What are the most common home inspection horror stories?

One horror story is finding a major termite infestation during a home inspection. The wooden beams in the attic were almost completely hollowed out. It was a nightmare as it meant extensive and costly repairs.

In some cases, the builder might use unskilled labor. This can lead to a shoddy finish. For instance, the paint job might be uneven, or the tiling in the bathroom might be crooked. These are things that are not only aesthetically unpleasing but can also cost a lot to fix in the long run.

Abuse, both physical and emotional, is quite common. Foster children may be hit or constantly yelled at, leaving them scared and traumatized.

One common cause is hiring unqualified contractors. They might not have the proper skills or experience, like the ones who do a shoddy job with plumbing or electrical work. Another cause is cutting corners on materials. Using cheap and low - quality materials often leads to problems later, such as with flooring or paint.

Missing major structural problems, like foundation cracks. It can lead to huge repair costs for new homeowners.

The most common mistakes? Firstly, underestimating the problem. Some repairers think it's a simple fix when it's actually much more complex, leading to incomplete repairs. Secondly, not getting proper permits. This can cause legal issues later. And thirdly, rushing the job. Many horror stories involve workers trying to finish too quickly and making a mess of things, like the carpenter who built the slanted bookshelf.

The most common elements include the invasion of personal space. Your home is your private area, and when it's violated, it's extremely distressing. Darkness also plays a role, as many of these stories happen at night, adding to the horror. And the threat to life or property, which creates intense fear. For example, when the father was chased by the intruder, his life was in danger, and the family's property was at risk of being stolen.

Over - regulation is common. Like dictating what kind of curtains you can have inside your own home visible from the outside. It's an invasion of privacy.

Well, the most common new home construction horror story is probably the cost overruns. You start with a budget, but then there are 'unexpected' expenses popping up all the time. Contractors might say they found some unforeseen problems like bad wiring in the existing structure (if it's a renovation - addition project) or soil issues for the foundation. Also, miscommunication between the homeowner and the builder can be a big problem. The homeowner might have one vision in mind, but the builder interprets it differently, leading to a final product that's not what was expected.

One horror story is when people waived inspection for a house. They later found out that the plumbing was a mess. There were hidden leaks that caused mold growth, which was a huge and costly problem to fix.