31. Finishing

Your homebuilder has been finishing your home since day zero.  Getting your home ready for you to take posession started when you sat down with your Sales Consultant and picked a plan. Finishing your home is, along with frame punch, as we have discussed the most difficult phase of construction.  At every step along the way we have punched the work, we have had building inspectors, engineers, and you on your planned builder - buyer interactions in the form of frame walks, lot walks, etc., look at the work and workmanship.  When all meters and inspections are complete or in a stage of completion your homebuilder will conduct a 'QA' inspection.  Homebuilders use various names for this inspections, but basicly it is a Quality Assurance Walk to insure the home is up to the homebuilders standard of completion prior to having you scheduled for your 'Introduction to the Home'.  Remember your 'Final Walk' should not be a punch-out session, it should be a true introduction to how everything works and to go over your warranty information.  If your home is not ready for you to walk - DON'T.  I know sometimes it seems like we do not have a choose, but the worst thing you can do is take possesion of an incomplete home.  Once you move in you are at the homebuilders mercy.  When you close on your home you are saying it is acceptable and complete.  Once closed, your home goes under the homebuilders warranty program and policies.  Somtimes that can mke getting construction correction made a little more difficult.  When you sign your closing papers in the details you are saying you have no agreements with your builder and/or construction manager that are not represented in your closing documents.
Once your QA,(homebuilders quality assurance walk) is complete you are ready for your Buyer Intro Walk.  You will more than likely start in the kitchen, there are two reasons for this, one is that  you have a place to sign all of the paper work and write, second,  this is where the most 'stuff ' needs to be checked out.  Most CM's place all of your manufacturers warranty manuals in the kitchen draws and if you think about it the kitchen has the most to go over. Remember when you do your walk to spend the most time in the places that have things, like kitchens and baths.  Look in your closets and open and close every door and cabinet. Don't forget to check the tops and bottoms of doors for paint and take a stool so you can check the top shelves in your pantry and closets.  Spending a little time now will make you and your homebuilder happier in the future.  Your homebuilder does not like customer service and you shouldn't either, especially if it is something that should and could of been caught and corrected during the construction process.  Do not foget to spend some time outside looking at the exterior of your home and your sod and landscape.  Walk your fence and check it for nailing.  Most of all 'ASK QUESTIONS'.  Every question you have should be answered or you should be told when an answer can be given to you.  Your home is built for life and you should fall in love with it every day.