A foundational aspect of our business is the relationship between builder and buyer. From the very first steps of choosing a lot and designing a custom home through move-in day and your first year of ownership, we believe in working side-by-side with our clients throughout the process. Transparency is healthy. We don’t like surprises during the building process, and we don’t spring them on our clients.
A key aspect of this transparency happens when we hand you the keys: The Walk Through.
Rest assured – that big day is not the first time you’ll be seeing your new custom-built home. When we hit certain milestones, like laying the foundation or are in the framing process, you’ll be invited out to see your new home taking shape. As we check off our regulatory inspections for things like plumbing and electrical, we’ll want you to see that. If it any point during the build you want to see the progress we’re making, simply give us a call. We’ll make certain someone is there to walk you through what’s happening and what comes next.
But what do you look for when you do that “final” walk through?
At this point, your custom home should be move-in ready. All of the lights and fixtures are in place, as are the appliances. All of the systems – plumbing, HVAC, etc. – have been tested. The home has been cleaned, all construction materials removed, and the landscaping is done.
Your first inspection is visual. Your paint colors, flooring, and finishes should be what you’ve chosen and free from flaws.
In each room, flip on the light switches, and turn on any faucets. Do the lights work as designed and is the water flow clean and with appropriate pressure?
Your appliances should also be in working order. As you tour your new home, run each through a cycle, and check for leaks on washing machines and dishwashers.
Make certain each of your windows and doors open and close properly and check the locking mechanisms.
Turn on your HVAC system to make sure the heating and air conditioning are working. Likewise, check any ceiling fans.
Bring something easy to plug in, like a phone charger, to test wall outlets throughout the home.
A big part of this walk through is educational. We’ll walk you through the operation of all of your systems, and show you the locations of things like power and water shut-offs. We’ll talk about regular cleaning and maintenance recommendations, and easy trouble-shooting tips should you feel something is awry.
We’re going to walk the exterior of the home. Check outdoor spigots, electrical outlets, any paving or decking installed, and especially your chosen landscaping.
Should any issues be discovered, we’ll have a detailed list of things to be addressed immediately. Building a custom home is a complicated task, and there’s going to be something. Most of these “punch list” items can be corrected in a matter of days.
But we won’t be done. There are certain things that you may not discover until you’re actually living in the home. Seeing your new home for the first time can be overwhelming, and it’s not until you settle in and are living there that you can really take a critical look. Keep a list. We’ll arrange a date around 30 days after that initial walk through to meet with you and address any new issues you’ve discovered. We’ll do this again after you’ve been there for about a year.
We’re proud of what we do, and especially our commitment to quality and craftsmanship. But we’re not above a few simple mistakes. Your walk through will show you how much we value our promises, and make certain that you’re pleased with your new custom home and happy that you’ve chosen Creative Home Concepts.