I agree with John with regards to the attic. Inspecting the attic is a 30 day, and one year issue, not a PDI concern.
Why waste time looking in the attic during the PDI. Stay focused, and pay attention to the details that are important to note at the PDI.
Look for chips, scratches, dents, damage, etc. on walls, floors, doors, counters, cabinets, drawers, stairs, toilets, sinks, tubs, windows, etc.
Look for sloppy paint work.
Carefully examine hardwood floors for the above listed damage plus cupping, warping, and crowning.
Carefully examine all the exterior doors for dents, scratches, broken or cracked glass.
Carefully examine tubs and showers to make sure that the silicone is complete with no holes.
Look for damage and dents on the mechanical equipment.
Carefully examine garage doors for any damage.
There are many items that if missed during your PDI then you must prove that the damage was caused by the builder. This would include, but not limited to, door damage and hardwood floor damage.
The builder is required to dedicate one hour for every 1000 square feet of the home. This however is just a guideline and your PDI may take longer.
READ THIS CARFULLY - This Construction Performance Guidline basically says that if during the PDI, you detect that the hardwood floor is cupped, then they will repair the floor. Note that if after you move in and see that the hardwood floor is cupped then basically you are out of luck. Now you must prove that your home has a certain amount of humidity, and prove that the material and or workmanship is defective.
Article Number: 12.21
Condition: STRIP HARDWOOD FLOORING IS CUPPED (HIGH EDGES)
Acceptable Performance/Condition: Strip hardwood flooring shall be installed without cupping.
Warranty: One-Year – Work and Materials • Damage caused by improper maintenance is excluded from the statutory warranty. • Cupping caused by excessive humidity due to failure by the homeowner to maintain adequate ventilation is excluded from the statutory warranty.
Action: One complete heating and cooling season should be allowed as the problem may remedy itself.
Cupping identified at the time of the PDI shall be repaired. Cupping that occurs after the PDI
and is proven to result from defective work or materials shall be repaired.
Remarks:
Identify any damaged hardwood flooring on the PDI Form to avoid any dispute about whether the damage was caused by the builder. Cupping of hardwood strip flooring results from excessive moisture when the humidity below the finished flooring material is substantially higher than above. The homeowner has a responsibility to maintain indoor humidity levels through humidification, ventilation, air conditioning or dehumidification to prevent permanent, irreversible damage. A hygrometer can be used to monitor indoor humidity levels. The immediate sanding of a cupped floor without first allowing it to correct itself may cause even more damage. This condition commonly occurs when houses do not have adequate ventilation and can, under certain circumstances, result from defects in work or materials.
I offer free phone advice for people that are doing their own PDI's. If you have questions, or would like tips and advice please call me.
Andy Shaw - 905 876 4761
http://www.haltoninspections.com