A blue tape walkthrough is a surface-level inspection of a new home where issues are flagged with blue painter’s tape by the buyer. It’s a normal part of the process for homeowners buying a new-construction home. You’ll complete the final blue tape walkthrough 5 to 7 days before you close on the home, and any issues you draw attention to should be fixed by the builder.
It’s incredibly helpful when you know what to look for. This guide can help you complete the blue tape walkthrough with confidence.
Understanding the Blue Tape Walkthrough
You might hear a blue tape walkthrough called “blue tape inspection,” but it is not, technically speaking, a full home inspection. You’re the one walking through, and you’re not expected to have specialized knowledge. But a blue tape walkthrough is the perfect time to flag cosmetic or functional issues such as paint touch-ups, a door that’s sticking, or tile grout that needs to be cleaned up. Flagged items will be added to the “punch list,” which is a list your builder has of all the items that need to be completed before a homeowner moves into the new construction home.
Taking care of all the punch list items you find is the builder’s job and will make moving into your new home smoother.
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Definition and Purpose
The blue tape walkthrough is an opportunity for you to go through the house with your construction manager before you close on your home mortgage loan. You’re ready to get through the closing and focus on your moving checklist — you don’t want to also have to worry about fixing a bunch of things around your new home, so the more you find, the better. After all, you aren’t buying a foreclosed home or a historic home built in the last century. You’re paying for new construction and should make sure you get your money’s worth.
Origin of the Term “Blue Tape”
Blue tape refers to the blue painter’s tape used to visually mark where an issue needs to be addressed. Blue painter’s tape has only been around since 1988, so the origins are fairly recent.
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Blue Tape Walkthrough Process
The blue tape walkthrough process is pretty straightforward. Here’s when it happens, who does it, what tools are used, and what to expect:
Timing of the Walkthrough
You’re well past the point of making an offer on a home when you take this step. The blue tape walkthrough occurs 5 to 7 days before you’re set to close. It’s not intended as a home inspection. Ideally, that has already been completed. It’s a final walk-through designed to flag minor issues and point out what’s missing or not working.
Participants Involved
The blue tape walkthrough is completed with the new homeowner and a representative from the builder, such as a construction supervisor or community superintendent. The buyer’s real estate agent can also accompany the buyer, as can any other professional the buyer invites.
Tools Used
You don’t need specialized tools to complete a blue tape walkthrough, but you’ll likely want the following:
• Blue painter’s tape. You’ll likely be given this by the builder, but you can bring your own. You’ll tear off a piece when you find something that needs to be addressed.
• Measuring tape. If something doesn’t feel quite right or looks off-center, you can use a measuring tape to check.
• Level. A level can help you check alignment if your eye tells you something seems off.
• Flashlight. For those hard-to-see areas.
• Camera. Take pictures of the defects you find. Make sure anything you asked to be fixed previously has been fixed.
• Notepad. You’ll want to take notes, either on paper or on your device.
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Common Issues Identified During a Blue Tape Walkthrough
Don’t know what to look for? Unless you have experience, you won’t really know what to look for. It’s helpful to walk through with someone who has construction experience (builder, architect, or designer). Even after an inspection and blue tape walkthrough, it’s normal to miss things.
Hopefully, a home inspection has taken care of the major issues for you, and you’ll be looking for more minor, common issues on your own. Here’s a blue tape walkthrough checklist of what to look for in the interior and exterior spaces of the home.
Cosmetic Defects
You’ll likely see some cosmetic defects, including:
☐ Cleaning. Note areas that need cleaning, especially in the front yard and entrance after construction has been completed. Look for stains in the carpet or scratches on appliances or countertops.
☐ Chipped paint. Mark spots that may have a different sheen or need some paint touch-up.
☐ Drywall. Check for uneven surfaces, gaps, nail holes, or inconsistent texture.
☐ Missing or bad caulk job. Caulk smooths over a lot of edges. There are likely a few places where the builder missed, including sealing in new doors, windows, trim, tubs, toilets, sinks, and more.
☐ Paint overspray. You might see tiny splatters on tile, cabinets, or flooring.
☐ Gaps or visible seams. Mark any gaps you don’t like, such as transitions from one floor to another, a window to a wall, or visible seams along trim work.
☐ Dead grass. If landscape is included in your package, have the dead spots of grass addressed.
☐ Fence damage. Check for broken slats, areas where pests can enter, and uneven installation.
☐ Poor workmanship. Bad tile jobs, sloppy window installation, messy caulk, etc.
Functional Problems
Functional problems are those where something isn’t working the way it should. You may want to check the following:
☐ Working hardware. Check knobs and locks for functionality.
☐ Electrical fixtures. Outdoor lighting and interior lights should be installed and working. Ceiling fans should be installed securely and working.
