[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-substandard-workmanship-when-diy-goes-too-far\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-substandard-workmanship-when-diy-goes-too-far\/","headline":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Substandard Workmanship \u2014 When DIY Goes Too Far","name":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Substandard Workmanship \u2014 When DIY Goes Too Far","description":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Substandard Workmanship \u2014 When DIY Goes Too Far Let\u2019s set the record straight: I\u2019m not here to enforce building codes or verify that every single screw, bracket, or pipe fitting meets a manufacturer\u2019s specifications. But when I walk into a home and see crooked tile, exposed wires, plumbing that\u2019s held together with duct tape, or makeshift deck supports... I start paying attention. Because even if something technically \u201cworks,\u201d sloppy work is almost always a sign of deeper issues hiding out of sight. Sloppy Now Usually Means Trouble Later I\u2019ve inspected enough homes to know that where there\u2019s smoke, there\u2019s usually fire. And in this case, the smoke looks like: Unpermitted renovations \u2013 Additions that don\u2019t match the rest of the home, no visible permits, or finish work that looks rushed. Improper material use \u2013 PEX plumbing where it doesn\u2019t belong, duct tape on electrical junctions, or wall anchors barely holding cabinets. Structural shortcuts \u2013 Joists cut to run plumbing, headers missing under doorways, or decks built with the wrong fasteners. \u201cInnovative\u201d repairs \u2013 Like wood shims stacked under a water heater or roof flashing made out of roofing shingles. This isn\u2019t about perfection\u2014it\u2019s about patterns. If the workmanship I can see looks untrained or careless, I can\u2019t promise that what I can\u2019t see is any better. What I\u2019m Looking For\u2014And What I\u2019m Not \u2705 I\u2019m looking for: visible signs of poor workmanship, structural shortcuts, or safety hazards that indicate future risks. \u274c I\u2019m not responsible for: verifying compliance with manufacturer instructions or state building codes. That\u2019s outside a general home inspection\u2014and 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\u2019t installed to code, it may not show up in my report unless it\u2019s clearly dangerous or functionally defective. Same goes for systems that technically \u201cwork\u201d but are done in ways I wouldn\u2019t trust in my own home. I document what I can see and test what I\u2019m allowed to. If you hire a specialist later and they find something that wasn\u2019t in the report, that doesn\u2019t mean I missed it\u2014it means it wasn\u2019t visible or wasn\u2019t within the SOP for a general inspection. That said, when I do see red flags? You can bet I\u2019ll say so clearly. Because it\u2019s not my job to make a house pass\u2014it\u2019s to make sure you\u2019re 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\u2019s 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\u2019t you catch XYZ that the contractor found later? If it wasn\u2019t visible, accessible, or within my scope (like wiring behind walls), it wouldn\u2019t be part of a home inspection. That\u2019s why we often recommend further evaluations. How seriously should I take workmanship issues? Very seriously. They\u2019re often just the tip of the iceberg. Poor work usually means corners were cut\u2014ones you\u2019ll be paying for later. \u2192 Next up: Post 36: The Hidden Health Hazards of Hoarding and Excessive Clutter \u2190 Previously: Post 34: Neglect & Deferred Maintenance \u2014 Long-Term Red Flags Curious what it\u2019s like to schedule your own home inspection with us?","datePublished":"2025-07-15","dateModified":"2025-07-15","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/author\/curtis\/#Person","name":"Kloc Curtis","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/author\/curtis\/","identifier":6,"description":"Curtis Kloc is a U.S. Navy veteran and seasoned entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in business development, inspections, and technical systems. He has built and sold multiple six- and seven-figure home inspection and environmental services companies, including HERO Inspections & Environmental and Elite Analysis. Curtis is the founder of Inspections Over Coffee, a nationally expanding franchise known for its white-glove service, inspector training systems, and streamlined operational workflows.