Do it yourself home remodeling is incredibly popular right now. Shows on HGTV and similar networks have many people interested in fixing up homes to flip. Unfortunately this does not always translate into quality work, even if it looks great on the surface. I was recently in a home that looked absolutely beautiful, but a closer look revealed more work to be done.
Even I’m not immune to the charm of new stuff, and this home had it all. My first thought going in was “this is going to be an easy inspection.” It had new siding, flooring, drywall, paint, trim, cabinets, counters, appliances, plumbing fixtures, and just about anything else cosmetic you can think of. First impression aside, it’s my job to do a complete inspection on every home, so I got to work. Check out the images below to see some of my findings.
The title defect – This outlet had hot and ground reversed, which is a shock hazard!
This dryer vent was covered with new siding. Moisture rich air would be directed into the wall, creating a favorable environment for mold where it’s hardest to clean!
Speaking of mold, the attic had apparent growth. This was not confirmed with lab testing.
Landscaping made the roof hard to see from the ground. A closer look revealed unprofessional patch work…
…damaged shingles…
…and non-matching shingles. Based on the improper bond (my hand should not fit in there) the originals were probably taken by the wind.
Moisture was found in the ceiling below the shoddy roof work. If you look closely you can see staining through the fresh paint slightly up and left from my hand.
Many remodel jobs are very well done by professional contractors or DIY fixer uppers that pay attention to every detail, however, there’s much more to a home than meets the eye. Many problems can’t be seen, such as incorrectly wired outlets, high spots on a roof, and painted over water damage. A professional home inspection can save you from finding these problems after it’s too late!
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