New home PDI checklist for Ontario buyers

The pre-delivery inspection, or PDI, is the walkthrough with your builder before you take possession. Anything you note on the PDI form becomes part of the record for your warranty, so it's worth doing carefully.

What to bring

• Your purchase agreement and upgrade list
• A phone charger for photos, painter's tape for marking spots, and a level
• A small outlet tester and a flashlight
• Someone to take notes while you look

Room-by-room checklist

• Walls, ceilings, trim: cracks, nail pops, paint coverage, gaps.
• Floors: scratches, chips, squeaks, lifting tiles, transitions between rooms.
• Windows and doors: open, close and lock smoothly; seals intact; no cracked glass.
• Kitchen and baths: cabinets aligned, counters undamaged, taps run hot and cold, drains clear, caulking complete.
• Electrical: every outlet and switch works; GFCI outlets trip and reset.
• Mechanical: furnace, air conditioning and water heater run; filters installed.
• Exterior: grading slopes away from the house, siding and brick intact, driveway as agreed.
• Upgrades: every item you paid for is installed as specified.

After the PDI

Keep a copy of the signed PDI form. Report new items on your 30-day and year-end warranty forms before their deadlines. See what the warranty covers. Many buyers bring an independent home inspector to the PDI so less gets missed.

More buyer guides

• Ontario HST rebate on new homes: up to $130,000 (2026 guide)
• First-time buyer GST/HST rebate on new homes in Ontario
• New home closing costs in Ontario: what to budget
• HST included in your builder contract: who gets the rebate?
• Tarion deposit protection: how much of your deposit is covered?