What We Look For (And What We Don’t): Substandard Workmanship — When DIY Goes Too Far

Let’s set the record straight: I’m not here to enforce building codes or verify that every single screw, bracket, or pipe fitting meets a manufacturer’s specifications.

But when I walk into a home and see crooked tile, exposed wires, plumbing that’s held together with duct tape, or makeshift deck supports... I start paying attention. Because even if something technically “works,” sloppy work is almost always a sign of deeper issues hiding out of sight.

Sloppy Now Usually Means Trouble Later

I’ve inspected enough homes to know that where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire. And in this case, the smoke looks like:

• Unpermitted renovations – Additions that don’t match the rest of the home, no visible permits, or finish work that looks rushed.
• Improper material use – PEX plumbing where it doesn’t belong, duct tape on electrical junctions, or wall anchors barely holding cabinets.
• Structural shortcuts – Joists cut to run plumbing, headers missing under doorways, or decks built with the wrong fasteners.
• “Innovative” repairs – Like wood shims stacked under a water heater or roof flashing made out of roofing shingles.

This isn’t about perfection—it’s about patterns. If the workmanship I can see looks untrained or careless, I can’t promise that what I can’t see is any better.

What I’m Looking For—And What I’m Not

• ✅ I’m looking for: visible signs of poor workmanship, structural shortcuts, or safety hazards that indicate future risks.
• ❌ I’m not responsible for: verifying compliance with manufacturer instructions or state building codes. That’s outside a general home inspection—and frankly, it would take weeks if I tried.

Walking the Fine Line

This is where a lot of folks misunderstand home inspections. If something looks okay but wasn’t installed to code, it may not show up in my report unless it’s clearly dangerous or functionally defective. Same goes for systems that technically “work” but are done in ways I wouldn’t trust in my own home.

I document what I can see and test what I’m allowed to. If you hire a specialist later and they find something that wasn’t in the report, that doesn’t mean I missed it—it means it wasn’t visible or wasn’t within the SOP for a general inspection.

That said, when I do see red flags? You can bet I’ll say so clearly. Because it’s not my job to make a house pass—it’s to make sure you’re not walking into a bad decision with your eyes closed.

FAQs: Sloppy Work and What It Means for Buyers

Can you tell if something was built to code?

No. Code compliance depends on jurisdiction, permits, and evolving rules. I can spot red flags, but verifying code requires permits and sometimes destructive access.

What’s the difference between poor workmanship and a code violation?

Plenty. Some work might be ugly but legal. Other work might function well but be improperly installed. I report visible problems, not code enforcement.

Why didn’t you catch XYZ that the contractor found later?

If it wasn’t visible, accessible, or within my scope (like wiring behind walls), it wouldn’t be part of a home inspection. That’s why we often recommend further evaluations.

How seriously should I take workmanship issues?

Very seriously. They’re often just the tip of the iceberg. Poor work usually means corners were cut—ones you’ll be paying for later.

→ Next up: Post 36: The Hidden Health Hazards of Hoarding and Excessive Clutter

← Previously: Post 34: Neglect & Deferred Maintenance — Long-Term Red Flags

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