[Disclaimer: I built a tract/production home; your experience may vary wildly from mine, if you're building custom, lol.]

How picky should I be?

Listen to the little voice inside that says, "I know Mr. Superintendent just said that [random issue] is cosmetic, but what if it causes problems later...?" and document it anyway. Especially if it has anything to do with wood, glass, or masonry.

I just came out of a 13-month conflict with my builder over a window crack. At closing, there was a dent on a frame, and it touched the glass. Super said it was cosmetic and didn't write anything down. Less than 2 months later, a 3"-4" long stress crack formed vertically, *right in the center* of the dent, which I immediately reported.

It took awhile, and I was super super nice the whole time despite being totally frustrated, but they eventually agreed to fix it last week. Part of the delay was my fault, since I'm so patient, that I only email people Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm, and I give folks plenty of time to respond to me (7-10 days). I also gave birth during that time, and was NOT willing to deal with house stuff for like 2 months. ;-)

It would've been easier if I had insisted on *anything* amiss with windows being documented from Day 1. Even if it only seemed cosmetic. I was neurotic about the cabinets; should've been the same with the windows.

That said, I recommend prioritizing, *for your own sake*. Unless you have endless toddler-like energy, find every possible thing that bugs you, but only focus on the top 10. It's possible to tackle everything with gusto, but I get worn down after about a year, lol.

How long before move in should it be?

If I could do it again, I'd kinda insist on a week between walk through and closing; my builder only gave us 3 days, and it was *not* enough.

How long should it take for things to be corrected?

Depends on what's wrong. Some things are fixed within hours (electrical code stuff), some things kinda drag on and on. And on. lol

We are planning to take our time on our own and go through first.

Definitely!!! I wish we had been permitted to do this. Because of severe delays, the Super, the 3rd-party inspector, and my family with *five young children* were there for only about an hour, 3 days prior to closing. It sucked. :-/

Almost there, Miss Alison!

We kept a list throughout the entire process. When we moved in the house was not completely finished because we needed to be out of our rental. To the builders credit he did get us in. Our punch list was made after we were already moved in. I don't think we got the punch list back to the builder for over 2 weeks. We put every little thing we found on the list not expecting every little thing to get fixed but at least it made us look like we were willing to compromise on some stuff. In the end some stuff got fixed(bigger issues) and other stuff we decided to handle on our own. We have lived in the house since Dec 30th. I think it is best to go through on your own first and then go through with the builder. Some of our stuff wasn't taken care of for a few months due to weather. A couple things came to light since the original punch list that they have to correct. They used incorrect hardware to attach the composite decking fascia boards so some are now pulling away. It would have been real simple to check what the manufacturer suggested. They used exactly what the manufacturer stated shouldn't be used. Ugh!! Our house is a log cabin. When we have a really bad storm with blowing winds on the north side of the house one of the logs leaks. The builder sent a guy out to caulk some checks but it still leaked. DH got up on ladder and caulked whatever he saw and it still leaks. We cant figure out where the water is getting in but we do know where it comes out which is in the master bath. Just recently we noticed a shingle was coming up on our rear porch roof right before the hurricane was going to come through. The builder sent a guy out and that got fixed.

Compromise is a good way to look at it as there may be trade-offs. If you give a little then they need to give a little on something that is important to you.

Most people are picky and I feel builders are used to it. The important thing is to document everything and communicate everything. One Devoted Dame gives a good example that could develop after your warranty period.

Look for major defects: not sing gang wall-plate is off 100% plumb, or a bug stuck in the paint. Bowed walls, bad workmanship, wrong appliances, bad drywall job, squeaky floors, off color cabinet doors. I inspect insulation in the attic [10" is not r38]. You punch list should have: Critical (must) be resolved prior to closing, Less Critical (wish) completed toward closing. To be perfectly honest i would not close until both lists resolved.

Oh, sorry, I didn't realize it was a cash build! I wouldn't even know what to do or when to do stuff without a bank being involved, lol. That's awesome. :-)

There is a bank involved. [...] The two are only connected through us.

Okay, now I'm confused, lol. It is quite possible that I don't actually know what "closing" means, that I only *thought* I knew what it means, so please forgive this little tangent....

Isn't closing what happens when the bank officially creates a mortgage loan (regardless of how the house came to be), and you have to start paying it? Do I grossly misunderstand? Everyone please be patient with me while I ask stupid questions, lol. Thanks. :-)

We will need to convert our mortgage back to <<<a regular mortgage once
house is done>>> but it isn’t a closing and the builder isn’t connect to
any of it other than his job being to complete the house.

Gotcha! This is what I thought was called "closing" -- literally, I thought it was simply the creation of a regular mortgage. Thanks for explaining this to me... I hope to find myself in the position one day, of paying a GC to construct a house on land I already own, so this has been helpful. Thank you. :-)

In terms of the punch list i strongly recommend notifying the contractors of issues as you find them. And I would make a point of being on site regularly so that you do find them. So many issues can be fixed cheaply and quickly if you catch them early before the next tradesperson come in and does their thing. Good luck.