| There is a critical first step all new home buyers in | | | | During the PDI, you and/or an individual you select to |
| Ontario must take when your new home is ready for | | | | attend (your designate) will be given the opportunity |
| occupancy, known as the Pre-Delivery Inspection or | | | | to examine the interior and exterior of the home |
| PDI. Much more than just a quick tour, the PDI | | | | with your builder or your builder's representative |
| represents the first opportunity for buyers to view | | | | present. The objective of this inspection is to make a |
| their home in its completed state and thoroughly | | | | written record of all items that are incomplete, |
| assess its condition. | | | | damaged, missing, inaccessible or not operating |
| All builders of new homes and condominiums in | | | | properly. |
| Ontario are required by Tarion Warranty Corporation | | | | It is the builder's responsibility to explain how the |
| to conduct a PDI with their customers prior to a | | | | various systems in your home work – including |
| home's date of possession. Tarion is a private | | | | the heating, electrical, plumbing and air conditioning |
| corporation that protects home buyers according to | | | | – thus making the PDI a good opportunity for |
| the terms of the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan | | | | your builder to go through them with you. It is very |
| Act, which requires that builders provide warranty | | | | important that you understand how to operate your |
| coverage on every new home built in the province. | | | | home's systems because not using them properly |
| "The PDI is an important starting-off point in the new | | | | could affect your warranty coverage. |
| home warranty process," according to Carol Metcalfe, | | | | During the PDI, homeowners should carefully examine |
| director of claims at Tarion. "Most builders are | | | | the home both inside and out. While inside, they |
| committed to constructing a quality product, but | | | | should look for things like chips in porcelain sinks or |
| today's new homes are large and complex, made up | | | | scratches on counter tops, damage to floors or walls, |
| of many different systems and components. The | | | | and doors and windows that are not secure or do |
| PDI therefore provides homeowners with a prime | | | | not open and close easily. Outside they should check |
| opportunity for assessing a home's overall | | | | things like the quality of brickwork and siding, |
| workmanship and features." | | | | whether window screens have been installed, and the |
| The PDI takes place when your new home is ready | | | | appearance of the driveway and landscaping. |
| for occupancy, and before you take possession. | | | | |