Things to Look for…

Your builder will likely start the inspection inside the home and proceed from room to room.

When examining ceilings, walls, doors and windows you should check for obvious defects such as gouges, cracks and dents on finished surfaces. Doors should be well-fitted, evenly joined around the outside, top and bottom. Locks should be well installed and not rattle when the door is closed. Drywall should have no noticeable seams or evidence of nail pops.

Walk along floors to ensure there are no excessive squeaks or spring. Subfloor joints should not show ridges around tiles.

Flush toilets and turn on water taps to check water pressure and temperature. Check the caulking and grouting around tiles and tubs for gaps and cracks. Check tubs and sinks for any scratches in the finishes.

If appliances are part of your purchase package, make sure that the builder gives you the instruction booklets and individual warranty packages for them.

Locate the switches for ventilation and circulation fans normally found near the thermostat. Also, ensure that the fans in the bathrooms and in the kitchen are operating properly. Ask your builder to show you where they vent on the exterior of the house.

Outside, check that the brickwork and masonry are free of cracks and the doors and windows are properly caulked. Open and close the garage door to make sure that it does not stick.

Print out your copy of the New Home Inspection Checklist and you are ready to go.

New Home Inspection Checklist…

This checklist can be printed from your browser or saved to your computer for future reference.

Exterior

Grading
	Grounds are graded with a gentle slope away from the house to direct rain and melted snow into the drain system.
	If the house has a basement, check the window wells for gravel and ensure they are cleaned out.
Swale
	Some lots require shallow runoff trenches (swales) to help collect and drain water. Swales should be even and of a regular slope.
Sod
	Sod should be rolled after it is laid
Siding
	Siding should be nailed securely to the walls.
Caulking
	All window and door frames should be caulked where the frame meets the wall of the house.
Painting
	Inspect the paint to ensure there is good coverage on the exterior surfaces and all trimwork.
Exterior Trim
	Wood trim should have a minimum of knots and be securely fixed.
Brickwork
	Vertical and horizontal mortar joints between the bricks should be completely filled. Weep holes at the bottom of the brick and above windows and doors should be free and unobstructed.
Windows
	Windows should open and close properly. Make sure there are no cracked panes and that all appropriate screens are in place.
Roof Ventilation
	Weatherstripping should be installed securely.
	Air vents should be situated as close as possible to the ridge of the roof.
Shingles
	Shingles should lie flat with no corners lifting.  They should extend over the roof edge by approximately 2 cm, and over the edge of the fascia board at the eavestroughs.
Gutters and Downspouts
	If your house comes with eavestroughs and downspouts, ensure that they are installed securely.
	Check to ensure that drainage of downpipes is directed away from the house, walkways and driveways.
Garage
	Garages must be gas proofed. The walls and ceiling of an attached garage that are common with the interior of the home, should be sealed to prevent the passage of gas fumes from the garage to the interior.   Although there are different ways to accomplish this, builders typically sheet the common walls with gypsumboard and seal the joints.
	If there is a door from the garage to the house, ensure that an automatic closer has been installed and that the door closes properly.
Driveways
	If your driveway is to be paved, the builder may wait until the entire subdivision has been completed.

Interior

BASEMENT
	Check for signs of water penetration in the basement walls.  The basement floor should slope gradually toward the floor drain.
	Floor drains should be in the lowest part of the basement.
	Floor joists should be made of sound lumber. Joists spanning more than 2.1 metres should have bridging between them unless an engineered flooring system has been used.  check for insulation and vapor barrier in the joist spaces. There should be double joists directly beneath the bearing partitions on the floor above and around stairway openings.
	Check the furnace and hot water heater for general damage, capacity, shut-off mechanisms, and the type of filtering systems.
Doors
	Doors should be well-fitted and operate as intended.
	Locks should be well-installed and should not rattle when the door is closed. There should also be a door stop.
Floors
	There should be a minimum of squeaks and a minimum of spring when the floor is walked on.
	Subfloor joints should not show ridges around tiles. Wood flooring should have a certain amount of deflection. Any other floor coverings should have a flat surface.
Carpeting
	Examine seams in carpets and vinyl sheet goods to ensure they are tight.
	Inspect carpeting for stains or shade variations.
Hardwood
	Check the finish for any large scratches or gouges. Check the floor for any excessive gaps or cracks in the flooring.
Ceramic
	Joints between ceramic tiles should be well fitted with grout.
Painting
	Check to ensure that the colour you requested was applied and that all finishes are free of dents and scratches.
Plumbing Fixtures
	Check for chips in the porcelain or vanity top covers. Faucets should work properly.
	Faucets and shower heads should be caulked. Turn on the faucets and taps to ensure that hot water is hot and cold water is cold.
	The top of the tub should be level. See if water will run off the ledge of the bathtub onto the floor.
	Caulking around the tub and between the tiles should be complete.
Interior Finishes
	Inspect the wall finishes for uneven paint coverage or shadowing through the wall material.  Check banisters and pickets to ensure they are securely fastened and smooth to the touch with no rough edges, chips or gouges.
Cabinets
	Cabinets should be well secured to the wall.
	Check the operation of the doors and drawers and ensure all handles (door pulls) are installed.
	Check the surface and countertops for noticeable scratches.
Closets
	Doors should be secure as well as open and close easily.
KITCHEN
	Check for damage to countertops, cupboard doors, sinks and appliances.
	Cabinet doors should be aligned properly.
	The space allotted for your appliances should be correct.
	Test the range hood fan and light.
	Make sure there are electrical outlets above the counter.
Fireplaces
	If your home has a fireplace ensure that the damper and vents work. If you have a gas fireplace ask for instructions on how to operate it.
Heating
	Check that heat registers are not covered by carpeting and not located below a thermostat.
	Make sure the damper is open and works freely.
	Check the location and number of cold air returns and make sure they are free of obstruction.
	Check the furnace and hot water heater for general damage, capacity, shut-off mechanisms and type of filtering systems installed.
	Review the operations of your heating system
	Locate the furnace filters and ask about their care.
Electrical
	Check all outlets and electrical fixtures for operation.
	Locate the main electrical panel for your home and review the functions of each breaker switch and fuse.
	Ask the builder how to test the ground fault circuit interrupter that every new home is equipped with.
Mechanical Ventilation
	Locate the switches for ventilation and circulation fans.
	Locate supplementary fans and switches in each bathroom or in the kitchen and ensure they are operating.
	Ensure that you understand how to achieve proper ventilation in order to avoid condensation problems which may not be covered under warranty.
Upgrades and Options
	Make sure that all pre-selected upgrades and options have been installed.
	Inspect the ceramic tiles for surface cracks.
	This information has been presented for your convenience. Please visit the Ontario New Home Warranty Program website for complete information and many more new home resources.

2000 Ontario New Home Warranty Program