Roseville MN · Property TypeFlip Property Inspection (Renovated for Resale)
Recently renovated homes sold for resale require careful inspection. Cosmetic finishes can hide structural, electrical, and plumbing work that was completed without permits or proper inspection.
What makes this property type different to inspect?
Flip properties have been recently renovated and listed for sale within 12 months of the renovation. The cosmetic finishes are typically excellent — fresh paint, new flooring, updated kitchen and bath — but the underlying mechanical work varies dramatically by who did the flip.
Flip-specific inspection concerns:
- **Permit verification**: Major work (electrical, plumbing, structural, HVAC) should have city permits. We document permits visible at the property and recommend the buyer verify with the city.
- **Hidden over-cosmetic-finish defects**: New paint over moisture damage, new flooring over uneven subfloor, new drywall over inadequate framing repair.
- **Mechanical system age vs. cosmetic age**: New cabinets and new countertops don't mean new plumbing. We document the actual age of mechanical systems vs. the cosmetic.
- **Electrical work quality**: DIY electrical work is common on flips. We verify breaker compatibility, panel torque, GFCI/AFCI compliance.
- **Plumbing work quality**: PEX-vs-copper mixed installations, missing trap arms, unvented branches are common findings.
- **HVAC duct modifications**: Renovations often modify ductwork. We verify static pressure and damper position after modifications.
Inspection scope adjustments:
- We document what's clearly recent (renovation) vs. what's clearly old (mechanical systems).
- We thermal-map walls in major renovation areas for hidden moisture.
- We verify GFCI/AFCI protection in all required locations.
- We pull representative outlets and switches to verify wiring quality.
- We recommend the buyer obtain permits documentation from the city.
Typical scope: - 3-4 hours on site - 80-120 page report - Sewer scope recommended - Radon test recommended - Thermal scan of major renovation areas
Which defects do we look for most often on this property type?
How do I schedule an inspection on this property type?
Call (651) 666-5602 or use the free instant quote calculator. Same-week scheduling, same-week digital report.
Ready for a Roseville Home Inspection?
Same-week reports. Thermal imaging included. Era-specific findings for 1955–1975 ramblers, lakefront walkouts, and new-construction townhomes.