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OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, August 5, 2009 · 18 buying Moving into a brand new home is a great experience. Both you and your builder have worked hard to arrive at this point, and now it's time to enjoy the rewards of your labour. As you get ready to settle into your new surroundings, it's a good idea to review the processes that will help to ensure that your first year in your new home is a truly satisfying experience. Dealing with outstanding items The pre-delivery inspection of your home by you and your builder may have identified minor items to be corrected or completed after you move in. Typical items include small touch-ups, missing finishing products due to delivery delays or things that cannot be completed due to the weather. These items should be listed on the Certificate of Completion and Possession, signed by you after the inspection, and then forwarded to the builder's warranty program. Discuss with your builder how and when you can expect these items to be dealt with. Your builder's after-sales service What happens if a problem emerges after you take possession? Before move-in, Getting settled into your new home make sure you are familiar with your builder's after-sales service process in detail. What's covered by warranty during the first year and what's not? In subsequent years? Who is your key contact? Does the builder schedule regular follow-up calls during the first year when you can discuss any accumulated work, or should you contact the company as the need may arise? Also get an idea of the response time you can realistically expect. Outside of the rare emergency requiring immediate attention, a builder may have to arrange service calls around construction schedules as well as the availability of subcontractors. The vast majority of service calls are dealt with professionally, within a reasonable timeframe and to the homeowner's satisfaction. If needed, the third-party warranty program, which backs the builder's warranty, can step in to resolve any dispute and ensure that the required work is done. Understand typical fist-year changes in your home A brand new home typically experiences some drying out of materials and settling during the first year, which may result in minor changes. This is completely normal, does not indicate a defect in your home and should not be a cause for concern. Most changes are related to moisture, as materials used in the construction of your home continue to dry out. For instance, drywall may develop nail pops or hairline cracks, or small shrinkage cracks may appear in basement walls or garage floors. Occasionally, hardwood flooring may develop a few squeaks as the wood dries out; however, it is important to remember that solid wood products, from floors to doors, will continue to contract and expand throughout the lifetime of your home, in response to humidity levels inside and out. Talk with your builder about any changes that might occur, and how to best deal with them. Develop your new home maintenance regime Today's low-maintenance building products have eliminated a lot of time-consuming and often tedious home upkeep. However, no home is maintenance free. As you move into your new home, set up a schedule of regular check-ups and clean-ups. This will help to keep your home in mint condition and protect your investment. During the pre-delivery inspection, your builder will explain how to operate and maintain the systems in y our home and how to take care of it. Many builders provide their customers with a homeowner's manual that details the construction and maintenance of your new home. This includes information by manufacturers of specific products used in your home, from exterior siding to floor tiles. Check www.NewHomesMonth.com for more information about new homes and the home buying process, and for the names of professional new home builders in your community. Also contact your provincial new home warranty program - another valuable resource for new home buyers and owners. new