How to Inspect Your New Condo and Avoid
Problems/Arguing Later
Check
everything, the obvious and the not so obvious. Take extra pens,
paper, paper clips and LOTS of brightly colored sticky post-its,
a level, a flashlight and a small appliance to check all of the
electrical outlets. (a cell phone charger works well).
Make a check list on the computer with a place to tick off each
item, to make sure that you don't miss anything. tick them off
as you go. It seems tedious, but it will save you a lot of time
later on in having to arrange appointments with trade people to
get things fixed up. Maintain your focus, don't get distracted
from the task at hand, by the view or the pretty girl or
whatever.
Check every inch of dry wall in every room. The paint will be
thin, insist it be resprayed if it is. Put a sticky on each
imperfection, especially any seams. Feel free to write specific
instructions of the sticky notes.
Check every inch of the ceiling. There will be dings and
scratches, these must be fixed. Check every inch of carpet. Get
down on your hands and knees and crawl around. Use the
flashlight. Check the baseboards for scratches and nicks. Check
all other moldings, including around the doors and fireplaces
etc. If there is a fire place, put your level on it. It must be
straight. Also check the metal part is straight.
Check all tiles for scratches, tap on every tile, you can use
the edge of a coin such a nickel or a quarter works well to tap.
Areas with inadequate thin set will sound hollow. These must be
fixed, after walking on them enough times without enough
underneath, they will crack. There will not be enough caulking
around anything. Insist everything be caulked adequately,
especially in the bathroom.
Stand in the tub and check every tile, all grout, and again
caulking. Get down on your hands and knees and tap every tile.
Stick your head behind the toilet and check for holes and that
painting has been completed.
More caulking will be required around all faucets, and the base
of the toilet and the sink and the tub. Turn on the faucets,
flush the toilet. Turn on tall lights, check all electrical
outlets. Check that they work and that all the faceplates have
been put on straight (level).
Check that all fans are working. They should be able to suck up
one piece of flat paper from 1 inch away and hold it there.
Stand in the closets and check the drywall with a flashlight,
have they all been painted?
Eyeball all of the walls, Are they straight? Put a piece of
paper in the corners and check that 90 degree angles are 90
degree angles.
Stand across each from your friend in both N/S and E/W
directions and then switch places, to try and ascertain if there
is any slope to the floor.
Check all tubs, sinks and counters for cuts and scratches.
Workers put things in/on them and then drag them across rather
than lift them up, leaving scratches. Check marble/granite
countertops for stains or chips (may be cleverly concealed with
a bit of paint) Use the level liberally.
Check underneath the counters on the cabinets for adhesive that
has leaked and not been cleaned properly, it will look like
cloudy or clear film.
Check the appliances for scratches, especially stainless steel.
These small scratches cannot be repaired (no matter what they
say) insist on a replacement. Pull the fridge out (carefully)
and check for dent/scratches on the sides. Turn all the
appliances on (except the fridge) it won't be plugged in or
probably even assembled yet.
Check the cabinets carefully for straight doors, missing
shelves, firmly attached handles, drawers that slide easily.
Again, your level is essential here.
Check all the blinds, do they work easily? Are any of the slats
bent or damaged?
Go out on the balcony, check that there isn't mess out there.
Caulking, adhesive all over the place. Make sure the door slides
easily and the door are level and meet well, with no gaps and
are easy to lock and unlock (doors fit properly).
Check all windows for cracks. Check that all windows that are
supposed to open actually do, and that the latches work easily
and there is a good seal.
Take at least one extra person with you as a witness and
strength in numbers, if they try and bully you out the suite
before you are done. Be super sweet, but insistent. There will
not be enough room on their deficiency sheet. Insist they
include your hand written list of things that aren't on their
sheet before you sign anything. (Attach with paper clip) and
write on 1st page 1/2 and 2nd page 2/2 or 1/3 etc if 3 or more
pages.
You can do some quick measurements for furniture etc., but that
shouldn't be your main focus.
All of this should take 2 people at least an hour for a 500-600
sq ft apartment.
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