Blue Tape Walkthrough Advice From a Contractor {Free Checklist}

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As my husband is an experienced contractor and I am a digital marketer, I usually turn to him for advice on the subject our readers will be interested in learning about regarding their new home construction. When I stumbled upon the keyword BlueTape Walkthrough in my keyword research and told him we would write a friendly guide to the blue tape walkthrough for new home construction, He said UGH, builders HATE how blue tape walkthroughs are completed. So, I suggested we write a Contractor’s Guide to a Modern Day Blue Tape Walkthrough with advice from a contractor on the best way to handle this process. 

Understanding the Blue Tape Walkthrough

Understanding the blue tape walkthrough is crucial for you as a homebuyer. It occurs after the major construction phases are completed but before you take ownership of the property. During this walkthrough, you will assess the finishes, from paintwork to flooring, inspect the installation of fixtures, and review the general craftsmanship throughout the house. It’s your chance to communicate with the builders to correct any imperfections, ensuring that everything in your new home is according to plan before the final transition of keys.

The Basics of a Blue Tape Inspection

What is a Blue Tape Walkthrough?
During a blue tape walkthrough, you, along with your real estate agent, if you have one, and the builder’s representative, go through the home and mark areas that need attention or correction. This inspection is typically held within the last few weeks before the home’s completion and gets its name from homeowners using blue painter’s tape to mark any areas that they think need to be corrected. 

Who’s Involved?

• Home Buyers: You’re central to this process, ensuring your future home meets your expectations.
• Builder’s Representative/Builder’s Agent: Provides expertise on construction standards and addresses your concerns.
• Real Estate Agent: Acts as your advocate and ensures you don’t overlook details.

Purpose of Blue Tape Day

• Ensure workmanship quality
• Highlight incomplete areas or necessary repairs
• Provide a visual reminder for follow-up walkthroughs

What you should do instead of using blue painter’s tape in this digital age. 

My husband says using blue painter’s tape is so 1980s. Too many things can happen between the time of placing a piece of tape on a wall and the time the builder comes to see what needs attention. What if the tape falls off the item? My husband suggests taking pictures with your cell phone of the area needing discussion and typing up the requests to send to your contractor. This way there is a record of the request and no miscommunication can occur between the General Contractor and their SubContractors.

Blue Tape Walkthrough Versus Final Walkthrough

Blue Tape Walkthrough

• Occurs 3-4 weeks from the completion date.
• Allows time for builders to correct marked issues.
• A proactive, detailed approach to home inspection.

Table: Distinctions Between Blue Tape and Final Walkthroughs

Feature	Blue Tape Walkthrough	Final Walkthrough
Timing	Weeks before completion	Typically on the day of or day before closing
Focus	Identifying and marking issues	Confirming all issues have been addressed
Participation	Active-making notes of changes	Observational
Outcome	List of fixes needed	Verification of a move-in ready home

Final Walkthrough

• A final verification step before closing.
• Ensures the builder has addressed all previously marked areas.
• A follow-up to the blue tape walkthrough: it is your last opportunity to ensure everything is up to par before taking ownership.

Preparing for the Walkthrough

As you approach the final stages of purchasing a new home, a Blue Tape Walkthrough represents one of the last opportunities to identify any issues. This process ensures your new home meets your standards before finalizing the purchase.

Role of a Real Estate Agent

Your real estate agent is a pivotal figure during the walkthrough. They can advise you on what to look out for, and they help ensure that any items needing correction are documented and agreed upon to be fixed by the builder, pursuant to the terms of your purchase contract. Utilizing their experience is essential, especially if you are a first-time homebuyer.

Final Walkthrough Checklist for Potential Buyers

Potential buyers, as you prepare for the walkthrough, here is a checklist to help you stay organized and focused:

Exterior:

• Check for any incomplete work or materials that don’t meet the agreed-upon specifications.

Flooring:

• Inspect all flooring for damage or defects that require repair.

Systems and tools:

• Test all electrical and plumbing systems to confirm they function correctly.

Windows, walls, and ceilings:

• Examine these areas for proper installation and finish, looking for any cracks or gaps.

Doors:

• Ensure each door opens and closes smoothly and sits properly in its frame.

Attic or Basement:

• Verify these spaces are clean, sealed, and meet your expected standards.

Kitchen and Bathroom:

• Review all fixtures, appliances, and finishes for quality and operation.

Remember, most fixes during a Blue Tape Walkthrough are typically easy fixes that the builder can address before you move in. Coming prepared with a list of items to check can streamline the process. Your buyer’s agent should accompany you to advocate on your behalf and assist with any negotiations stemming from the walkthrough findings.

Conducting the Blue Tape Walkthrough

Before you embark on a blue tape walkthrough of your new house, understand this is your opportunity to pinpoint issues for repair by the builder—typically a few weeks before closing.

