New Home Build Checklist for Canadian Families

Pre-construction (months −6 to 0)

• Confirm budget with 15% contingency for overruns and upgrades
• Get mortgage pre-approval for a new build (progress-draw vs completion)
• Choose lot: zoning, setbacks, servicing, soil test, grading plan
• Interview 3 builders; check references, warranty coverage, and licensing
• Review plans: room sizes, ceiling heights, window count, storage
• Have a lawyer review the purchase/builder agreement before signing
• Confirm what's included: appliances, landscaping, driveway, deck

Selections + allowances

• Book design-centre appointments before the structural-change cutoff date
• Get the allowance schedule in writing for flooring, lighting, and fixtures — and what happens if you go over
• Track every selection in one document: item, room, brand/model, cost, allowance, overage
• Check lead times on special-order items (cabinetry, imported tile, appliances) against your closing date
• Get every verbal upgrade agreement turned into a signed, priced change order
• Confirm exterior colour and material selections against the neighbourhood's architectural guidelines

Permits + site preparation

• Building permit, plumbing, electrical, HVAC — confirm builder pulls them
• Development charges + lot levies paid
• Erosion / silt control installed before excavation
• Utility locates called (call before you dig)
• Excavation, footings, foundation waterproofing + weeping tile
• Backfill and drainage confirmed before framing

Framing + rough-in stage

• Walk the framed structure — confirm room dimensions match plans
• Verify window and door rough openings are in the right locations
• Confirm stair placement and headroom
• Add nailing blocks for grab bars, towel bars, and curtain rods, and seal the ground-level perimeter against pests, before it's closed in
• Plumbing rough-in: shower valve heights, tub locations, drain lines, garage floor drain, frost-free hose bibs
• Ask your plumber about tankless vs. boiler, a whole-home leak detector (e.g. Moen Flo), and battery-backup vs. water-powered sump backup
• Electrical rough-in: outlet count per wall, switch locations, structured wiring runs, dedicated freezer/garage-fridge circuits, whole-home surge protection
• Wire for smart blinds, a home network/server cabinet, and both gas and electric at appliance locations you might switch later
• HVAC rough-in: register locations, return-air placement, ERV/HRV, shielded thermostat wire, and routing that avoids a condensate pump where possible
• Rough in site utilities while it's already dug up: sprinkler line, French drains, a yard hydrant, and power/gas/sewer to a shed if you're building one
• Insulation type + R-values match code + energy report

Pre-drywall walkthrough (critical)

• Walk with the site supervisor — bring plans and this list
• Photograph every wall cavity (locations of studs, wiring, plumbing)
• Confirm blocking behind toilets, grab bars, TVs, and range hoods
• Add extra outlets, data drops, or lighting — last chance without cost
• Confirm bathtub / shower pans tested for leaks
• Verify smoke + CO detector wiring per code
• Sign off in writing before insulation goes in

Finishes + Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI)

• Cabinets, counters, flooring, tile — inspect for damage before sign-off
• Test every switch, outlet, faucet, appliance, HVAC mode
• Open/close every window and door; check locks and screens
• Look for drywall pops, seams, paint touch-ups, caulking gaps
• Confirm all keys, remotes, manuals, and warranties handed over
• Note every deficiency on the PDI form — this is your warranty starting point
• Ontario builds: understand the Tarion 30-day, year-end (12-month), and second-year (24-month) claim windows

Closing + move-in

• Final walkthrough day of closing
• Utilities transferred: hydro, gas, water, internet
• Update address: CRA, driver's licence, insurance, banks
• Change locks or re-key on day one
• Test smoke + CO alarms; note the model + battery date
• Photograph every room at move-in for insurance baseline
• File the PDI form + register warranty (Tarion or provincial equivalent) within the deadline

Practical tips

• Visit the site once a week during framing — mistakes are cheapest to fix when the wall is still open.
• Keep every email and change order in one folder. If it isn't in writing, it didn't happen.
• Never waive the pre-drywall walkthrough. That single hour prevents 10 years of 'I wish I'd added an outlet there'.
• Treat every allowance as a minimum, not a budget — flooring and lighting are the two categories buyers go over most often.

Frequently asked questions