What should I check at my new-home PDI with the builder?

Updated October 2026 · By Gerardo Lucero, Certified Professional Inspector (CPI)

How the PDI works, in one minute

The PDI is a walk-through led by the builder's representative shortly before you get the keys. You or your designate must attend; if someone else signs for you, the builder needs Tarion's Appointment of Designate form. You can bring an expert. The builder must also explain how the heating, electrical, plumbing and air conditioning systems work.

Anything damaged, incomplete, missing, inaccessible or not working, plus any unauthorized substitution of finishes, goes on the PDI form. You sign it and get a copy. You'll also get a Certificate of Completion and Possession (CCP) with the home's Tarion enrolment number and the possession date, which is when your warranty starts.

The PDI checklist

Outside

• Brick, stone and siding: chips, cracks, missing mortar, gaps at corners and openings.
• Caulking around windows, doors and penetrations.
• Grading sloping away from the house, downspouts and splash pads in place.
• Driveway, walkway and front steps; any damage from construction equipment.
• Exterior doors, garage door and screens.

Floors, walls and ceilings

• Scratches, dents or gaps in hardwood, laminate and tile; cracked tiles; uneven transitions.
• Drywall dents, nail pops, visible seams and paint misses (shine your phone's light along the wall at a low angle).
• Squeaks or soft spots when you walk the floors and stairs.
• Trim and baseboards: gaps, splits, missing pieces.

Kitchen and bathrooms

• Countertops and cabinets: chips, scratches, doors and drawers that close and line up.
• Faucets, toilets and showers: run them, look for leaks below sinks.
• Mirrors, tubs and shower glass: scratches or chips.
• Caulking at tubs, showers and backsplashes.

Windows and doors

• Open, close and lock every window and door.
• Scratched glass, torn screens, broken seals.
• Interior doors that rub, swing on their own or don't latch.

Basement, mechanical room and garage

• Any water stains or dampness on the foundation walls or floor.
• Furnace, water heater and ventilation equipment installed and labelled; ask the builder to show you the filter and controls.
• Electrical panel labelled; smoke and carbon monoxide alarms present.
• Garage floor and walls, and the door between the garage and the house.

Tips for the day

• Write everything down, even if the builder promises to fix it before closing.
• Photograph each item; Tarion also suggests photographing items you couldn't assess.
• Compare finishes with your purchase agreement and upgrade list.
• Don't rush. If time runs short, note what wasn't checked.

As a carpenter who has framed and finished GTA homes since 2009, I pay close attention to the things buyers often miss: doors and trim that are out of square, squeaky subfloors, stairs, and gaps that point to framing or installation shortcuts. My new-home and Tarion inspection costs the same as the property type: condo $450, mid-unit townhouse $500, semi or end unit $550, detached $600.

After you move in

Items not fixed by move-in go on Tarion's warranty forms. The Initial Form opens the day after possession and is automatically submitted on day 41, the Mid-Year Form on day 183 and the Year-End Form on day 365. After that come the Second-Year Form and, up to seven years, major structural defect claims. Many owners book a second inspection before the first-year deadline.

For the resale version, see my final walk-through checklist. Book your PDI inspection here.

Sources

• www.tarion.com
• www.tarion.com
• tarion.com
• tarion.com

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