Totally agree—inspectors usually zero in on the obvious stuff first. But honestly, even if your DIY fix looks neat, I've seen inspectors get picky about things like pipe slope or vent placement, especially in older homes. Had a client once whose beautifully done copper piping got flagged just because the inspector didn't like the angle of one joint...go figure. Definitely worth double-checking local codes beforehand, saves headaches later.
Hmm, I've found inspectors aren't always that picky about angles if the overall workmanship looks solid. Had an inspector once compliment my quirky DIY vent setup in our 1920s bungalow—guess it just depends who you get on inspection day...
Interesting point about inspectors varying so much. I've had similar experiences—some inspectors barely glance at my DIY plumbing, while others scrutinize every joint like they're solving a mystery. Makes you wonder if there's an unofficial standard or if it's purely personal judgment. I once had an inspector flag me for something minor, like the slope of a drainpipe being slightly off, even though it functioned perfectly. Had to redo it just to tick a box.
I'm curious though...do you think inspectors are more lenient with older homes because they expect quirks and creative fixes? Maybe they're stricter with newer builds since everything's supposed to be by-the-book from day one. Or is it just luck of the draw who walks through your door on inspection day?
"do you think inspectors are more lenient with older homes because they expect quirks and creative fixes?"
In my experience, yes—inspectors often approach older homes with a slightly different mindset. I've owned a historic property for years, and I've noticed inspectors tend to focus more on safety and functionality rather than strict adherence to modern code. They're usually aware that older homes weren't built to today's standards, so they're looking more for practical solutions rather than textbook perfection.
That said, it still varies quite a bit from inspector to inspector. Some have flagged minor issues that others completely overlooked. I once had an inspector point out the lack of proper venting on some old plumbing work done decades ago, even though it functioned perfectly fine for years. Had to retrofit vents just to satisfy the inspection criteria.
My advice is always to communicate clearly and respectfully with your inspector—ask questions about their concerns and explain your reasoning behind certain DIY fixes. Often, they'll appreciate your proactive attitude and willingness to address their concerns practically rather than defensively.
Yeah, from what I've seen inspectors do seem to give older houses a bit more wiggle room on certain things. When I was renovating our place (built in the 1930s), I had this DIY plumbing setup under the kitchen sink that worked fine—at least I thought it did. But when the inspector came through, he pointed out the way I'd connected some of the pipes wasn't up to modern standards. He wasn't harsh about it, just casually mentioned it could cause issues down the line.
I asked him if it was something urgent, and he said not really urgent but definitely worth fixing when I had time. Didn't even mark it as a critical issue on his report. But then another inspector who came for a different reason later made a bigger deal out of it and insisted I fix it immediately. So yeah... it really depends on the person's style or their own experiences, I guess.
Best thing I've learned is just to be open and listen carefully. Most inspectors don't expect perfection, especially with older homes, but they do want things safe and reliable.
