UPDATED: Apr 21, 2023
When considering if they should buy a house, some potential home buyers decide that building a new home is the way to go. Building a home can be an exciting yet extensive process. Before you move in, it’s important to inspect your home. To ensure you move into a finished home with no damages or faults, you’ll need to complete a blue tape walkthrough.
We’ll explain the steps and tell you everything you need to know to ensure a thorough blue tape walkthrough is conducted on your soon-to-be home.
A blue tape walkthrough is an important part in the home building process that gives the buyer an opportunity to check the home. During this walkthrough, the buyer will meet with an on-site worker and the builder’s agent or customer service representative to identify any improvements that need to be made to the home before it is ready to be lived in. A blue tape walkthrough typically occurs 3 – 4 weeks from a home’s final completion date and is one of the final steps of a new home build.
The buyer and the builder representatives will walk through the home, pointing out any areas that are incomplete or need additional work or repair. Each item identified by the buyer and builder representatives will be marked with a piece of blue painter’s tape, which is where the name “blue tape walkthrough” comes from.
There are many reasons something could be marked with tape during the walkthrough, but the most common callouts are small cosmetic flaws, including scuffs on a wall, chipped paint or cracks in the tile. More serious issues identified during a blue tape walkthrough are incorrect installations or missing outlets.
Once the house has been inspected and everything is marked, the builders will agree to fix each issue. The builders and buyer may also discuss other matters of business such as home warranties and final expectations.
Another common walkthrough that occurs during the home buying process is a final walkthrough. This is one of the key differences between the processes for buying and building a home. A blue tape walkthrough is for new construction homes that are being moved into for the first time, while most home buyers will have a final walkthrough regardless of whether the home is new.
The final walkthrough gives buyers an opportunity to ensure nothing has drastically changed with the condition of the house during the home buying process. Final walkthroughs are done in the last days leading up to closing.
As someone who is having a home built from scratch, you may want to consider having a blue tape inspection checklist with you during your final walkthrough. This will help make sure you don’t miss any issues. With that in mind, here’s our recommendation for a new construction walkthrough checklist, taking into account the interior and exterior of your home.
The interior of your house will most likely have more items on your new construction walkthrough checklist than the exterior. Here’s what we think you should take a double look at:
Even if there are fewer items on the exterior checklist, checking the exterior is equally as important. As you admire your front and back yards, make sure to also inspect these items:
If you find any issues during the walkthrough, they should be reported to the builder to ensure an on-time move-in date. As mentioned before, there will be a final walkthrough days before the closing date to ensure the builder fixed any and all issues. If they don’t, it’s not that uncommon, but any outstanding problems will need to be addressed before you’re able to move into your home.
As you prepare for your home’s blue tape walkthrough, having a checklist is critical. Be observant and make sure you don’t miss anything. It’s also important to understand that it’s okay for some things not to be completely finished, but if that’s the case, remember to keep note of those issues for the builder to fix. As you prepare to be a homeowner, be sure to learn more about the final steps of the home buying process.
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