| Common Defect One Fresh Paint: Home inspectors | | | | Common Ceiling Stains: All stains are indications of an |
| (unless working for Realtors) are not stupid. Fresh | | | | active leak unless corrective actions have been taken. |
| paint is frequently and usually applied to cover up | | | | As home inspectors we lack crystal balls. If stains |
| another defect. | | | | exist the owner and or contractor must tell you in |
| Common Electrical Hazards: | | | | writing what was done to cure the problem and |
| I have been to thousands of homes and can not tell | | | | when or you are taking an open ended risk. |
| you why or how some did not have a major | | | | Common Roofing defects: A common problem found |
| electrical fire. Many have such poor wiring and lucky | | | | during home inspections is problems with the roofing. |
| owners (no fire yet)that I feel like asking the owner | | | | I swear people would rather sell a home than replace |
| to go out and pick some lottery numbers for me. Do | | | | a roof. Roofing removal and replacement can cost |
| not play with electricity, you can cause a fire or | | | | $8,000o or so for an average home. The money is |
| electrocute you or others. | | | | well spent because if the roofing is not changed |
| Common Defect Rotted Wood Under Plumbing | | | | before it fails expensive problems are just about |
| Fixtures: | | | | guaranteed to occur. |
| A water stain or two under a bathroom can cost | | | | Common Building Violations Additions and Alterations |
| $15,000 or so to fix. If there is a stain under | | | | Without Permits: |
| bathroom assume it is active till proven otherwise | | | | Houses are seldom built perfect. Beware of those |
| and keep in mind additional latent damages must be | | | | who tell you all the work in the home was performed |
| expected to exist. | | | | by craftsman who pulled all the permits and dealt |
| Common Defect Water Intrusion Below Grade: | | | | with all the difficult municipal inspectors. I am sure |
| Water in the basement is bad. It can create high | | | | there are many great municipal inspectors out there. I |
| moisture conditions conducive to mold and damage | | | | find it hard to believe the only ones the owner tells |
| storage. Usually surface water is the problem. | | | | us about are the strict ones. I also find it hard to |
| Installation of gutters, downspouts and improving | | | | believe they only used the best contractors. If there |
| drainage away from the home are ways to solve | | | | were that many great contractors out there I would |
| may problems. Installation of basement perimeter | | | | still be a construction project manager. |
| drains should be a last resort, not a quick fix. | | | | |