Identifying Common Issues

Familiarize yourself with common concerns such as cosmetic issues, safety hazards, and water damage as you move through the property. Look out for:

• Cosmetic Issues: Scratches or dents in floors and walls, uneven paint jobs, or improperly finished surfaces.
• Safety Hazards: Loose handrails, faulty smoke detectors, and improper electrical wiring.
• Water Damage: Signs of leaks in the ceilings, around windows, and under sinks.

Document any major issues such as structural faults or significant defects that could impact the integrity of the home.

Evaluating Systems and Appliances

Thoroughly test systems and appliances, even those that may seem minor, to ensure they are in prime condition:

• Appliances: Run the dishwasher, test the stove, and check the garbage disposal.
• HVAC: Confirm the heating and cooling systems are responsive and effective.
• Plumbing: Inspect faucets for leaks, ensure toilets flush properly, and that there’s adequate hot water.
• Electrical Systems: All lights should operate, and GFCI outlets must function correctly.
• Outdoor Systems: Operate the sprinkler system and ensure exterior lighting works.

Remember to open and close all doors to ensure proper fitting, and pay attention to the importance of inspecting the attic and basement.

Understanding Your New Home

When embarking on a Blue Tape Walkthrough, your focus should be on assessing both the structural integrity and cosmetic aspects of your new house, as well as verifying that all utilities and safety features are in place and operational.

Structural and Cosmetic Details

Inspecting the structural elements of your new home is crucial. Examine the window frames to ensure they are correctly installed, and sealed, and demonstrate no signs of damage. Check that interior doors open and close smoothly and that the front door provides a secure entry with proper sealing for both safety and efficiency.

For cosmetic inspection, pay attention to paint colors to confirm they are correct and consistent. Look for any areas in need of a touch-up. Curb appeal is also important; make certain that the exterior of the house meets your expectations in terms of finish and appearance.

Utilities and Safety Features

The home construction process includes the installation of various utilities. Verify that electrical outlets function by using a small electrical device like a phone charger. Check that there is access to cold water from all taps and that the water pressure meets your needs.

Safety features are paramount. Conduct radon tests if applicable to ensure your home’s air quality is safe. It is also wise to review the privacy policy and any security systems installed to protect your personal data and physical safety.

Post-Walkthrough Steps

After the blue tape walkthrough, your focus shifts to finalizing the corrections of noted issues to ensure your new home meets your standards before moving in.

Addressing the Punch List

Once the walkthrough is complete, you and the builder’s representative—be it the builder’s agent or an on-site foreman—will have compiled a punch list. This list includes:

• Major Defects: Any significant issues that can affect the usability or safety of the home.
• Minor Adjustments: Small fixes, such as paint touch-ups or fixing a loose doorknob.

It is crucial to prioritize this list, ensuring major defects are addressed first. Your home inspector can assist in verifying the completion and quality of the work. Once the items on the list are resolved, you can move forward with more confidence in the quality and readiness of your new home.

Scheduling Follow-up Walkthroughs

Following the initial walkthrough, follow-up walkthroughs may be necessary. These are scheduled to:

• Check Completed Work: Verify that all items on the punch list are addressed to your satisfaction.
• Assess Ongoing Issues: If some issues couldn’t be resolved immediately or are part of a warranty claim, further inspections ensure they are not forgotten.

Schedule follow-up walkthroughs ahead of your move-in date, allowing time for additional corrections if needed. Communication with your builder’s agent or buyer’s agent during this phase is essential to maintain clear expectations and a record of agreed-upon fixes.

Frequently Asked Questions about New Construction Final Walkthrough 

In this section, you’ll find targeted answers to common queries related to blue tape walkthroughs, which are a critical part of the new construction process.

What should I look for during a new construction walkthrough?

During a new construction walkthrough, you should inspect finishes, fixtures, and installations for defects or incomplete work. Look for issues such as paint blemishes, improper fitting doors, and flooring defects.

What is the purpose of placing blue tape on walls in a walkthrough?

The history  of placing blue tape on walls during a walkthrough is visibly marking areas where work may be unfinished or defects need repair. It acts as a clear indicator to the construction team of specific spots that require attention, however, my contractor suggests using your cell phone to take pictures of the needed areas and compile notes to send as the blue tape can fall off easily and lead to confusion. 

Can you explain the typical process of a builder’s walkthrough?

The typical process involves a thorough inspection of your new home with the builder. You’ll check for cosmetic and operational issues. You’ll discuss timelines for repairs and your move-in date expectations.

Are there any checklists available that can help during a construction walkthrough?

Yes, we have a Punch List available for download to help you during your construction walkthrough. 

What are some common issues identified during a blue tape walkthrough?

Common issues can include paint overspray, scratches on surfaces, misaligned fixtures, and incomplete installations. A detailed examination of each room detects these and are generally fixable before the final move-in.