Shopping for a house is an thrilling journey but it surely usually comes with surprises through the property inspection. From sneaky leaks to electrical quirks, the most typical dwelling inspection issues embody structural injury, roof and plumbing points, outdated electrical panels, HVAC considerations, water injury, termites, security hazards, and drainage issues.
Regardless of should you’re searching in Beaverton, OR, Moonachie, NJ, or Scranton, PA, this Redfin information is right here that will help you spot these purple flags early so you may transfer ahead with confidence and peace of thoughts.
Frequent dwelling inspection points
Throughout a house inspection, sure points have a tendency to point out up extra usually than others. Whereas some could also be minor, many can affect security, consolation, or the price of sustaining a house. Listed here are the ten commonest dwelling inspection issues inspectors ceaselessly uncover.
- Structural points
- Roof points
- Plumbing points
- Aluminum wiring
- Dated electrical panels
- HVAC programs
- Water injury
- Termites
- Questions of safety
- Drainage issues
Crimson flags caught throughout dwelling inspections
Whereas regular put on is ok, main points affect negotiations, closing, and buy selections. Right here’s what you are able to do about these dwelling inspection points.
>> Learn: Residence Inspection Assets for Homebuyers and Sellers
1. Structural points
Structural issues are costly to repair and may point out critical basis points. They affect a house’s stability, security, and resale worth. If unaddressed, the injury can worsen, resulting in larger restore prices and security dangers.
“Past security, essentially the most critical defects in a house are usually structural.” says Scott Johnson, 2025 president of American Society of Residence Inspectors. “When an inspector identifies a structural defect, it’s essential to find out whether or not it may be corrected by a professional structural contractor or if it requires the experience of knowledgeable engineer with a Residential Development specialization, often known as a structural engineer. Your skilled dwelling inspector may also help information these selections.”
What to search for: Giant cracks in partitions or ceilings, sloping or uneven flooring, sticking doorways or home windows, bowing or bulging basis partitions, and gaps between flooring and baseboards.
What to do:
- Rent a licensed structural engineer for a complete analysis
- Get quotes from contractors to estimate the restore prices
- Use the report back to renegotiate the acquisition worth
Estimated prices: The standard vary is $2,200 to $8,100, however prices can range considerably primarily based on the extent of basis injury.
2. Roof points
Roof substitute is commonly costly, and even newer roofs can have points because of poor set up or storm injury. A broken or getting older roof may cause leaks, mildew development, and excessive power payments.
What to search for: Shingles which can be lacking, curling, or cracking; seen sagging; indicators of water intrusion within the attic; extreme granule loss in gutters; and stained ceilings.
What to do:
- Ask for documentation on the roof’s age and previous repairs
- Rent a roofing contractor to evaluate the injury
- Request a roof certification or guarantee switch if obtainable
- Negotiate for repairs, a brand new roof, or a worth discount primarily based on situation
Estimated prices: The standard vary is $5,868 to $13,216 primarily based on measurement, pitch and materials wanted in your roof restore.
>> Learn: Ought to You Get a Roof Inspection Earlier than Shopping for a Home?
3. Plumbing points
Outdated pipes (galvanized metal or polybutylene) in older houses usually trigger expensive plumbing points like leaks, water injury, and mildew. Inspectors examine water stress, sluggish drains, corrosion, and indicators of water injury.
What to search for: Corrosion or discoloration round joints, low water stress, water spots on ceilings or underneath cupboards, sluggish drains, and strange sounds from pipes.
What to do:
- Have a licensed plumber conduct an in depth inspection if purple flags are discovered
- Search for indicators of outdated supplies and ask about previous leaks
- Guarantee water heaters, sump pumps, and waste strains are working
- Use the inspection outcomes to request replacements or credit at closing
Estimated prices: The standard vary is $180 to $600, however prices can hike as much as $4000 for main repairs.
4. Aluminum wiring
Aluminum wiring could be present in older houses from the Sixties and 70s however has since been discovered to pose a fireplace threat, particularly if not correctly maintained. It might probably broaden and contract greater than copper, which can result in free connections and overheating.
What to search for: Wires labeled “AL” or “ALUM,” shops and switches which can be heat to the contact, flickering lights, and scorched or discolored cowl plates.
What to do:
- Get an electrician to substantiate the presence and extent of aluminum wiring
- Ask if earlier house owners have put in copper pigtails or used particular connectors
- Issue the price of rewiring or security upgrades into your resolution
- Work along with your insurance coverage supplier to find out protection necessities
Estimated prices: The standard value to rewire a house from aluminum to copper can vary from $2,000 to $12,000, with the typical being $6,000.
5. Dated electrical panels
Outdated or overloaded electrical panels pose a security threat and will not meet fashionable energy wants. Inspectors examine amperage, situation, and code compliance, as some older panels and types are hearth hazards and may’t help new home equipment.
What to search for: Panels from manufacturers like Federal Pacific Electrical (FPE) or Zinsco, seen rust or scorching, use of fuses as a substitute of breakers, and inadequate amperage (lower than 100 amps for many fashionable houses).
What to do:
- Have an electrician examine the panel and circuit load
- Substitute outdated or unsafe panels with fashionable ones
- Make sure the system contains correct grounding and GFCI safety
- Ask the vendor to finish upgrades earlier than closing or present restore credit score
Estimated prices: The standard vary to improve or change {an electrical} panel is $800 to $4,000, although prices can rise if main rewiring or code updates are wanted.