☐ Drawers and cabinets. Make sure drawers run smoothly and cabinet doors lay even. They may need an adjustment or need hardware installed. Make sure the shelves are there.
☐ Windows. Test all the windows and make sure they open and close properly and smoothly. Make sure they lock securely.
☐ Doors. Both interior and exterior doors need to function properly. If they stick, they may need a slight adjustment. If you can see light through the sides of an exterior door, it may be missing weather stripping or need an adjustment.
☐ Plumbing. Run every faucet in the home and look for leaks. Make sure you have hot water. Flush all the toilets. Make sure you have water pressure. Make sure everything drains properly. Make sure you can find the water shut off.
☐ HVAC. Turn on heating and cooling mechanicals. Does your thermostat work? Take a look at the filter on the cold air return as it likely needs to be changed after construction has ended.
☐ Appliances. Make sure appliances that were included in your home purchases are installed properly. The dishwasher is often installed incorrectly. Use the oven or cooktop and make sure each burner works. Run the microwave for a bit.
☐ Garage door. Check to see if the garage door is operational.
☐ Grading. Make sure there’s a proper grade away from the house so water doesn’t settle around the foundation.
☐ Sprinkler system. Check the sprinkler system for leaks and errant spray.
Missing Features
The blue tape walkthrough checklist is longer still. Next step: Make a note of any feature that was promised, but has not yet been installed. Common issues might include:
• Dishwasher, washer and dryer, or stove vent hood.
• Dryer vent not installed.
• Wiring for a TV or other electronics.
• Upgrades you paid for.
• Safety features, such as a fire alarm, carbon monoxide detector, or safety rails.
Importance of the Blue Tape Walkthrough
A blue tape walkthrough can help with quality assurance, help protect your investment, and ensure accountability on the part of the builder.
But perhaps what’s most important about a blue tape walkthrough is it helps take care of issues before you move in. When something comes up after you move, it’s much more of a hassle to fix than if it had been caught during an inspection or blue tape walkthrough.
Preparing for Your Blue Tape Walkthrough
If you’re working closely with your home builder, it’s likely you’ll have more than one blue tape walkthrough. You might be visiting the site all along and have noted issues that needed to be addressed when you saw them.
If this is your first blue tape walkthrough, here are a few tips to prepare:
• Visit the home frequently (where possible). You may notice and flag issues that can be fixed before your last blue tape walkthrough with the builder.
• Communicate with your construction manager. A good construction manager will likely flag issues better than you can. Good communication can help ensure issues are fixed in a timely manner.
• Print out a checklist and take it with you. When you’re going through the house, you may forget what to look for. Take a checklist with you.
• Ask for advice from experts. It’s hard to know what to look for, but you may have people in your network that are willing to help prepare you for a blue tape walkthrough.
• Create your own punch list. You’ll want to be sure you have your own punch list to help the builder follow through.
After the Blue Tape Walkthrough
After you’ve completed your blue tape walkthrough, there are a few follow-up items to take care of:
• Share your punch list with the construction manager. While they have their own punch list, just make sure you’re on the same page with what issues need to be addressed.
• Set a timeline for repairs. On that same note, communicate with your construction manager about when you want repairs to happen. It’s not uncommon for a builder to say they’ll come fix something after your loan is closed, but they might be more inclined to fix something quickly if they haven’t been paid.
• Follow-up with inspections. You’ll want to visit the property again to ensure the issues have been cleared up.
Blue Tape Walkthrough vs. Final Walkthrough
When you’re comparing a blue tape walkthrough vs. a final walkthrough, the major difference is the purpose. The purpose of a blue tape walkthrough is to flag minor issues the builder needs to address before closing. The purpose of a final walkthrough is intended to ensure the home remains in the same condition as when you wrote the contract and contractual obligations have been met.
The Takeaway
You play an important role in the blue tape walkthrough — don’t be afraid to take the time you need to flip every light switch and run every appliance to ensure that the details of your new home are taken care of before you move in. With a little blue painters tape, you can visually communicate to the builder what needs attention and where it is located.
You don’t need special knowledge, but it can be beneficial to bring along someone who can flag potential issues with you. The more that’s addressed before you move in, the less you have to stress about after you’ve moved into your new, beautiful — and fully functioning — home.
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FAQ
Why do real estate agents use blue tape?
Real estate agents or a home builder’s representative use blue tape, also known as painter’s tape, to mark walls and other areas because this tape is specially made so that it does not damage painted surfaces.
What is a blue tape inspection?
A blue tape inspection is not a true home inspection but rather a buyer’s walkthrough of a newly built home to identify anything that needs to be fixed before the closing. The buyer and a builder’s representative will walk through the home to look for cosmetic issues (such as dents or chipped paint) or functional issues (non-working appliances, for example) that need to be addressed.
Photo credit: iStock/Seth Cortright
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