\r\n\r\nWith deep roots in nuclear engineering from his time as a Machinist Mate and Engineering Laboratory Technician aboard two U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, Curtis brings unmatched precision and discipline to every business he runs. He is certified and licensed in home inspection, mold assessment, asbestos inspection, and environmental testing, and is a member of NACHI since 2006. Curtis now leads AI automation initiatives through Nexation.ai, helping businesses eliminate busywork and refocus on what matters most\u2014client relationships, growth, and results.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1630069397452.webp","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1630069397452.webp","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Person","name":"Curtis Kloc","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/site-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/site-logo.png","width":512,"height":512}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/home-inspecion-blog-29.png","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/home-inspecion-blog-29.png","height":1024,"width":1024},"url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-substandard-workmanship-when-diy-goes-too-far\/","about":["Uncategorized"],"wordCount":632,"articleBody":"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Substandard Workmanship \u2014 When DIY Goes Too FarLet\u2019s set the record straight: I\u2019m not here to enforce building codes or verify that every single screw, bracket, or pipe fitting meets a manufacturer\u2019s specifications.But when I walk into a home and see crooked tile, exposed wires, plumbing that\u2019s held together with duct tape, or makeshift deck supports... I start paying attention. Because even if something technically \u201cworks,\u201d sloppy work is almost always a sign of deeper issues hiding out of sight.Sloppy Now Usually Means Trouble LaterI\u2019ve inspected enough homes to know that where there\u2019s smoke, there\u2019s usually fire. And in this case, the smoke looks like:  Unpermitted renovations \u2013 Additions that don\u2019t match the rest of the home, no visible permits, or finish work that looks rushed.  Improper material use \u2013 PEX plumbing where it doesn\u2019t belong, duct tape on electrical junctions, or wall anchors barely holding cabinets.  Structural shortcuts \u2013 Joists cut to run plumbing, headers missing under doorways, or decks built with the wrong fasteners.  \u201cInnovative\u201d repairs \u2013 Like wood shims stacked under a water heater or roof flashing made out of roofing shingles.This isn\u2019t about perfection\u2014it\u2019s about patterns. If the workmanship I can see looks untrained or careless, I can\u2019t promise that what I can\u2019t see is any better.What I\u2019m Looking For\u2014And What I\u2019m Not  \u2705 I\u2019m looking for: visible signs of poor workmanship, structural shortcuts, or safety hazards that indicate future risks.  \u274c I\u2019m not responsible for: verifying compliance with manufacturer instructions or state building codes. That\u2019s outside a general home inspection\u2014and frankly, it would take weeks if I tried.Walking the Fine LineThis is where a lot of folks misunderstand home inspections. If something looks okay but wasn\u2019t installed to code, it may not show up in my report unless it\u2019s clearly dangerous or functionally defective. Same goes for systems that technically \u201cwork\u201d but are done in ways I wouldn\u2019t trust in my own home.I document what I can see and test what I\u2019m allowed to. If you hire a specialist later and they find something that wasn\u2019t in the report, that doesn\u2019t mean I missed it\u2014it means it wasn\u2019t visible or wasn\u2019t within the SOP for a general inspection.That said, when I do see red flags? You can bet I\u2019ll say so clearly. Because it\u2019s not my job to make a house pass\u2014it\u2019s to make sure you\u2019re not walking into a bad decision with your eyes closed.FAQs: Sloppy Work and What It Means for BuyersCan 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\u2019s 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\u2019t you catch XYZ that the contractor found later?If it wasn\u2019t visible, accessible, or within my scope (like wiring behind walls), it wouldn\u2019t be part of a home inspection. That\u2019s why we often recommend further evaluations.How seriously should I take workmanship issues?Very seriously. They\u2019re often just the tip of the iceberg. Poor work usually means corners were cut\u2014ones you\u2019ll be paying for later.\u2192 Next up: Post 36: The Hidden Health Hazards of Hoarding and Excessive Clutter\u2190 Previously: Post 34: Neglect & Deferred Maintenance \u2014 Long-Term Red FlagsCurious what it\u2019s like to schedule your own home inspection with us?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Substandard Workmanship \u2014 When DIY Goes Too Far","item":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-substandard-workmanship-when-diy-goes-too-far\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]