The wait is almost over. Before you get the keys to your new home, you’ll usually have an opportunity to walk through it with your builder. This may happen the same day as possession, or a week or two prior.

You may hear this called a pre-possession walkthrough, possession inspection, occupancy inspection or new home orientation.

Whatever your builder calls it, this walkthrough has two important purposes:

  1. Take a close look at your completed home and document anything that is damaged, missing, incomplete or not working as expected.
  2. Learn how your new home works, including its heating, ventilation, plumbing, electrical and other important systems.

There can be a lot to take in. Use this guide to help you know where to focus.

Before your walkthrough

Give yourself enough time.

A new-home walkthrough should not feel rushed. Depending on the size and features of your home, it may take a few hours to go room by room and learn about the home’s systems.

Whenever possible:

  • Attend the walkthrough yourself.
  • Avoid scheduling another appointment immediately afterward.
  • Bring your phone so you can take photos and notes.
  • Have your purchase agreement, specifications or upgrade list available if you need to confirm what was included.
  • Bring the questions you want to ask your builder.
  • Use a checklist so you can work through the home systematically.

Your builder may have their own walkthrough form. Make sure you understand how outstanding items will be recorded and how you’ll receive a copy.

Part 1: Look closely at your new home

Start with the things you can see, touch and test.

You aren’t expected to be a construction expert. Your goal is to carefully observe your home and flag anything that appears damaged, incomplete, missing or not functioning properly.

Walls, ceilings and finishes

Look around each room in good lighting.

Check:

  • walls and ceilings for visible damage
  • paint and other finishes
  • drywall and trim
  • baseboards and mouldings
  • interior doors and hardware
  • stairs, railings and handrails

Pay particular attention to damage such as dents, chips, scratches or stains. It is much easier to document that these existed before you moved in when they are recorded during the walkthrough.

Floors

Walk across the flooring throughout your home and look for visible damage or incomplete areas.

Depending on your home, check:

  • hardwood or engineered flooring
  • vinyl or resilient flooring
  • carpet
  • tile
  • transitions between flooring types

Look for scratches, chips, cracked tiles, damaged carpet or other noticeable concerns.

Cabinets and countertops

Open the cabinets and drawers in kitchens, bathrooms and other built-in areas.

Check that:

  • doors and drawers open and close
  • hardware is installed
  • countertops are not visibly damaged
  • cabinet finishes are complete
  • sinks and surrounding surfaces appear properly finished

If your purchase included specific finishes, upgrades or features, this is also a good time to confirm they are present.

Windows and doors

Open and close accessible windows and doors.

Check:

  • windows open, close and lock
  • screens are installed where expected
  • exterior doors open, close and latch
  • interior doors operate normally
  • door hardware is installed
  • glass and frames are not visibly damaged

Some adjustment can be normal as a new home settles and experiences seasonal changes. If you’re unsure whether something meets Alberta’s new-home construction standards, the Construction Performance Guide for New Home Warranty in Alberta can help explain how common concerns are evaluated.

Plumbing fixtures

You don’t need to perform a plumbing inspection, but you can operate the fixtures you would normally use.

Try:

  • faucets
  • sinks
  • tubs
  • showers
  • toilets

Look for obvious leaks, damage, missing components or fixtures that don’t operate as expected.

Ask your builder to show you the location of your home’s main water shutoff and any other shutoffs you should know about.

Electrical features

Test the items you’re able to operate safely, such as:

  • light switches
  • installed light fixtures
  • exhaust fans
  • doorbells
  • garage door controls, if applicable

Ask your builder about important electrical features in your home, including your electrical panel and GFCI-protected outlets.

Your walkthrough is not an electrical safety inspection. Alberta’s permitting and safety-code inspections are separate from your pre-possession walkthrough.

Appliances

If appliances were included with your home, check them for visible damage and confirm they are installed.

Ask your builder about:

  • appliance manuals
  • manufacturer warranties
  • registration requirements
  • who to contact if an appliance isn’t working properly

Appliance and manufacturer warranties are different from your new home warranty, so keep the paperwork provided to you.

Part 2: Learn how your new home works

Don’t spend the entire walkthrough looking for scratches.

One of the most valuable parts of your new-home orientation is learning how to operate and maintain the systems that keep your home comfortable.

Today’s homes are designed to manage heat, fresh air and moisture differently than homes built a generation ago. Proper operation and regular homeowner maintenance matter, especially in Alberta’s climate. Your new home warranty also assumes that the home is properly maintained. If routine maintenance is not performed, some warranty coverage may not apply.

Ask your builder to walk you through the systems that apply to your home.

