DENVER REAL ESTATE | COLORADO LIFESTYLESThe short answer
Use a new-build final walkthrough to compare the finished home with the contract, documented selections, inspection follow-up, and promised completion items. Test accessible features with the builder’s permission, learn how systems operate, and record unresolved work in writing. It is not a substitute for an independent inspection or legal review of whether the home is ready to close.
Bring the documents that define the home
Have the selection sheet, plans, change orders, inspection report, repair responses, and any punch list available. Compare the actual installation with what was agreed, including appliances, fixtures, finishes, and room features. Mark discrepancies clearly and photograph them where appropriate. A furnished model or an earlier verbal conversation is less useful than the final written specification when deciding whether a feature is missing or different.
Check operation as well as appearance
Ask for demonstrations of heating and cooling controls, water shutoffs, electrical panel labeling, ventilation, appliances, and other equipment. Open accessible doors and windows and observe visible finishes, drainage, and exterior work. Do not attempt unsafe tests or operate unfamiliar equipment without guidance. Record model numbers, manuals, and service contacts. Understanding the home’s basic operation is part of taking possession, especially when systems differ from your previous house.
Review incomplete and corrected work
Revisit inspection findings and ask how completion has been verified. Distinguish cosmetic items from conditions requiring specialist evaluation or affecting occupancy. If work remains, ask your advisors how it should be documented and whether closing should proceed under the contract. Do not assume a verbal promise or informal sticky-note list creates an adequate remedy. Identify the responsible party, expected timing, access arrangements, and follow-up process in writing.
Organize the handoff
Collect keys, remotes, access credentials, warranties, maintenance instructions, and relevant approvals or completion documents. Confirm utility transfer and the claim process for issues discovered after moving in. Photograph the property’s condition and retain the final written list. A careful walkthrough helps establish what was delivered and what remains, while independent inspections and professional advice address questions beyond the walkthrough’s scope.
Your decision checklist
- Bring final selections and change orders.
- Recheck inspection repair items.
- Learn shutoffs and system controls.
- Document unresolved work and responsibility.
- Collect warranties, manuals and access items.
Common questions
Should I sign that everything is satisfactory if work remains?
Read any acknowledgment carefully and ask your advisors about its effect. Document unresolved items accurately before signing.
Is a walkthrough a technical inspection?
No. It is a delivery and condition check. Use qualified inspectors or trades for technical concerns outside that scope.
Sources & further reading
Sources checked for this guide on October 28, 2026. Reporting periods and effective dates are identified where relevant; linked agencies may update their pages.
- Federal Trade Commission: Warranties for new homes — 2026-10-28
Official source consulted October 28, 2026; verify property-specific documents and current schedules before relying on them.
- CFPB: Finding the right home and new construction considerations — 2026-10-28
Official source consulted October 28, 2026; verify property-specific documents and current schedules before relying on them.
- Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, Title 12, section 12-10-408.5 — 2026-10-28
Official source consulted October 28, 2026; verify property-specific documents and current schedules before relying on them.
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