As you embark on your dream house search, you may find those advertising home additions such as in-law suites and home offices. Even if the additions are not advertised outright, it is important to know whether the work was done by the owner or professional home builders. Here, review signs indicating the work was not professionally-done to make informed buying decisions.

How Can I Tell If A Home Addition Is A DIY Or Professional Job?

Exterior Signs

Observe the exterior of the home addition. Professional work is never obvious, rather the addition looks like a natural part of the house. This refers not only to the work itself, but the location of the addition. In a rancher home, for example, the addition would be at the back of the house to create an L-shape. Conversely, an addition on Cape Cod home appears as an offset instead of a continuous part of the building. This means the addition doesn’t match “roof to roof” because it creates an odd result.

Other exterior signs to look for include the placement of the shingles. Roof shingle work by professional home builders is always aligned instead of curving in different directions. This is most obvious with three-tab shingle systems featuring picks, or separations, between them. DIY three-tab jobs feature picks that appear to “run off” the roof and disappear instead of creating vertical lines.

Also, look at the siding to see if it matches the rest of the home, as well as the foundation. A home with wooden siding and a vinyl or aluminum siding addition was likely done by the owner, while DIY foundation installations appear cracked and uneven.

Interior Signs

Check the interior for clear signs of amateur instead of home builder work, such as the appearance of the sheetrock. Most modern homes feature sheetrock instead of drywall, which should look smooth and blemish-free instead of featuring material pulls or depressions. DIY work may also include obvious nails jutting out from the wall. Check the wall plums as well, as walls should be perfectly straight instead of leaning out or in.

A framing square is a valuable tool in determining DIY versus pro home builder work. Place this construction tool in a corner to see if the room is square and therefore features even measurements. A bedroom measuring 10x10, for example, was professionally-done. Any uneven measurements usually point to amateur work. The marble test also helps—simply place a marble on the floor. If it rolls around, the flooring and possibly the foundation is uneven.

Also, ask about the sewer and plumbing lines, which should be connected to the original house, and check for leaks under the sinks. Remember that a home inspector can help you review a home addition.
 

At Walker Construction Company, Inc., our home builders provide home additions among other remodeling services that keep clients throughout Dothan, Ozark, Eufaula, Enterprise, and the surrounding areas of Alabama happy. We are a second-generation, fully licensed and insured company offering commercial as well as residential services. Call (334) 790-2706 today to schedule a free estimate or visit us online for more service information.