The first year

Moving into a new home is a great experience. Both you and your builder have worked hard to arrive at this point, and now it’s time to enjoy the rewards. As you get ready to settle into your new surroundings, it’s a good idea to review the processes that will help to ensure that your rst year in your new home is a truly satisfying experience.

Outstanding items

The pre-delivery inspection of your home by you and your builder may have identified minor items to be corrected or completed after you move in. Typical items include small touch-ups, missing finishing products due to delivery delays or things that cannot be completed due to the weather. These items should be listed on the Certificate of Completion and Possession, signed by you after the inspection, and then forwarded to the builder’s warranty program. Discuss with your builder how and when you can expect these items to be dealt with.

After-sales service

What happens if a problem emerges after you take possession? Make sure you are familiar with your builder’s after-sales service process in detail. What’s covered by warranty during the rst year and what’s not? In subsequent years? Who is your key contact? Does the builder schedule regular follow-up calls during the rst year when you can discuss any accumulated work, or should you contact the company as the need may arise?

Also, you should have an idea of the response time you can realistically expect. Outside of the rare emergency requiring immediate attention, a builder may have to arrange service calls around construction schedules as well as the availability of subcontractors. The vast majority of service calls are dealt with professionally, within a the hom the third backs th to resolv required

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reasonable timeframe and to eowner’s satisfaction. If needed, d-party warranty program, which he builder’s warranty, can step in ve any dispute and ensure that the

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rst-year changes w home typically experiences some ut of materials and settling during year, which may result in minor s. This is completely normal, does cate a defect in your home and not be a cause for concern. changes are related to moisture, as materials used in the construction of your home continue to dry out. For instance, drywall may develop nail pops or hairline cracks, or small shrinkage cracks may appear in basement walls or garage floors. Occasionally, hardwood flooring may develop a few squeaks as the wood dries out; however, it is important to remember that solid wood products, from floors to doors, will continue to contract and expand throughout the lifetime of your home, in response to humidity levels inside and out.

Talk with your builder about any changes that might occur, and how to best deal with them.

Source: Canadian Home Builders’ Association