A pre-possession inspection is a third-party review of a new home in the days before the builder hands over keys. In Alberta, the builder conducts a Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) walkthrough with the buyer, but the PDI is fundamentally a familiarization and a punch-list of cosmetic items. A pre-possession inspection is a technical review of the home's systems and finishes by an independent inspector working only for the buyer.
Scope at this stage covers the finished home as it will be occupied: roof from the ground, exterior cladding and grading, all interior finishes, doors and windows operation, kitchen and bath plumbing, electrical fixtures and outlets (random sampling), HVAC system operation, water heater, attic, and any visible deficiencies. Many systems can be tested at this stage that couldn't be evaluated pre-drywall — the home is now functional.
The report becomes the basis for the builder's pre-possession deficiency list. Calgary builders generally have 30 to 90 days post-possession to address pre-possession deficiencies, with a longer warranty window for major items. The clearer and more documented the list, the smoother the post-possession follow-up.
Common findings at this stage in Calgary new builds: window operation issues (sticking, alignment), trim and finish defects, missing sealant at fixtures, drainage and grading not yet completed (often deferred to spring), incomplete or improperly terminated bath fan ducting, dryer vent issues, and HVAC commissioning items (incorrect register dampers, missing return air, unbalanced supply).
For buyers, the pre-possession inspection is particularly valuable when paired with a pre-drywall inspection — together they bracket the construction process and provide a complete record of build quality. For buyers who only commission one inspection, a pre-possession is the higher-value choice because it's the basis for warranty enforcement.
The 11-month inspection later in the warranty year complements pre-possession by surfacing items that emerge in the first year of occupancy — items that were correct at handover but failed under real-world use.
