction timing, access, escrow or payment treatment, and verification are written before closing

Critical item

No material deficiency should depend solely on an informal promise after leverage changes; resolution must follow applicable contract, lender, title, and legal requirements.

Use near substantial completion and as close to closing as the agreement permits, with enough time to document corrections. A walkthrough is not a substitute for an independent whole-home inspection, title or lender review, permit final, appraisal, or specialist testing. Do not enter unsupported excavations, walk incomplete framing or roofs, open energized equipment, operate pressurized systems without authorization, or interfere with required inspections. Use qualified inspectors and licensed trades for inaccessible, structural, electrical, gas, mechanical, environmental, or life-safety conditions.

Reference standards

  • Approved plans and specifications, signed purchase or construction agreement, selections and allowances, adopted state and local codes, permit and inspection conditions, authority having jurisdiction requirements, builder warranty documents, utility requirements, qualified design, and exact product manufacturer instructions
  • Closing statement and lender or title requirements, certificate or authorization for occupancy where applicable, final permit records, commissioning reports, manuals, warranty registrations, and approved selections

    • Tools

  • Current plans, specifications, selections, contract, change orders, permit records, inspection approvals, and warranty documents
  • Camera, flashlight, tape measure, level, outlet or fixture test tools used only where owner-safe, and dated location-based photographs
  • Written deficiency log with location, controlling document, responsible party, correction evidence, and release decision

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