6. HVAC programs
HVAC programs have an effect on consolation, air high quality, and power prices. An getting older system may have substitute, and poor upkeep may cause mildew or mud in ducts. Whereas inspectors examine perform, a full tune-up report is right.
What to search for: Weak airflow, inconsistent temperatures between rooms, seen rust or moisture across the unit, extreme mud in vents, and strange noises throughout operation.
What to do:
- Ask for HVAC service information, filter substitute frequency, and system age
- Rent an HVAC technician to guage any flagged points
- Request duct cleansing if air high quality appears poor
- Negotiate for repairs, cleansing, or full substitute if the system is failing
Estimated prices: The standard vary is $5,000 to $11,000, however putting in a brand new HVAC system with ductwork can vary between $7,000 to $16,000.
7. Water injury
Water injury, a typical dwelling inspection challenge, usually signifies leaks, poor drainage, or plumbing failures, resulting in mildew or wooden rot. Wall or ceiling stains can signify previous or ongoing issues.
What to search for: Stains or discoloration on partitions and ceilings, warped flooring, musty smells, mildew or mildew spots, and effervescent or peeling paint.
What to do:
- Use a moisture meter to examine suspect areas
- Rent a specialist to check for mildew if wanted
- Ask the vendor to point out proof of previous repairs
- Request remediation or negotiate a worth adjustment for potential mildew or rot
Estimated prices: The standard vary is $1,500 to $9,000, although bigger or extra extreme circumstances can exceed that.
8. Termites
Termites silently injury wooden, weakening a house’s construction. Typically, infestations go undiscovered till important injury happens. Termite inspections are essential in heat or humid climates.
What to search for: Discarded wings, pencil-sized mud tubes on exterior partitions or crawlspaces, sagging wooden, hollow-sounding beams, and tiny holes in drywall or baseboards.
What to do:
- Get an authorized termite inspection (usually included in a pest report)
- Ask the vendor for a termite bond or guarantee
- Require therapy if reside infestation is confirmed
- Request repairs for structural injury or wooden substitute
Estimated prices: The standard vary is $200 to $900, however repairs for termite injury can range broadly primarily based on how a lot wooden framing is affected.
9. Questions of safety
Questions of safety like lacking smoke detectors, defective railings, improperly vented home equipment, and electrical hazards are sometimes cheap to repair however essential for code compliance and move-in readiness.
What to search for: Unfastened or lacking handrails, open electrical packing containers, improperly put in shops or lighting fixtures, damaged locks, lacking GFCI shops close to water sources, and lacking smoke/carbon monoxide detectors.
What to do:
- Compile a full record of security considerations famous by the inspector
- Prioritize fixing something associated to fireside, electrical, or journey hazards
- Request the vendor deliver the house as much as code earlier than closing
- Price range for a security improve guidelines if the vendor received’t repair minor gadgets
Estimated prices: The standard vary to deal with frequent security considerations is $100 to $500, although advanced electrical or structural hazards can value as much as $60,000.
10. Drainage spots
Poor drainage is commonly neglected however can result in main complications like basement flooding, basis cracks, or soggy landscaping. Water ought to all the time be directed away from the house, and even small indicators of improper grading can escalate into expensive repairs.
What to search for: Pooling water close to the muse, erosion or naked soil underneath downspouts, mildew within the basement, flooded crawlspaces, or rust on the underside of the siding.
What to do:
- Enhance yard grading so water flows away from the muse
- Lengthen downspouts and guarantee gutters are clear and functioning
- Set up French drains or sump pumps if wanted
- Ask the vendor to deal with critical drainage points or decrease the value accordingly
Estimated prices: The standard nationwide vary for drainage enhancements is $300 to $9,500, however bigger initiatives like full basis drainage programs can value as much as $15,000.
>> Learn: Residence Inspection Assets for Homebuyers and Sellers
Find out how to stop frequent dwelling inspection points
“The highest 3 ways to stop or scale back threat are easy: upkeep, upkeep, and upkeep. If we don’t keep our houses, programs and buildings can fail over time,” Scott Johnson explains. “The perfect factor dwelling inspectors present is an unbiased evaluation of a house’s situation. Our Requirements of Ethics stop inspectors from engaged on houses we examine, which ensures we are able to supply honest, goal info with none potential battle of curiosity.”
FAQ for commonest dwelling inspection issues
1. What ought to I do if a house inspection reveals main points?
Begin by reviewing the total inspection report along with your actual property agent. From there, you may negotiate repairs, request credit at closing, or stroll away if the problems are too extreme and the vendor received’t budge.
>> Learn: Necessary Fixes After a Residence Inspection
2. Can I nonetheless purchase a home with issues discovered through the inspection?
Sure, many consumers transfer ahead after uncovering points—so long as they’re conscious of the dangers and prices. Some issues could be repaired or negotiated. Simply make certain you’re comfy with the situation of the house earlier than committing.
3. Who pays for repairs after the inspection?
It will depend on the inspection negotiation. In some circumstances, the vendor agrees to make repairs or supply a credit score. In aggressive markets, consumers might select to take the house as-is and deal with repairs later.
>>Learn: Who Pays for the Residence Inspection: Consumers or Sellers?
4. Ought to I get specialised inspections past the overall dwelling inspection?
If the inspector flags points like basis injury, mildew, or pests, it’s good to herald specialists. This may give you a clearer image of the restore scope and prices.
5. Can I again out of a purchase order after the inspection?
In case your contract contains an inspection contingency, sure. This provides you the choice to stroll away or renegotiate primarily based on the findings with out dropping your deposit.
