Every homebuilder handles the construction process a little differently, so even if you’ve bought a new home before, you may be wondering what walk-through opportunities you’ll have with a Richmond American home. In this article, we’ll give you a general overview of the three meetings you’ll typically have onsite after we’ve broken ground on your new home—plus some tips on how to make the most of your time at these appointments.

The pre-drywall/electrical walk-through

Once the home has been framed and wired, buyers get a tour of what’s installed behind their home’s walls, including the electrical features and low-voltage options they chose at the Home Gallery™ or the Sales Center. Together with the construction superintendent, they’ll go room by room to confirm that the options they chose—from additional outlets and ceiling fan pre-wiring to electric vehicle charging stations and security systems—have been added.

Duration: Varies from 20 minutes to over an hour, depending on the size of the house and the complexity of the options chosen

Attendees may include: Homebuyers, their real estate agent, the construction superintendent and the sales associate (please, no children, pets or additional guests)

Tip: Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes with closed toes. Pre-drywall homes are active construction sites, so be prepared to wear a hard hat and get muddy!

New home orientation walk-through

Held about one week before closing day, this appointment is all about giving homebuyers the information they’ll need to enjoy and properly care for their new home. The superintendent or Home Care specialist’s orientation may include:

• Demonstrating how to operate and maintain the home’s HVAC system, water heater and thermostat
• Showing buyers where the emergency water cutoff is and how to use it
• Explaining how to care for flooring, tile, countertops and other selected home surfaces
• Going over the breaker box location and contents
• Providing info on any included security features, home theater connections, smart home devices or other home technologies, including the home’s radon mitigation system (if present)
• Teaching buyers how to use and maintain the lawn’s irrigation system (if present)
• Reviewing warranty documents and the process for submitting emergency and non-emergency claims

In addition, buyers get information about what’s covered by the home’s warranty and what to expect regarding post-closing follow-up care.      

Duration: Approximately two hours

Attendees may include: Homebuyers, their real estate agent (optional), the construction superintendent, a Home Care specialist and the sales associate (again, no children, pets or additional guests, please)

Things to bring: It’s a great idea to bring some way of taking notes, plus a camera and a permanent marker. What’s the marker for? Some buyers use it to label paint cans with what the paint was used for (trim, door, interior wall, exterior, etc.) if they’ll be provided; others note the HVAC filter size on the filter’s access panel. It’s also smart to take photos of things you’ll want to remember: paint labels in case the cans are later misplaced or discarded, the labels and legend in the breaker box in case they fade over time, settings on systems, etc.

Tip: Focus on the big picture at this meeting. While there may be various items (large or small) that still need to be done around the home before closing day, it’s important to not get distracted from the purpose of the walk-through: learning all about the home and how to keep it looking and working its best for years to come. If you get caught up in noting paint touchups, you may miss instructions on how to register for manufacturers’ warranties on your appliances or what to do to keep your granite countertops sealed and protected.      

Closing walk-through

There’s just one last walk-through before buyers are handed the keys to their brand-new home! Typically about an hour and a half to two hours before their scheduled closing, they’ll do a final tour with the superintendent and/or Home Care representative. Together they’ll review and sign off on any work items that have been addressed since the last home progress update. If some work is still pending, such as delayed installations due to supply chain issues, that will be noted in writing and the superintendent will continue to follow up.  

Duration: Approximately 30 minutes

Attendees may include: Homebuyers, their real estate agent (optional), the construction superintendent, a Home Care specialist and the sales associate

Things to bring: All your Closing Day excitement and a camera to commemorate this special event!