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New Build & PDI

Tarion warranty, builder defects, PDI documentation — do not trust the builder alone

16 guides in this series

All 16 guides in this series

Why New Builds Need Inspection — The Myth of New Equals Perfect

New construction has its own category of defects — grading, incomplete punch lists, HVAC misconfiguration, and envelope failures that only appear months later.

8 min read

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Tarion Warranty — What It Covers, What It Does Not, and Your Deadlines

Your Tarion warranty has specific submission deadlines. Miss them and you lose coverage. Here is the complete timeline and what to document.

9 min read

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PDI Inspection Checklist — Every Item Your Builder Will Miss

The builder's PDI is performed by their own team. Here is the independent checklist that catches the 40+ deficiencies they routinely overlook.

8 min read

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Grading and Drainage on New Builds — The Most Common Deficiency

Improper lot grading is the single most common deficiency on new Ontario builds. It causes foundation damage within years if not corrected before warranty expires.

7 min read

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HVAC Issues in New Builds — Misconfiguration, Imbalance, and Duct Problems

Improperly balanced HVAC, disconnected ductwork, and missing returns are found on the majority of new build inspections in Ontario.

6 min read

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Electrical Issues in New Builds — What Passes Code But Fails Quality

Passing municipal inspection is the minimum bar. Here are the electrical quality issues found in new builds that are technically code-compliant but poorly executed.

6 min read

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How to Document Deficiencies for Tarion Submission

Photos, measurements, locations, and descriptions — here is how to document deficiencies so Tarion and your builder cannot dismiss them.

7 min read

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When to Walk Away — New Build Issues That Should Stop Possession

Major grading failures, missing fire stopping, and structural deficiencies are among the findings that should delay taking possession until resolved.

7 min read

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The Real Cost of Ignoring New construction defects — What Ontario Homeowners Paid in 2025

Real case studies of Ontario homeowners who delayed repairs for new construction defects. Actual repair bills, insurance implications, and how ignored problems compound into five-figure emergencies.

10 min read

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New construction defects and Ontario Building Code — What Inspectors Check and Why

Specific Ontario Building Code sections that apply to new construction defects. What passes vs fails inspection, how code has changed, and what grandfathering means for buyers.

11 min read

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How Ontario Weather Makes New construction defects Worse — A Seasonal Breakdown

Spring snowmelt, summer humidity, fall prep, winter freeze. A season-by-season breakdown of how Ontario climate accelerates new construction defects and what to watch for each quarter.

9 min read

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New construction defects in Ontario Housing Eras — 1960s to 2020s

Pre-1970, the 1970-1990 problem decade, the 1990-2005 transition, and modern builds. How new construction defects manifest differently in each Ontario housing era and what to expect.

10 min read

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What Happens After the Inspector Finds New construction defects — Complete Action Guide

Your inspector flagged new construction defects. Now what? How to read the report, get accurate quotes, negotiate with the seller, and decide whether to walk away or proceed.

11 min read

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New construction defects Myths vs Reality — What Ontario Buyers Get Wrong

The most common misconceptions about new construction defects in Ontario homes. What real estate agents sometimes get wrong, what sellers claim vs what inspectors find, backed by inspection data.

8 min read

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DIY vs Professional Repair for New construction defects in Ontario

What can legally be DIY in Ontario, what requires a licensed contractor, permit requirements, cost comparison, and the real risk of unpermitted work on resale value.

9 min read

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New construction defects Questions Every Ontario Buyer Should Ask — And the Answers

10 questions to ask the inspector, 5 for the seller, 3 for your lawyer. What the answers reveal about the property and which red flag answers should make you walk away.

10 min read

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New Build & PDI

All 16 guides in this series

Why New Builds Need Inspection — The Myth of New Equals Perfect

Tarion Warranty — What It Covers, What It Does Not, and Your Deadlines

PDI Inspection Checklist — Every Item Your Builder Will Miss

Grading and Drainage on New Builds — The Most Common Deficiency

HVAC Issues in New Builds — Misconfiguration, Imbalance, and Duct Problems

Electrical Issues in New Builds — What Passes Code But Fails Quality

How to Document Deficiencies for Tarion Submission

When to Walk Away — New Build Issues That Should Stop Possession

The Real Cost of Ignoring New construction defects — What Ontario Homeowners Paid in 2025

New construction defects and Ontario Building Code — What Inspectors Check and Why

How Ontario Weather Makes New construction defects Worse — A Seasonal Breakdown

New construction defects in Ontario Housing Eras — 1960s to 2020s

What Happens After the Inspector Finds New construction defects — Complete Action Guide

New construction defects Myths vs Reality — What Ontario Buyers Get Wrong

DIY vs Professional Repair for New construction defects in Ontario

New construction defects Questions Every Ontario Buyer Should Ask — And the Answers

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Knowledge is step one. Inspection is step two.