Building in Billings Part 3 of 3 – Finalizing Your Build: Closing, Moving In and Post Construction
Welcome back to part 3 of the 3 part blog series – Building In Billings!
Throughout this series, we’re diving into:
The Pre-Construction Phase – what to know before you build (read here!)
The Building Process From Start To Finish (read here!)
Finalizing Your Build – moving in and next steps (you’re here!)
Building your dream home from the ground up is such an exciting journey, but it comes with its fair share of challenges and a LOT of patience is needed throughout the entire process.
One thing I know for sure is that the building process can be made a lot more simple when you know how to go about it correctly, which is exactly why I wanted to create The Building in Billings series here on the blog.
From knowing what to do before you start your new construction, to feeling confident throughout the building process, and finally moving in and navigating your next steps with ease, this series was designed to save you from the stress so you can truly enjoy this exciting milestone in life!
In this blog post specifically, you’ll learn what happens in the last phase of your build and know what to expect with closing and moving in.
Let’s dive in.
You’re Almost There – The Final Steps of the Building Process in Billings, Montana
You did it! You built a home. You picked your plot of land and designed and customized your home truly from the ground up. That’s something to truly celebrate. Building a home is NOT for the faint of heart – it takes a lot of hard work and a lot of patience, but the outcome is oh so worth it!
But before you can officially move in, your home must pass a series of final inspections.These inspections ensure that the house complies with all building codes and safety regulations.
Two of the most common final inspections include:
Final Building Inspection – a general inspection to ensure that all work (structural, electrical, plumbing, HVAC) is complete and up to code.
Final Plumbing and Electrical Inspections – separate inspectors will verify that your home’s plumbing and electrical systems are installed correctly and functioning safely.
In addition to the final inspection, however, you’ll also want to conduct a final walkthrough with your builder. This is your opportunity to make sure that everything is exactly how it’s supposed to be.
During the final walkthrough, you should be looking for cosmetic issues, such as dings, scratches, or unfinished areas in the paint, flooring, or cabinetry and functionality, such as testing that all doors, windows appliances, plumbing fixtures, and electrical outlets work as they should.
Throughout this process, if you notice any issues, you’ll create a punch list of items that need to be fixed before closing!
The Closing Process for Your New Build
Once everything on your punch list has been attended to, it’s time for the fun part: CLOSING! ✍🏼
The closing process for your new build is very similar to how a closing works on a pre-existing home. It involves signing all the necessary paperwork, finalizing your mortgage if needed, and the best part, receiving the keys to your new home!
During the closing of your new build, you will review the final contract and any warranties provided by the builder, make the final payment or sign off on the disbursement of construction funds from your lender, and receive a copy of your home’s Certificate of Occupancy.
A Certificate of Occupancy is the official document issued by a local government agency that certifies a building's (in this case, your new home) compliance with local building codes and safety standards.
Ultimately, it verifies that the structure is safe for occupancy – this document is typically always required before a property can legally be inhabited, sold, or rented out.
Once you’ve officially closed on your new home, it’s time to get your utilities and essential services set up. Luckily, many of these can be arranged ahead of time so they’re ready to go on move-in day.
A general checklist for utilities and essential services includes:
✔️ Water
✔️ Electric
✔️ Gas
✔️ Internet
✔️ Trash
Moving Into Your New Build
And finally the day you’ve been looking forward to for months… MOVE-IN DAY! 📦
Once your closing is complete, the house that you’ve been dreaming of is finally yours and there is truly no better feeling.
All of the planning, decision making, and watching your home go from a pile of dirt to a framed piece of wood to a true home that you’ll make so many memories in, has finally paid off.
How you handle move-in day is totally up to you – whether you choose to work with a moving company (highly recommend!) or decide to handle the move yourself, you can take all the time you need.
Oftentimes I find that people who are moving into brand new homes often take this as an opportunity to declutter their belongings and only bring their must haves into their new build. They see it as a time of refreshment and renewal and I couldn’t agree more!
