The old adage "you can't tell a book by its cover" also holds true when it comes to remodeling. It is unusual to find a home of any age that has not had minimal remodeling. It could be a room addition, kitchen or bathroom update, other structural and/or cosmetic modifications.

If you are considering buying a home that has had any remodeling be sure to inspect carefully beneath the surface in those areas that are affected.

Here are some indicators that suggest fundamental problems:

Cracks in the walls, ceilings, floors or foundation - Any cracks in the foundation should be cause for concern. Foundation problems can also translate into wide cracks elsewhere especially cracks radiating from the corners, windows or doors. They could indicate foundation movement or settling and fixing them can be rather expensive. Remodelers may patch cover everything else, but ignore the hidden defects…"out of site, out of mind."

Bouncy, sloping or "spongy" floors - All homes settle over time. But excessive movement or irregularity in tile or wood flooring is an indication that something is wrong with the supporting structure. All flooring should be solid under your feet.

Door and windows that don't open and close freely - This could be caused by normal settling, poor construction or by more serious foundation problems. What ever the cause, it could indicate expensive repairs are needed.

Wide open spaces - It is a popular practice among remodelers to combine smaller rooms into larger spaces. This practice can undermine the stability of the entire house if the remodeler removes structural or load-bearing walls. This condition can frequently result in sagging rooflines, ceiling or beams.

Permits and licenses - Ask for copies of the permits and for the name and license number of each contractor who has done work on the property. Avoid all properties where the work was not permitted or the contractor unlicensed.

Most common electrical problems - Some of the most common problems include: failure to update wiring when adding rooms or circuits; making dangerous electrical connections; and failing to add enough circuits to cope with today's electronics and appliances. This is most common in kitchen remodeling and room additions that will host electronics and computers. This will be most notable by breakers blowing when multiple electronics are turned on at the same time. Inspect and test any suspicious areas and all breaker boxes.

Be aware of the local market if:

"Flippers" have been active in your market - These investors who buy homes in hopes of reselling them for a quick profit are notorious for cutting corners on rehabs to boost potential profits.

Expert construction is costly - Competent and skilled tradespeople are expensive tempting homeowners to do-it-yourself or hire incompetent help.

Building code or licensing enforcement is lax - Substandard construction and incompetent and unethical contractors flourish in areas where no one is scrutinizing remodelers. Be sure that the contractor responsible for your project is licensed as a general contractor, not just a specialty working in a general capacity.

CALL IN A PRO

No matter how convenient or tempting it may be to save money by bending sound business practices, RESIST!

Have a professional look over the work prior to selecting your bid and through the entire remodeling process. Their eyes will pick up things that you will overlook. Think of their cost as added insurance coverage, the alternatives can be costly.