Bring a few details from your own home

You do not need to arrive with every decision made. A little preparation simply makes it easier to tell whether the spaces work for you.

Which home and floor plan does this showhome represent?

Ask for the model name, floor plan and address of any home you are considering. Confirm whether the showhome has the same room arrangement, ceiling heights and features. A mirrored plan or a different lot can change how the home works for you.

Keep the plan beside you during the tour. Mark where the offered property differs, rather than relying on your memory of the furnished rooms. Cami’s model floor plans can help you prepare for that conversation.

Which features are included in the quoted price?

Ask the representative to distinguish included features from optional additions and display items. Discuss the appliances, flooring, cabinetry, countertops and lighting, along with window coverings and air conditioning.

Request the specification sheet for the property being quoted. If you want an addition, ask for its price in writing and whether it is still available at the home’s current construction stage. The Cami Standards page is a useful starting point for questions about the specifications.

Will my furniture and belongings fit?

Bring measurements for the bed, sofa, dining table and other pieces you intend to keep. Check the usable wall space and allow room to open doors, pull out chairs and move through the kitchen.

Look beyond the staged furniture. Open closets and cupboards, and identify where coats, linens, cleaning supplies and seasonal items would go. Ask about garage dimensions if you need space for a vehicle, shelving or outdoor equipment.

What can you tell me about the common wall?

For an attached home, ask the builder to explain the wall between dwellings. Request the construction information that applies to the property and ask what supports any statements about sound control.

Find out which rooms sit along the wall on both sides, if that information is available. A quiet visit gives you an impression at that time; it does not establish what you will hear once both homes are occupied.

What is included outside, and what work may come later?

Discuss the driveway, exterior steps, landscaping, fencing and any deck or patio. Ask which items form part of the purchase and which you would arrange separately. Confirm the lot dimensions and outdoor layout for the actual home.

If weather or construction timing means work will follow possession, ask how the scope and timing will be recorded. For a St. Albert purchase, it is useful to understand what outdoor areas will be ready for use when you move in.

What heating, ventilation and energy information is available?

Ask about the heating system, ventilation equipment, windows and insulation. Find out which equipment comes with the home and how you will learn to operate and maintain it.

If an EnerGuide evaluation is available for the property, request the label and report. Ask whether the information relates to that home or a different example. Use documented specifications to compare properties instead of relying on an estimated utility saving.

What does the basement price or suite option include?

Ask whether the basement is unfinished, finished for use with the main home or offered with a suite option. If you see a side entrance, find out exactly what it serves and what work is included.

For a proposed suite, request the scope and approval information for the address. A separate entrance or rough-in alone does not establish that a suite is approved. Confirm any intended use with the municipality before relying on it in your plans.

When could I take possession, and what remains to be completed?

Ask about the current construction stage and the possession terms for the specific home. Find out what work remains, when a walkthrough can take place and how the builder communicates changes.

For an immediate-possession home, confirm the available date directly. Discuss the written terms before booking movers or ending a lease. Keep any outstanding seasonal work separate from the question of when you receive the keys.

How are warranty and after-possession concerns handled?

Request the warranty provider’s name, the coverage documents and the start date that applies to the property. Ask how to report a concern, who receives it and where to find the process for an urgent issue.

Alberta’s public registries allow buyers to check builder and property warranty information. Keep the warranty policy and reporting instructions with your home records, and review the coverage and exclusions before buying.

Which documents should I review before deciding?

Ask for the current quote, property specifications, applicable plans and proposed purchase agreement. Raise any unanswered questions about ownership, shared areas, fees, deposits and changes to the home.

Have your lawyer review the documents that affect your purchase. Alberta’s new-home purchasing guidance explains title checks and legal review. If a feature or promise affects your decision, confirm how it is recorded in the agreement.

Turn the tour into a useful comparison

Before leaving, repeat back the details that could change your decision. For example, confirm whether the quoted home includes the same appliances you saw and whether the proposed possession date leaves enough time for your move.

Organize the information into three groups so your next conversation has a clear purpose.

Frequently asked questions

Get familiar with Cami before your visit