If you’ve decided to declutter and get things organized before you move into your new home, here’s a few tips for you:
Follow the KDSD method for sorting your belongings:
Keep: Items that are essential, hold significant sentimental value, or are frequently used
Donate: Gently used items that you no longer need. When it comes to donating, thrift stores can be a good option, but you can also donate to local shelters or charities so you know your items are going to a good cause!
Sell: Valuable items that you no longer need. You can use online marketplaces, garage sales, or consignment shops to earn some cash for larger things that still hold value.
Discard: Items that are broken, worn out, or no longer useful.
Follow the One Year Rule – if you have trouble deciding whether to keep an item or not, think about if you’ve used it within the last year. If you haven’t, you probably won’t within the next one either, so go ahead and get rid of it.
Use a Labeling System – as you clean out each room and decide what to keep, make sure you label each moving box by room and the contents inside. This will eliminate any confusion as you move the boxes into your new space.
Digitize Memories – it’s easy to want to hold onto photos, cards, letters, and other memorabilia, but these are often the items that become hard to store. To save space, consider scanning and digitizing your most beloved photos and old letters so you can easily look back on them at any time.
During your move, you may decide that you want some professionals on your side – whether it be a decluttering expert, professional organizer, or professional movers, my top recs in and around Billings include:
Professional Organizing | The OCD Girls
Professional Cleaning | Codi Borner (DM on Instagram to get connected!)
Estate Sale Planning | Bethany Elkin
Packing and Moving Services
Decluttering Service | Purple Cactus
Bulk Trash and Junk Removal
Donation Centers
Once the closing is complete, the house is officially yours. Move-in day is the culmination of all the months of planning, decision-making, and watching your home come to life. Whether you’re coordinating with a moving company or handling the move yourself, this is the most exciting part of the process.
Now, you’ll be able to enjoy your brand-new home, with the peace of mind that it was built to your specifications and passed all the necessary inspections.
Post-Construction Support and Maintenance
After you move in, many builders offer post-construction support through warranties and service contracts. It’s important to understand what is covered under these agreements and for how long.
Typical coverage includes:
Structural Warranty – this can cover major issues with the home’s foundation or framing for up to 10 years.
Workmanship Warranty – this covers issues like poor craftsmanship or defects in materials, usually for 1–2 years.
Appliance and System Warranties – new appliances and systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing) often come with their own manufacturer warranties, which can vary in length.
Should any issues arise in the first few months of living in your home, your builder will typically address them under warranty.
In addition to any unexpected issues that may arise after move-in, it’s also important to keep up with your post-construction maintenance task to keep everything in your new build in tip top shape including:
Regular Inspections – inspect caulking around windows, doors, and bathroom fixtures, which may settle over time and need reapplication within the first few months.
HVAC and Plumbing Maintenance – check your HVAC filters, as these may need replacing after all the dust of construction. Drains and plumbing fixtures may also require a quick clean-out after the initial settling period.
Landscaping and Exterior Care – if your home came with landscaping, make sure you’re aware of watering schedules and general care routines. Taking care of your yard early on will help the plants thrive and prevent future issues.
To help you stay on top of your home maintenance on a seasonal basis, CLICK HERE to download the seasonal maintenance checklist! ❄️🌸☀️🍂
Ready to start building in Billings?
If you’re ready to start the building process in Billings, MT, I’m ready to help you get started!
Before you can get to the fun stuff, it’s important to partner with a local, trusted real estate agent that will work with you from start to finish to make the process feel way less overwhelming and will help you get connected with all of the crucial people needed who have been vetted and trusted.
If you’re local to Billings and are ready to start the process of building your dream home, CLICK HERE to connect and I’ll help you get started on the right foot.
And if you aren’t local to Billings, good news for you – I know people. 😏
Connect here and I’ll get you in touch with a trusted agent in your area to start the home buying process with ease!