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Summary: The final walkthrough is your visit to the property, usually 24 to 48 hours before closing, to confirm it matches what you agreed to buy. For a resale home you check against your agreement of purchase and sale (APS); for a new build it is the Tarion pre-delivery inspection (PDI).
It is your last clear chance to catch a problem while you still have leverage. Once title transfers, your options narrow quickly, so knowing what to look for, and who to call if something is off, is what makes the walkthrough worth doing properly.
What is the final walkthrough, and is a new build different?
The final walkthrough is a short visit shortly before closing to confirm the property is in the condition you agreed to, that everything included in the sale is there, and that nothing has been damaged since you signed. What you are checking against depends on what you bought.
Resale home | New build |
Called the final walkthrough or pre-closing visit | Called the pre-delivery inspection (PDI) |
You check against your agreement of purchase and sale | You check against the builder's specifications |
Reference document: your APS and its inclusions list | Reference document: Tarion's official PDI form |
Remedies are contractual (credit, holdback, undertaking) | Defects are logged on the PDI form for Tarion warranty claims |
One timing note: the closing date (when funds and title transfer) and the possession date (when you actually get the keys) are often the same day in Ontario, but not always. Confirm both with your lawyer so the walkthrough is scheduled at the right time.
What should you check at a resale walkthrough?
Walk the property room by room with your APS in hand, and photograph anything questionable with timestamps. Focus on what your agreement actually promises:
Included items are all present. Appliances, light fixtures, window coverings, shelving, and anything else listed in the APS, with no unapproved substitutions.
Agreed repairs are done. Anything the seller committed to fix should be complete; ask for receipts where it matters.
No new damage. Check walls, floors, and fixtures for move-out scuffs, gouges, or breakage that wasn't there when you signed.
Systems work. Run hot and cold water, test the heating and cooling, and check that outlets and included appliances operate.
Doors, windows, and locks function, and the property is empty and clean if vacant possession was agreed.
Safety basics are in place. Working smoke alarms on every storey and outside sleeping areas, and carbon monoxide alarms where required under Ontario's fire-safety rules.
If the utilities are off when you arrive, you can't test the major systems. Note it, photograph it, and tell your lawyer before closing, because that gap is itself worth flagging.
What about a new build: the Tarion pre-delivery inspection?
For a newly built home, the walkthrough is the pre-delivery inspection, a builder-led review before you take possession. Its purpose is to record any item that is damaged, incomplete, missing, or not working, directly on the official PDI form. The form is not a complaint; it is a dated legal record that supports later warranty claims through Tarion, Ontario's new-home warranty administrator.
Go through every area (floors, walls, kitchen and bathrooms, doors and windows, electrical, and heating and cooling) and note defects on the PDI form as you find them.
Get the operating orientation. Ask the builder's rep to show you the main water shut-off, the electrical panel, and the thermostat controls.
Keep the Certificate of Completion and Possession (CCP). It marks the official start of your coverage under the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act.
Missed something? Items not caught at the PDI can still be claimed through Tarion within the applicable deadlines, but the PDI form makes for a stronger, dated record.
What are your rights if something is wrong?
Finding a problem does not automatically let you cancel or renegotiate the deal. Your options depend on your APS and how serious the issue is. Two things to do right away:
Document it on the spot. Timestamped photos and a written list, checked against your APS and inclusions schedule.
Call your lawyer before closing day, not on closing morning. The earlier they know, the more room there is to act.
From there, the remedies your lawyer may pursue include:
A price credit or abatement that reduces the purchase price to reflect the cost of the problem.
A holdback of funds in trust until specific items are dealt with after closing.
An undertaking from the seller's lawyer, a written commitment to complete a repair after closing.
A delayed closing, reserved for issues serious enough to justify it.
Closing "under protest" — proceeding to close while reserving the right to pursue the issue afterward — is a lawyer-handled strategy with real legal implications, not a decision to make on your own at the door. For how these issues play out on the day itself, what actually happens on closing day is worth reading ahead of time.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have a legal right to a final walkthrough before closing?
A pre-closing inspection is usually built into the APS rather than guaranteed by statute. Most standard Ontario agreements include the right to a visit before closing, but check your specific agreement or ask your lawyer to confirm what access you have.
What if the seller refuses the walkthrough or moves the timing?
Tell your lawyer. Refusing the access your agreement provides can be a breach of the APS, and your lawyer can advise on the right next step before funds are released.
Can I delay closing if I find a problem?
Sometimes, depending on how serious the issue is and what your contract says. It is a decision to make with your lawyer, ideally before closing day rather than during it.
What if included items are missing at the walkthrough?
Note exactly what is absent, photograph the space where it should be, and contact your lawyer before closing. Missing inclusions are one of the most common walkthrough issues, and they are usually resolved with a credit or a holdback.
What if it's a new build and a defect shows up after possession?
Submit it through Tarion's warranty process within the applicable deadlines, using your PDI form, photos, and the date you noticed the issue. Items found in the first weeks after possession can still be claimed even if they weren't on the PDI form.
About the author
Joel Fox is a co-founder and COO at Ownright. He helps run the firm's day-to-day work on Ontario residential closings, refinances, and sales, and writes regularly to demystify the parts of a transaction that most homeowners only encounter once or twice in their lives.
At Ownright, we focus entirely on Ontario residential real estate law, guiding buyers through every step of a purchase closing. You can start your closing online or get in touch with any questions.
Legal references: Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.31 (Tarion warranty coverage and the pre-delivery inspection for new builds).
Important note: This article is not legal advice. No one should act, or refrain from acting, based solely on the information in this post or any linked materials without first seeking appropriate legal or professional advice.
