Advice for Inspecting Your New Presale Condo: The Ultimate Walkthrough Guide for Vancouver & The Fraser Valley

Whether you've invested in a sleek high-rise in Surrey City Centre, a family-sized townhome in Langley's Willoughby, or a transit-oriented condo in Coquitlam's Burquitlam, the final step before moving in is the deficiency walkthrough — your one chance to ensure the developer delivered exactly what you paid for. 1. The "Notice of Completion": Timing is Everything In the BC presale market, developers typically issue a Notice of Completion about 7 to 10 days before the official closing date. This notice triggers two things: 💰 Final Payment Your mortgage needs to be funded and ready to go. 🔍 The Walkthrough You will be invited to inspect your unit before keys are handed over. 💡 Pro Tip Don't rush this. While the developer's representative might try to keep the appointment to 30–60 minutes, you have the right to a thorough inspection. If you can't make it, you can often appoint a proxy or hire a professional home inspector. 2. The Ultimate Deficiency Walkthrough Checklist When you step into your new home in Delta , Surrey , or Coquitlam , bring a roll of green painter's tape to mark spots and a flashlight. Here is what to check: 🎨 Interior Finishes & Cosmetics • Walls & Paint: Look for "holidays" missed spots , scuffs, or uneven textures. Check corners for cracks. • Flooring: Walk the entire unit to feel for uneven floorboards or "popping" in laminate/hardwood. Check for scratches or chips in tile. • Baseboards & Trim: Ensure they are flush with the wall and that there are no gaps in the caulking. 🍳 Kitchen & Appliances • Cabinetry: Open every drawer and cupboard. Do they soft-close? Are the hinges aligned? Check for scratches on the cabinet faces. • Appliances: Turn on the stove, oven, and microwave. Run a quick cycle on the dishwasher. Check the fridge for dents and ensure the water dispenser works. • Countertops: Run your hand along the edges of the quartz or granite to find any chips or cracks. 🔧 Plumbing & Electrical • Taps & Drains: Run all faucets hot and cold . Check for leaks under the sinks. Flush every toilet. • Outlets: Bring a small phone charger to test that every electrical outlet is live. • Lighting: Flip every switch. Check that dimmers work smoothly.…

This article is part of the PresaleProperties.com BC real estate guide library. It is intended for buyers comparing presale condos, townhomes, assignments, deposits, completion timelines, neighbourhoods and developer incentives across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

Because presale information changes quickly, readers should verify current project pricing, floor plans, incentives and availability before signing contracts or submitting deposits. For direct help, call 672 258-1100 or request VIP access on the relevant project page.