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Once the active demolition work, debris hauling, and grading are complete, a final walkthrough with your contractor is a valuable step before considering your project officially finished. Understanding what to expect and how to prepare for this walkthrough helps ensure your project truly meets your expectations.

Why a Final Walkthrough Matters

A walkthrough gives you the opportunity to review the completed work directly with your contractor, ask any remaining questions, and identify anything that might need attention before the project is considered complete. This step provides accountability and a clear point of transition from active work to project completion.

What to Look for During the Walkthrough

Check that the site is properly graded, with no obvious low spots or uneven areas, particularly in the location of any excavation like a demolished pool. Confirm that all debris has been removed from the property, not just the main work area, and that any equipment or materials brought in for the project have been cleared out.

Checking Grading and Drainage

Since proper grading is critical to preventing future settling or drainage issues, this is worth specific attention during your walkthrough. If it's rained recently, checking for any standing water or pooling in the graded area can give you useful, real-world information about how the site is actually draining.

Confirming Scope of Work Completion

Review your original estimate or contract alongside the completed work to confirm everything included in your project's scope was actually addressed, from the primary demolition itself to details like fencing removal, equipment disconnection, or specific landscaping features you discussed protecting.

Asking About Landscaping or Restoration

If your project included any commitment to protect specific landscaping or restore certain areas, use the walkthrough to confirm these commitments were honored, and to discuss any final touch-up work that might still be needed.

Understanding Any Remaining Steps

Some projects have remaining steps after the physical work is complete, a final permit inspection, for example, or documentation you'll need for your own records. Use the walkthrough to clarify what, if anything, still needs to happen before your project is fully closed out.

Discussing Warranty or Guarantee Terms

If your contractor offers a warranty or guarantee, as covered in more detail elsewhere, the walkthrough is a good time to confirm what documentation you have regarding these terms and what the process would look like if you needed to use this coverage in the future.

Taking Your Own Photos

Just as documenting your property before demolition began has value, taking photos during your final walkthrough creates a clear record of the completed work, useful for your own files and as a point of comparison if any questions arise later.

Addressing Any Concerns Immediately

If you notice anything during the walkthrough that concerns you, an area that seems improperly graded, debris that wasn't fully cleared, or anything else, raising this directly with your contractor during the walkthrough, rather than after they've left, gives you the best opportunity for prompt resolution.

What Happens After a Successful Walkthrough

Once you and your contractor both confirm the work meets the agreed-upon scope, this typically marks the formal completion of your project, sometimes tied to final payment terms as discussed in more detail regarding project contracts and payment.

Tips for a Productive Final Walkthrough

• Review your original contract or estimate before the walkthrough so you can confirm the full scope was completed.
• Check grading and drainage specifically, ideally after a rain if timing allows.
• Take your own photos of the completed work for your records.
• Raise any concerns directly during the walkthrough rather than waiting until afterward.
• Confirm any remaining steps, inspections, or documentation needed before considering the project fully closed.