Don't pay any final amounts until it's all taken care of?

ditto.....

A Certificate of Occupancy (and the term Substantial Completion) are terms meaning that the house is suitable for it's intended use. It does not mean all construction work is complete.

This is the reason that many architect used construction contracts have a "Retainage" clause in them which describes that 10% (for example) of every progress payment will be retained and not paid to the builder until all work is fully completed.

Check your construction contract to see what your payment and retainage terms and conditions may be. If you are able under you contract, withhold final payment until you have a meeting with your builder and all work is completed according to the construction documents.

No, not a tract home BriBosh and Contact says you cannot move in until all payments are made.

Moved in after CO because lease was up on apartment but never signed anything for final payment or punch list but did walk thru with builder and pointed out things. He told me to send him pics which I did. I had no idea this walk thru was an official thing, I thought he was being a nice guy.

I am guessing you did not have a lawyer review initial contract before signing. This is what holdbacks are for (or another member referred to as retainage).

Walk through are definitely an official thing and usually would be stated in your contract. My contract for example has walk through before occupancy, and one before the end of a year after closing (for final punch/warranty items). Stuff happens. It is how they deal with it that matters. A friend of mine moved in to her house several months ago but had issues with driveway and so they will be ripping it it and re-pouring soon now that nice weather is here.

What does your contract say in respect to warranty work and repairs?

As a matter of fact, I did have a lawyer look at the contract but none of this was mentioned. Warranty is one year from CO for substantial and material defects resulting from faulty workmanship, which I don't think any of this is included. It just looks terrible. I paid for a new house and it doesn't look new. I am so screwed.

Did you put any of your concerns is writing after the walkthrough? or the cabinet door thing?

Ultimately, you will have to figure out what REALLY needs to be fixed and what you can live with. There's a reason builders push for people to move in - EVERYONE wants it over with. They expect that you will "settle" for more things once you have moved in because scheduling the repairs and having your brand new house torn up / messes made / who knows what else damaged in the 'repair' process - you'll say "never mind".

By the same token - we all tend to obsess over each detail like it is "100% wrong", when all the details are simply parts of the larger whole. .No house, and no build is perfect. Once your things are in, ad you do a little scrubbing of the grout and the sidewalk, you may realize that it isn't as big a deal as you thought, and when you look at the whole picture, it's not all that detrimental.

Best of luck - a good builder will, in fact, make the material things right - so focus on those.

I sent him texts and photos. I have to say, looking at a "20 year old" garage floor in a new house is quite discouraging. See this photo of one kitchen cab door that I told him about the day it was installed and please be honest if you think I should live with this. The handles cannot be Redrilleded, it needs a new door and there are several.

"please be honest if you think I should live with this."

As an architect, that would drive me crazy. I once built a picket fence. After I had finished it, I decide to move a large bush in one section to the fence. Upon doing so I noticed that the section there sloped slightly down to the left. Mrs. ARG and the neighbors I happened to corral and ask couldn't see anything out of level. But a level on it confirmed my suspicions. A VERY SLIGHTLY off centered bubble!!

I knew it'd be the first thing I looked at EVERY TIME I drove up to the house so I spent an afternoon rebuilding that section of railing. Was now happy!

Cabinet handles are like jewelry. It needs to be right. IKEA sells a really nice jig for about $.99 - there's NO EXCUSE for sloppy handle installation because, as you already know, your eye gets drawn right to it. Especially on a handle as prominent as these. He needs to make that right.

I agree, it's been 3 months and no new doors yet.

CP is bang on. You need to itemize this and provide it to him via lawyer. Enough.

Let's cut to the chase: have you paid 100% of the construction costs which are due?

"and Contact says you cannot move in until all payments are made."

Virgil, sounds like the builder has been paid 100%.

Virgil, I have no idea what the bank sent the builder. I did call them on Wed but haven't heard back yet. There may be something in my loan docs that provide this so they are checking. There is still a glimmer of hope.

You're in FL? Which bank?

Seacoast

Ok don't know that one. Check your contract very carefully. I know our bank holds back 10%. I also know that our bank will not release any funds until we give the okay.

Seacoast is a small regional bank in my area (Palm Beach and Martin counties) of SE Fl.

Is this a construction perm loan with one closing in the beginning?

Do as cpartist mentioned earlier up thread about the letter listing each and every punch item and how long you have been waiting for repairs/replacements. Make sure you send it the way specified in the contract which is usually return receipt request + cc your attorney and send via email.