Before You Close on Your New Grand Junction Home, You Will Do a Walk-Through With The Builder.
The walk-through provides an opportunity for you to make note of items which may need to be corrected or adjusted before you sign the final papers. This is also when you will learn about the operation of the home’s components. The builder will educate you on how to operate things, your responsibility for maintenance, warranty coverage and procedures. With the purchases of a Grand Junction home, you will be receiving many instruction booklets all at once. The builder will take the time to show you how to operate all your new appliances and systems.
Most new homes come with a one year warranty on workmanship and materials. However, warranties do not cover problems that develop because of a failure to perform required maintenance. Most builder provide a booklet explaining common upkeep responsibilities of new home owners and how to perform them. Something I have seen new homeowner do that voided their warranty was change the drainage of the yard when they planted trees and shrubs. Be very careful about that and if in doubt consult with a professional landscaper and give him a copy of your plans.
If a warranted problem arises after you move in, the builder will have a set of warranty service procedures to follow. Except for emergencies, requests for service should be in writing so that everyone clearly understands the problem. Usually it is a member of the builder’s staff that will receive the request, so you don’t want to rely on verbal conversations for your service order.
Builders usually prefer you make a list of settlement cracks, nail pops and incidental items so they can be addressed all at once near the end of the first year.
All of the walk-through’s I attended with my buyers and the builders has been very professional. The superintendent has a check list he follows for each room, all the components, appliances etc. On the walk-through’s we went from room to room inspected the walls, paint, baseboards, trim and hardware. The superintendent wrote down anything we felt was not acceptable. Typically the new-home walk-through’s are done at least a week or 10 days before the closing to give the builder time to get the subcontractors back in to correct the items before closing.
The builder’s I have worked with took care of everything to my buyer’s satisfaction. Ask a lot of questions during the walk-through and take notes on the answers. Never be afraid to ask too many questions, that is how you learn. The walk-through will be a positive learning experience and enhance the enjoyment of your new Grand Junction home.
