What a final walkthrough is and why it matters

The final walkthrough is your last review before you take the keys. The house should be complete, clean, and ready. You are not doing a full technical inspection at this visit. You are confirming that agreed work is done, systems run, and finishes are in good shape. A calm, methodical pass protects your budget and sets clear expectations with the builder.

When to schedule and how long to plan

Book the walkthrough as close to possession as you can. Aim for daylight hours. Plan 90–120 minutes for a typical home. Bring a phone for photos, blue tape for marking small touch-ups, a notepad, and any prior inspection reports or builder lists. Wear shoes with grip; some areas may still be dusty.

What to bring on site

• Phone with camera and flashlight
• Blue painter’s tape for quick marks
• Notepad or notes app with your punch list
• Small level and a tape measure
• Outlet tester (optional but handy)
• Copy of the contract, selections, and earlier reports

Start outside: site drainage and exterior shell

Water control comes first in Calgary. Walk the perimeter slowly.

• Grading: soil should slope away from the walls. No low spots where meltwater can sit.
• Downspouts: extensions present and pointed away from the house by a few meters.
• Siding and trim: no cracks, gaps, or missing sealant at corners and around penetrations.
• Windows and doors: caulked, flashings neat, weep holes open.
• Decks and steps: solid feel, tight rails, even rises.
• Garage door: opens and reverses when meeting a 2x4 laid flat under the door.

Roof and attic from what you can see

You may not go on the roof, and that is fine. Look for signs you can confirm safely.

• From ground level: straight ridge lines, intact shingles, tidy flashings at walls and chimneys.
• From the attic hatch: even insulation, no daylight where there should be none, dry roof deck, clear soffit paths.

Entry and common areas

Open and close the front door. It should latch smoothly and seal without rubbing. Check interior doors as you move room to room. Keep your pace steady and your notes short.

Windows and doors room by room

• Windows open, close, and lock without force.
• Weatherstripping sits tight; no daylight at corners.
• Patio doors slide cleanly and lock. Screens present and intact.
• Glass is clear with no scratches or fog between panes.

Electrical checks that take two minutes

• Lights switch on in every room; dimmers do not flicker.
• Kitchen, bath, garage, exterior, and laundry have GFCI protection and it trips and resets.
• Smoke and CO alarms are installed where required and test with the button.
• Panel labeling is clear and matches major rooms and appliances.

Plumbing basics: run water with purpose

• Run every sink, tub, and shower on hot and cold. Check for steady flow and proper drainage.
• Look under each sink while water runs. No drips at traps or valves.
• Flush each toilet. Tanks fill and stop. No base leaks or rocking.
• Water heater shows correct venting, no rust streaks, and set temperature is reasonable.

HVAC and ventilation

• Furnace starts, runs, and stops on command. No odd smells or loud rattles.
• Thermostat responds within a minute or two.
• Bath fans move air you can feel at the exterior hood.
• Range hood vents outside and captures airflow well at low and high settings.
• Registers and returns are open and not painted shut.

Kitchen: function before finishes

• Appliances are installed, level, and run a short test (bake preheat, dishwasher quick cycle start, range burners fire evenly).
• Cabinet doors and drawers align and close fully. No rub marks.
• Countertops are secure with clean seams and no chips.
• Backsplash is fully grouted and caulked at edges.

Bathrooms: water and safety first

• Showers run hot for a few minutes with no leaks at glass, corners, or the valve trim.
• Tile is solid underfoot with no hollow taps in wet zones.
• Caulk lines are continuous at tubs, showers, and counters.
• Fan switches on and sounds smooth, not grinding.

Floors, stairs, and rails

• Floors feel firm with no soft spots or loud squeaks.
• Transitions are smooth and tight.
• Stairs have even rises and treads. Rails and posts are tight.

Paint and trim

• Walls and ceilings free of large roller marks or drips.
• Trim caulked where it meets walls; nail holes filled and touched up.
• Closets painted and shelved as agreed.

Laundry and mechanical spaces

• Washer valves present, labeled hot and cold, and capped if not in use.
• Dryer vent runs to exterior and is not crushed or overly long.
• Floor is clean and clear around furnace and water heater.

Garage and fire separation

• Drywall joints sealed at walls and ceiling where required.
• Door to house self-closes and latches.
• Attic access in the garage (if present) fits tight with no gaps.

Basement and foundation signs

• Perimeter walls dry to the touch, no fresh efflorescence or damp lines.
• Sump pit (if present) has a working pump and discharge route to the exterior.
• No plumbing leaks at exposed lines or main shutoff.

How to mark and track items

Use blue tape for small paint touch-ups and alignment tweaks. For anything more than cosmetic, take a photo, note the room and wall, and add a short line: “Primary bath, shower glass leaks at lower hinge,” or “Bed 2 north window drags.” Group your list by system: exterior, roofing, windows/doors, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, finishes. Short, precise notes get better results than long paragraphs.

Common pushbacks and how to respond

• “That is normal settling.” Ask for a clear timeline for repair if the crack grows or a plan to monitor.
• “We will send someone later.” Ask for a date and the trade name. Add it to the list with a target week.
• “Snow blocks the roof.” Accept the limit, then request a spring roof review date in writing.

Warranty items to log now

Many builder warranties have a short list at 30 days and a bigger list at one year. Start your folder today. Save the final walkthrough list, photos, emails, and any repair invoices. If you had a pre-drywall or pre-possession inspection, keep those reports with the same file. A tidy record helps you get service later with less stress.

What counts as urgent before you take keys

• Active leaks or missing safety devices (smoke/CO alarms)
• Major appliance not installed or not running at all
• Doors or windows that do not lock
• Gas smells or clear electrical faults

Ask for these items to be handled before possession or for a clear, near-term plan with dates. Everything else can live on the punch list with fair deadlines.

How to keep the tone calm

Be firm and polite. Focus on facts, not blame. Show a photo and a one-line request. Thank the site lead as you move room to room. People do better work when the meeting stays respectful. You want a home that lives well, and the team on site wants a clean handoff. Shared goals make the list go faster.

Simple homeowner checklist you can save

• Walk the exterior: slope, downspouts, seals, decks, garage door reverse.
• Roof/attic: quick attic peek, even insulation, dry deck.
• Windows/doors: open, close, lock, seal.
• Electrical: lights, GFCIs, alarms, panel labels.
• Plumbing: run all fixtures, check drains and traps, flush toilets.
• HVAC/vents: furnace runs, bath fans vent outside, range hood pulls well.
• Kitchen: appliance quick tests, cabinet and counter fit.
• Baths: tile solid, caulk complete, glass sealed.
• Floors/stairs/rails: solid, even, tight.
• Paint/trim: clean lines, filled holes, tidy touch-ups.
• Laundry/mech: valves labeled, dryer vent correct, clear floor space.
• Garage/fire: self-closing door, sealed joints, tight hatch.

After the walkthrough

Send a clean copy of the list by email the same day. Attach photos. Ask for target dates on each item and a point of contact. When items are done, do a short re-check if needed. Keep all notes in your warranty folder. On move-in day, you will have fewer surprises, and your first year will feel smoother.

The payoff

A steady final walkthrough saves time and money. Doors latch, fans vent, drains run, and small paint fixes get handled before furniture arrives. You start life in the home with a short, organized list and clear dates. That is the goal: a new place that looks great and works right from day one.