So I got this idea for a fun little post. Being that in the coming months we are going to get a huge influx of new neighbors, I figured we can put together a great list of things to watch out for when they do their move-in walk-through.
This list is cool because it will be a “custom tailored” list composed of items current Soco Walk residents found during their walk-throughs (or months after).
Feel free to comment and add to the list. I’ll start it off:
1. Check that your front door(s) all close and lock and open easily.
2. Carefully look at the walls from every angle. Make sure there are no scratches, dings, or uneven paint/texturing. Look out for huge cracks too.
3. Make sure all the screws are properly installed on each step of the stairs.
4. Check the finishing around the handrails. It probably will be rough.
5. Check around the a/c ducting where it connects to the walls. Make sure the finishing isn’t rough.
6. If applicable, carefully walk the carpet and feel for any lumps underneath, especially around the walls and the closet floor rails. Don’t be suprised if underneath there are nails, newspapers, or construction debris.
7. Check underneath the edge of the counters on the island. Make sure they are painted/finished properly.
8. You probably won’t check, but if you can look above the cabinets in the kitchen. You might get lucky and find a lost hammer like I did. Otherwise, they should be properly cleaned.
9. Check for dings and scratches on the tub and shower enclosures.
10. Check all the bedroom and closet doors function properly.
Well, there is so much more but that is all I can come up with. I remember hearing horror stories from other neighbors, so if you are out there, please let us hear your stories/tips.
Have fun and welcome to the neighborhood!
Tags: walk-through
July 11, 2008 at 11:37 am
haha…man where do I start.
11. Make sure your closets in the bedrooms are the correct size. Three months after I moved in I happen to notice that my master bedroom closet was smaller than the second bedroom. I went to the model to check it out and realized something shocking. Since I bought the reverse plan (reverse of the model), everything should be opposite. But the closets weren’t. It turns out that during construction they reversed everything but the closets and the wiring (see next)!
12. Make sure your pre-wired cable is wired correctly. It had been so long since I picked my options, I didn’t even notice that the wrong media jacks were put in the rooms. Not until I went to wire cable and internet did I notice that the wiring was wrong. I thought it was just a careless error, then when I discovered the closets, I realized what had happened.
13. Make sure you island counter was the correct length. It turns out that when the cabinet guys gave the counter guys measurements for the counter top, they were wrong. They were only 6 in. short, but it made the counter look funny. I brought it up in a walk-through with my rep, and he said he thought it might be because I didn’t choose a certain option, be would check. He was wrong, they screwed up, and it was another two weeks of construction people in and out of my home, disturbing my life.
14. Make sure your electrical sockets are mounted correctly. I didn’t notice until I started using them, but when I go to plug something in, the whole unit behind the faceplate gives way and flushes into the wall.
15. Check for caulking around the base of your A/C unit in the closet. They didn’t seal it, and it was blowing cold air inside the closet, wasting my energy.
I think that’s it for what sticks in my head. There really is so much. This was my first home and nobody helped me out during my walk through. Next time I am going through with a fine comb. I may even hire a contractor for the day to come with me.
I’ve heard other people have some other crazy stories too. Stuff like when they removed the bathroom mirror, there was a giant hole behind it.
Hope this helped.
August 2, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Thank you
August 19, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Hi. My boyfriend and I are moving in next month and we’re scheduled to do our walk through next week. I’m bringing a copy of this blog with us and we’re going down the list of all suggested items to check for. Thank you so much for this blog as we are first time home buyers and have no idea of what to look for. I hope to meet you soon.