A Guide to Blue Tape Day for a New Construction Home

The Blue Tape Walkthrough for Your New Home

You’ve possibly spent months (if not years!) working through all the details of your new build – every finish, fixture, piece of flooring, wall color, etc. You may have spent countless hours researching designs and gone through a million and one ideas. No matter how long or short, easy or difficult your journey has been, it all culminates in one of the most important parts of the entire construction process – the BLUE TAPE WALKTHROUGH!

Also known as “Blue Tape Day,” this is your final inspection of your new home and your opportunity to mark – with blue tape – any issues or flaws you observe that need to be fixed before closing. Keep in mind though, you won’t find everything that needs to be corrected, and that’s okay! Your home is custom-built, so you can’t expect 100% perfection, but what you can expect is that any concerns you note will be addressed by your builder before you move in. Plus, most new homes come with a warranty, so you’ll likely still be able to have issues resolved even after closing.

To make sure your blue tape walkthrough goes as smoothly as possible, follow these tips on how to prepare, what to bring with you, and most importantly, what to look out for!

Preparing for Your Blue Tape Walkthrough

MAKE TIME

Set aside plenty of time (at least two hours) for the walkthrough. This is not a day to feel rushed or pressured to quickly inspect the home. Take as much time as you need. If you have any concerns about how much time you can allocate in one day, consider visiting the home a few days before the official walkthrough and begin marking issues then.

MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS

This should be a calm, quiet time when you can put all your focus into the inspection. If possible, schedule the walkthrough when no workers are present, and don’t bring children, pets, family, and friends. However, it could be a good idea to bring one family member or friend who isn’t as familiar with the house since they will have a fresh perspective and possibly pick up things you might overlook.

PREPARE YOUR CHECKLISTS

Included below are examples of the types of checklists you’ll want to print and bring with you (email me and I can send you more detailed lists!). Make sure to review these in detail prior to the walk though, bring your house plans to compare against the finished product, and note any issues you may have noticed earlier in the construction process to ensure they’ve either been fixed or will be included on the final punch list.

BE DETAILED

Do whatever you need to do to make sure the builder understands the issue. Take photos and/or videos, include detailed notes on your checklists, and even write directly on the tape.

Items to Bring

• Your contract and house plans – Have a copy of your contract and house plans on hand so you can refer to them as you go through the property and make sure the actual home matches up to what was agreed to.
• Your inspection checklists – Print off detailed checklists for every room and feature of your home. There are checklists for EVERYTHING. Windows, doors, flooring, heating & A/C, light fixtures, you name it. If you’re unsure, reach out and I can help.
• Blue tape – Your builder may provide this, but it’s still a good idea to bring your own so that you have enough.
• Something to take notes – Pen and paper or your smartphone to write down everything you notice.
• Something to take pictures – The camera on your phone should be more than sufficient, but you can also bring an actual camera if you prefer.
• A flashlight – To see under sinks and any other less-well-lit areas.
• An outlet checker – To ensure all outlets are working correctly, you can either purchase an outlet checker from your local hardware store or bring a cell phone charger.
• A sharpie – To write notes on the tape.
• Tape measure – To confirm various dimensions are correct.
• A small level – To check that flooring, cabinets, and any other aspects are level.

What to Expect After Your Blue Tape Walkthrough

After you’ve completed your walkthrough, give your builder a list of all the issues. Whether it’s copies of the inspection checklists, a separate list with detailed notes, photos, video, or all of the above, you want to make sure for your benefit and the builder that everything is properly documented.

Once your builder has reviewed the list, have a conversation with the builder to understand the process for resolving the issues, whether certain things won’t be corrected (e.g., something that isn’t actually a flaw or wasn’t part of the house plans), and timing for when you can complete another walkthrough to inspect the repairs.

It’s entirely possible that the extent of the issues could push back your closing date. If you want or need to move in before the builder can complete everything, you might also have the option to hold funds in escrow that the builder can’t receive until the punch list items have been fully completed.

The Bottom Line

The blue tape walkthrough will help you identify any problems or cosmetic issues that should be corrected before closing on your new construction home. It’s your chance to make sure the home is in as pristine condition as possible before you move in. Even if you conduct the most thorough walkthrough, it’s critical to also hire a professional inspector to evaluate the structural integrity and safety of the home and to work with an experienced Realtor who can serve as a resource and guide throughout the construction process.