A PDI checklist is critical for examining your nearly complete condo. Once your pre-construction condo is ready for occupancy, you’ll be asked to come in for a pre-delivery inspection (PDI). It’s during this time that you’ll see your condo for the first time which is a very exciting phase of your pre-construction journey. You may be thrilled to see how shiny and new it all is, but there are many things you should be looking at during this first visit.
The main purpose of the pre-delivery inspection (or PDI) is to make note of anything in your new home that is damaged, missing, incomplete, or that cannot be inspected at the time.
Neither this checklist nor the PDI form which your builder completes is considered by Tarion to be a valid request for warranty service. If any items are not resolved by the time you take possession of your new home, you may report them to Tarion using the applicable warranty form.
We’ve done hundreds of PDI’s on behalf of clients who have purchased pre-construction properties and we’ve seen it all. Best case is there are only a handful of deficiencies that need to be noted, and on the worst-case scenario, we’ve seen 75+ deficiencies noted. This may seem scary but it’s very rare that the builder won’t address all of these prior to your occupancy date.
We put together a great checklist of items to look at when doing your PDI – have this handy should you have one coming up soon.
Pre-Construction Condos: Your PDI Checklist
General Condo Interior
- Are there any dents in the walls?
- Is the paint job done to your satisfaction?
- Are there any nails or screws sticking out of the walls?
- Were all of the lighting fixtures installed properly?
- Do all the light switches work? (Turn them on and off!)
- Do all the outlets work? (Bring a phone + phone charger or a hairdryer to try them all.)
- How does the flooring look? Are there any scratches or dents in the hardwood?
Kitchen
- Does the faucet run both hot and cold water?
- Does the sink drain quickly and with no leaks?
- Do the cupboards/drawers open/close properly?
- Were all the upgrades and options you selected installed?
- Are all of the manuals for appliances there for you to reference?
Bathroom
- Do the faucets run both hot and cold water?
- Does the tub fully drain? (Pooling of water can lead to discoloration of your tub.)
- Are there any cracks in the toilet? And does it flush quickly enough, and without leaking?
- Does the vent fan work? (You don’t want excess moisture!)
- Are all towel racks properly secured?
Exterior
- Are the balcony railings sturdy and secure?
- If the balcony has glass walls, do they also feel sturdy and secure?
- Is the balcony floor built so water can drain from it?
Beyond checking for all of these items to ensure everything is, or will be done properly, we’ve got a few other tips to help your PDI appointment run smoothly.
Tips for a Successful PDI
- Be nice with the representatives you’re working with on-site. Typically, there are one or two people who do all the PDI’s for the building; they’ll be able to tell you what has to still be done. They are usually very picky, so make it easy for them to help you.
- Be picky. While the developer’s representatives work for the builder, they will generally be blunt with you depending on what the deficiency is. They will either say that is not something that the builder will repair/replace/etc., or they will.
- Take your time! This is your time, and your PDI. Don’t let the representative rush you, but also don’t take up their whole day. Get to the appointment early and be prepared with your checklist.
- While it’s necessary to examine every room, the most important are the kitchen and bathrooms. This is where your condo has the most moving parts and has the chance of more issues taking place.
- Remember the details! Turn on every faucet, flush every toilet, close every door, inspect every wall, open every cabinet. Anything could have been installed incorrectly, so don’t be afraid to point something out.
- Bring someone with you. The more eyes the better! Bring your agent (especially if you are planning on renting it out, or selling it shortly after), friend, parents, etc.
- Read your APS (Agreement of Purchase and Sale) again before your PDI. There will be numerous schedules, like the one for finishes and features. Compare what you see with what you were promised, and make sure you are getting what is agreed to in your agreement.
- If you missed something during the PDI, you still have the 30-day Tarion form. After you take possession, if you find a ‘deficiency’ you can use your 30-day form to go through Tarion.
- Bring a tape measure and flashlight. While you will have the builders floor plan as a guide for furniture, this is your chance to see exactly how much space you have for the couch, dining table or bed. Remember that the builder is allowed to modify space to a small degree, so it might change from the original plan. Sometimes the power might be off, if the builder is working on a certain part of the building, so have a flashlight just in case. Also remember your iPhone charger or a small hairdryer to test the outlets.
If you’re looking for more information on how your upcoming PDI works and what to expect, get in touch with us directly by filling out the form below.
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