You walk into your brand new home for the PDI walkthrough. Everything looks beautiful — fresh paint, gleaming floors, sparkling countertops. The builder's rep hands you a form. You check for scratches, open a few cupboards, flush a toilet. You sign.
And you've just missed the 10 items that will actually cost you money.
Here's what I find consistently across new builds in Milton, Oakville, Burlington, and the GTA — and what most buyers walk right past.
1. Exterior Grading
Most buyers never walk the full perimeter of the home during their PDI. Grading that slopes toward the foundation is the most expensive deficiency in new builds. Repair cost if missed: $3,000–$15,000+.
2. HVAC Airflow in Every Room
Buyers test the thermostat. They don't test each register for airflow. Disconnected ducts and missing dampers mean rooms that are too hot or too cold — but you won't notice during a mild-weather PDI. Repair cost: $500–$4,000.
3. Under-Sink Plumbing Connections
Supply lines and drain connections under every sink and behind every toilet. Slow leaks here cause catastrophic water damage within weeks. Buyers almost never check these. Repair cost if water damage occurs: $3,000–$8,000.
4. Window Seal Integrity
A cloudy or foggy window means a broken thermal seal. Most buyers don't examine every window under different lighting conditions. I check every window — typically 15–30+ in a home. Replacement cost per window: $300–$800.
5. Exterior Caulking
Around windows, doors, vents, and wall penetrations. Missing caulking allows water infiltration that leads to rot, mould, and structural damage behind siding. Almost always incomplete in new builds. Damage cost if missed: $1,000–$5,000+.
These aren't edge cases. I find these items in virtually every new build I inspect across the GTA. The builders aren't hiding them — they're just not looking for them. And neither are most buyers.
6. Electrical Panel Labeling
Mislabeled panels are a safety issue and a code issue. If you can't identify which breaker controls which circuit, you have a problem. Most buyers never open the panel door. I always do.
7. Bathroom Exhaust Fan Venting
Is the exhaust fan actually vented to the exterior, or does it just push moist air into the attic? Improperly vented bathroom fans cause attic mould — one of the most expensive remediation projects in residential construction.
8. Door Hardware and Weatherstripping
Exterior doors that don't latch properly. Missing weatherstripping. Deadbolts that don't align. These are security and energy efficiency issues that affect your daily life — and they're fixable at the builder's expense if caught before signing.
9. Garage Fire Separation
The wall and ceiling between your garage and your living space must maintain fire separation. Unsealed penetrations (electrical outlets, pipes, venting) compromise this separation. It's a code requirement and a safety issue.
10. Attic Insulation and Ventilation
Where accessible, I check the attic for proper insulation coverage and ventilation. Missing insulation over specific areas (like above the garage) is common in new builds and causes significant energy loss and ice damming in winter.
The Pattern
Notice a pattern? Every item on this list is something that's either hidden, requires specific knowledge to identify, or is in a location that buyers don't think to check. That's exactly why having an inspector with construction experience at your PDI makes such a difference.
I don't miss these items because I've spent 15+ years building homes and seeing exactly where things go wrong. For $299, you get that experience working for you — and a documented deficiency list that gives you maximum leverage with your builder.