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- 1). Start at the bottom with the foundation. A well-constructed addition to a home should rest on a foundation that is equal to, or stronger than, the foundation of the original home. Inspect the joints where the new portion meets the old. Cracks or settling indicates the foundation may not be on a compacted base.
- 2). Drop a marble on the floor of a new addition. This only works if the floor surface is solid wood, linoleum or tile. If the floor is uneven, the marble will roll to one side. Drop the marble a couple of times to verify your results.
- 3). Look for cracks on interior walls. Although some settling is common in areas where the soil shifts, compare the walls of the new construction to those of the original. If there are more cracks in the new area, it should send up a red flag.
- 4). Check around new windows for signs of water damage. Incorrectly installed windows may leak. If you spot any damage, there may be even more inside the wall itself.
- 5). Turn on the faucets in the tubs and sinks. Hot and cold water should come out of the correct faucets or it indicates there may be other plumbing errors.
- 6). Call the local utility companies that provide service to the home. Unusually high bills mean there may be an insulation problem in the home.
- 7). Switch on and off all lights in the remodeled area and ask the owners if they experience tripped breakers. Faulty wiring results in lights and outlets that don’t work or breakers that constantly trip. Use your tester in the outlets.
- 8). Call the county appraiser and make sure the homeowner took out all the required permits before remodeling. In many areas, home improvement projects are subject to inspection during the construction phase so not having a permit on record could signal a problem.
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