Heating and ventilation

Ask how to operate and maintain your:

  • furnace or heating system
  • thermostat
  • HRV or ventilation system and their controls
  • bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans
  • air conditioner, if included
  • humidifier, if included

Find out:

  • which filters need to be changed or cleaned
  • how often maintenance is recommended
  • how to adjust ventilation settings
  • how to manage indoor humidity during Alberta’s changing seasons

Controlling moisture is particularly important in a new home. New construction materials can contain moisture, and everyday activities like cooking, showering and drying clothes also add moisture to the air. Understanding your ventilation system can help you manage condensation and indoor humidity, helping maintain a comfortable indoor environment and reducing the effects of excess humidity in the home.

Water and drainage

Ask your builder to point out:

  • the main water shutoff
  • exterior hose connections
  • floor drains
  • sump pump and sump pit, if applicable
  • backwater valve, if applicable
  • other plumbing equipment that requires homeowner maintenance

If your home has a sump pump, ask how to check that it is operating and what maintenance is expected.

Outside your home

Weather and seasonal construction can affect what you’re able to review before possession.

When conditions allow, look at accessible exterior areas including:

  • exterior doors and windows
  • siding, stucco, masonry or other finishes
  • decks, stairs and railings
  • driveways and walkways
  • exterior fixtures
  • grading and drainage features that have been completed

Some exterior work may be scheduled for later because of Alberta’s weather. Landscaping, concrete, final grading or other seasonal items may not be complete when you take possession.

Ask your builder to clearly identify what is still outstanding and when it is expected to be completed.

If snow, ice or other conditions prevent you from seeing part of the exterior, ask how those areas will be reviewed later.

Important note: New heating and hot water equipment is designed to provide reliable performance, but unexpected problems can still happen from time to time. If an urgent issue arises, emergency contact information is typically located on the equipment or in the documentation provided with your home.

Part 3: Document outstanding items

If you see something that needs attention, document it clearly.

Avoid vague notes like:

“Floor damaged.”

Instead, record something specific:

“Scratch approximately 15 cm long in hardwood flooring beside kitchen island.”

For each item:

  • describe the concern
  • note its location
  • take a photo when helpful
  • make sure it appears on the builder’s walkthrough documentation

Review the final list before you sign it and keep a copy for your records.

Ask your builder what happens next, including:

  • who your contact will be
  • how outstanding work will be scheduled
  • how you’ll report something you discover after moving in
  • whether the builder has scheduled follow-up service periods

What if you notice something after you move in?

Your pre-possession walkthrough is important, but it doesn’t replace your new home warranty.

Some construction defects aren’t readily visible during a walkthrough and may only become apparent after you’ve lived in your home.

Alberta’s mandatory new-home warranty provides minimum coverage for:

  • 1 year: labour and materials
  • 2 years: delivery and distribution systems such as plumbing, electrical, heating and ventilation
  • 5 years: building envelope
  • 10 years: major structural components

Your policy provides the details of your coverage, including applicable limitations and exclusions.

If you discover a concern after possession, document it and review your warranty information. Contact your builder first and, if appropriate, your warranty provider.

What’s the Construction Performance Guide?

Not every imperfection in a new home is considered a construction defect.

Homes are built from many different materials, and some variation, movement and change can happen as materials dry, seasons change and the home is lived in.

The Construction Performance Guide for New Home Warranty in Alberta (CPG) provides recommended minimum performance expectations for new homes and guidance on many issues commonly identified during the first few years of a home’s life. However, the CPG isn’t a complete list of every possible construction defect. If an issue isn’t listed, that does not automatically mean it isn’t covered.

Before you take the keys

Before your walkthrough ends, make sure you know:

  • What outstanding items have been documented?
  • Who do I contact if I have questions after possession?
  • How do I submit a service request to my builder?
  • Who is my new home warranty provider?
  • When does my warranty coverage begin?
  • Where can I find my warranty documents?
  • How do I make a warranty claim, and when to contact the builder’s warranty team vs my third-party warranty provider?
  • Where are my home’s main water shutoff and electrical panel?
  • How do I operate my heating and ventilation systems?
  • What regular maintenance does my home require?
  • Is any seasonal or exterior work still outstanding?

Then keep your walkthrough records, warranty documents, manuals and maintenance information together somewhere you can easily find them.

Your pre-possession walkthrough isn’t about knowing everything there is to know about construction. It’s about taking the time to look carefully, ask questions and start your first day as a homeowner knowing a little more about the home around you.

We’ve got you covered, every step of the way.

Want to keep learning? Check out our homeowner resource page!