Updated May 4th, 2022.
Recently, we’ve done a number of Blue Tape Inspections with our clients. Since many people have never heard the term, I thought I’d take a moment and give a brief explanation.
A Blue Tape Inspection, or sometimes referred to as a Blue Tape Walkthrough, is part of the process of building a new home. This is one of the final processes as the home nears its completion.
Usually, 3 to 4 weeks from the final completion date, the buyer will meet with a representative for the builder — often the on-site construction foreman and the builder’s agent or customer service rep.
The buyer and the builder representatives will do a walk-through of the home looking for incomplete items or items that require additional attention, repair, or correction. These items are marked with a piece of blue painter’s tape — hence the name.
Items marked can cover a broad spectrum of work, but most often, they are small cosmetic blemishes — scuffs on a wall or a cracked tile. In more uncommon cases, a marker can point to an incorrectly installed cabinet or a light fixture. In extreme cases, it might be a missing electrical outlet.
Once everything has been marked with a piece of blue tape, the builders will commit to addressing each issue and resolving it. This is also the time to discuss final expectations, home warranty information, etc. as offered by the particular builder.
A day or so before the final closing date, when the buyer actually purchases and takes possession of the home, there will be one more walk-through to confirm that the items found during the Blue Tape Inspection were correctly addressed.
It is not uncommon for some issues to still be outstanding. When this is the case, the builder will generally provide an addendum to the purchase contract that states those items will be addressed within a specific period of time after the buyer purchases and takes possession of the home. Basically the addendum obligates the builder to finish any items that have not been addressed.
Just like home inspections, we always attend the Blue Tape Inspections with our clients. We do this to observe the process as another “set of eyes” and provide some guidance to ensure our clients understand everything.
I hope this brief explanation was helpful. Please feel free to ask questions!
— Ryan
