Durable and Low Maintenance Renovation Projects That Pass Inspection

A home inspection is a thorough visual examination, conducted by a certified agent, that provides an accurate summary of the overall condition of a home. The inspection is meant to give both buyers and sellers an objective, in-depth look at the quality of the property.
Using this information, buyers gain a better understanding of the issues that may arise as a result of homeownership. They may also be able to use this information to negotiate the price of the home with the seller.
For sellers concerned about what a forthcoming inspection may reveal, there are a number of durable and low maintenance renovation projects that will not only win the approval of home inspectors but also add value to the home.
1. Replace Old Floors with Hardwood Alternatives
Many people equate home inspections with the underlying components of the home not visible to the average observer, such as the foundation, framing, plumbing, insulation, and electrical systems. While these are all essential components of an inspection, the visible features of the home, such as the floors, walls, ceilings, doors, and windows, will all be under scrutiny, as well.

When examining these structures, inspectors will look for signs of extreme wear; mold, dust, or pest damage; fire hazards; and factors that could hinder future renovations.
For homes that have floors in questionable condition, an upgrade to solid or engineered hardwood is advisable prior to inspection. Hardwood meshes well with many interior design themes and does a good job of withstanding wear and tear. Hardwood will also add between 60 and 75% return on investment to the sale price of the home.
2. Upgrade the Roof with Composite Shingles
A roof examination is one of the most essential components of a home inspection. Most people do not have the time or expertise to determine the state of a roof’s quality, so a professional report will go a long way in influencing buyer opinion.

Many common roofing materials, such as wood shakes, concrete roof tiles, and asphalt shingles, will develop cracks, blisters, and separate from the base material, especially if they are more than 15 years old. If the inspector discovers any of these issues, an upgrade to composite roofing shingles can help ensure the value of the home.
3. Install a New Garage Door
Most home inspections do not make any demands or adhere to any building codes. They simply reveal issues that may arise with the home in the future. Therefore, problems with the garage are very much pertinent to a home inspection.

The torsion springs used to raise and lower a garage door typically have a lifespan of about 10,000 cycles or roughly seven years. A weakened torsion spring can not only be dangerous, but it can lead to imbalances that cause the door to not rest flush on the concrete.
By replacing the garage door prior to inspection, the homeowner can improve both the safety and curb appeal of the garage, especially when making the upgrade in conjunction with trendy garage door trim.
4. Add Polyiso Insulation to the Ceiling and Walls
Insulation quality has long been a focal point of home inspections. However, with many buyers becoming increasingly environmentally conscious, a home’s energy efficiency will face heavy scrutiny come inspection time. Adding a layer of quality insulation can help stabilize interior temperatures and reduce the home’s consumption of nonrenewable energy.

Conclusion
A home inspection is a visual examination meant to ensure the overall quality of a property. It checks the condition of all aspects of the home and alerts buyers to potential issues that may arise as a result of homeownership. For sellers concerned about red flags that may be revealed come inspection time, durable and low maintenance renovation projects such as the installation of hardwood floors, composite roofing shingles, a new garage door, and polyiso insulation are all ideas to be met with inspector approval.
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