The Walkthrough Checklist Builders Hope You Don't Have

The final walkthrough is the last moment when items you find still have leverage — the builder hasn't been paid in full and your motivation to close hasn't yet overpowered your eye for defects. Most owners do the walkthrough as a 45-minute glance-over and check that the lights work. Then move in, find dozens of issues over the first weeks, and discover the warranty process is slower and more contested than they expected. Spend four hours. Use a real checklist. Document everything. Here's how.

Before you walk — the prep

• Schedule the walkthrough 3–5 days before closing, not the day of
• Get a copy of the final punch list from your builder — the items they know need attention
• Bring: the original plans, this checklist, a phone for photos and video, a notepad, a tape measure, a level, a flashlight, and a phone charger to test outlets
• Bring a second person — spouse, designer, friend — a second set of eyes catches what you miss
• Allow 4 hours minimum on a 4,000+ sq ft home; 6 hours on larger homes
• Plan to revisit specific items between walkthrough and closing

Exterior walkthrough

• 1. Siding: no gaps, no cracks, no missed caulking, properly painted
• 2. Foundation: no visible cracks, no exposed footing or rebar, grade slopes away from house
• 3. Roof: from the ground (or with a drone if available) check for damaged or missing shingles/panels, proper ridge cap, valley flashing, clean lines
• 4. Gutters: properly secured, draining away from foundation, no sags or gaps
• 5. Downspouts: extending at least 6 feet from foundation
• 6. Windows: each one opens and closes smoothly, locks engage, screens present and intact, no glass scratches
• 7. Exterior doors: open and close cleanly, weatherstripping intact, deadbolts engage smoothly
• 8. Garage doors: open and close, openers work, weather seals intact, keypad and remotes provided
• 9. Exterior light fixtures: every one works, no exposed wires or missing covers
• 10. Exterior outlets: GFCI tested at every outlet, weather covers intact
• 11. Hose bibbs: every one functions, no leaks, vacuum breakers in place
• 12. HVAC condensers: level, properly secured, no debris around them
• 13. Driveway: no cracks, proper slope, joints sealed
• 14. Walkways and patios: no cracks, no trip hazards, proper joint sealing
• 15. Landscape: irrigation system tested, drainage from downspouts away from beds, grass laid and watered

Interior walkthrough — every room

Walls, ceilings, and trim (every room)

• 16. Paint: no roller marks, no missed spots, no overspray on hardware
• 17. Walls: no dings, gouges, or damage from construction
• 18. Ceilings: no cracks, no texture inconsistencies, no debris
• 19. Crown molding and baseboards: tight miters, no gaps at corners, proper caulking
• 20. Door trim: clean miters, properly stained or painted
• 21. Outlet and switch plates: straight, flush, matching style throughout

Doors and windows (every one)

• 22. Every interior door swings cleanly, latches properly, no rubbing
• 23. Door hardware works: knobs, levers, hinges, strike plates
• 24. Every window opens and closes; locks engage; screens fit
• 25. Window grids (if specified): present and properly installed
• 26. No visible scratches in glass or finish

Floors (every room)

• 27. Walk every square foot looking for: gaps, squeaks, lippage in tile, scratches in wood, damaged transitions
• 28. Carpet: no visible seams, no loose spots, no stains from construction
• 29. Tile: no cracks, no missing grout, proper grout color uniformity
• 30. Wood: no significant scratches, finished consistent, transitions to other floors clean
• 31. Floor vents: present, clean, properly seated

Kitchen

• 32. Cabinets: every door and drawer opens, closes, aligns properly, no chipped paint or stain
• 33. Cabinet hardware: present, secure, aligned
• 34. Drawer slides: smooth, full-extension, soft-close engaged
• 35. Countertops: no chips, no cracks, properly sealed if stone, edges polished consistently
• 36. Backsplash: no missing grout, tiles aligned, transition to counter clean
• 37. Sink: drains properly, no leaks visible, basin without scratches
• 38. Faucet: functions, hot/cold correct, no leaks at base
• 39. Garbage disposal: runs, no leaks, no unusual noise
• 40. Dishwasher: cycle runs, no leaks, racks operate smoothly
• 41. Refrigerator: cool and freeze, ice maker connected and producing, water filter in place
• 42. Range/oven: every burner ignites, oven heats, vent hood operates at all speeds
• 43. Microwave: operates, vent (if vented) works
• 44. Pantry: doors operate, shelving level, lighting functional

Bathrooms (each one)

• 45. Toilet: flushes, doesn't run continuously, no rocking or movement, no leaks at base
• 46. Sink: drains, no leaks, faucet operates with proper hot/cold
• 47. Shower: water pressure adequate, hot/cold consistent, no leaks at door seal
• 48. Tub: fills, drains, no leaks
• 49. Tile: no cracks, no missing grout, even color, properly sealed
• 50. Vanity: drawers operate, hardware secure, top properly seated and sealed at wall
• 51. Bath fan: operates and is appropriate volume
• 52. Mirror: properly secured, no defects
• 53. Towel bars and accessories: securely mounted (check blocking)

HVAC

• 54. Thermostat works in heating and cooling; both modes verified
• 55. Every register has airflow at appropriate volume
• 56. Return air grilles unobstructed and operating
• 57. Filter access points easy to reach; filters in place and clean
• 58. Equipment in attic / mechanical room properly installed, accessible, labeled

Electrical

• 59. Every outlet works (test with phone charger or outlet tester); GFCI outlets test and reset properly
• 60. Every switch operates the right fixture (and you understand what each switch does)
• 61. Every light fixture works; no flickering, no buzzing
• 62. Smoke and CO detectors all tested and operating
• 63. Doorbell works
• 64. Smart home controllers responsive; passwords and credentials transferred to you

Document everything

Every defect, every concern, every question — photograph it with location reference, write it on the punch list, and have the builder acknowledge it in writing. Don't accept verbal commitments to fix — get them in writing with dates. Don't close on the home until the punch list is either complete or until you have written agreements for items that will be addressed post-close (with retention or escrow).

The post-walkthrough re-walk

Schedule a re-walk 24–48 hours before closing to verify the punch list items are complete. Bring your original list. Photograph each completed item for your records. Items still incomplete: discuss with builder — either delay closing, retain additional funds, or get written commitments with dates.

The hand-off documents

At closing, you should receive:

• Operating manuals for every appliance and major system
• Manufacturer warranty information for appliances, HVAC, water heater, roofing, windows
• Subcontractor list with phone numbers (your roofer, plumber, electrician, HVAC contractor)
• Paint colors and finish specifications (for future touch-ups)
• As-built drawings (drawings updated to reflect actual construction)
• Smart home credentials, admin passwords, app login info
• Septic / well documents (if applicable)
• Permits and Certificate of Occupancy
• Builder warranty document (typically 1 year on workmanship, longer on structural)

If any of these is missing, your file is incomplete. Get it before you close or your future-self will be searching for these documents at 11 PM during a water heater leak.

The bottom line

The walkthrough is your last leverage moment. Don't rush it. Don't trust verbal commitments. Don't close before the punch list is done or retainage is held. Future-you (the one tracking down a leak nine months later) is depending on present-you to do this right.

— Margaret Larsen, COO. Eighteen years guiding clients from first conversation through groundbreaking — budgets, contracts, permits, financing. Get the free Ultimate Home Building Checklist for the field-tested list we walk every Angel home through.