You have to check everything on a flip. Even when things are "brand new!" So said the ad. After the unsecured dishwasher slid out from under the "brand new!" granite counter tops, and it's drain line wasn't connected, and the granite splash block wasn't glued to the wall or caulked to the counter top, and the range fell forward without an anti-tip, and the disposal cable had no connector clamp and the cable hung loosely in a loop composed, probably, of 2' of extra cable, and the compression fitting on the drain line wasn't compressed enough to prevent a leak, and a drawer opened 2" into the handle of the range, a row of kitchen cabinets that were not level left to right, and the light over the kitchen sink didn't light, and the knobs on the kitchen cabinets were not even closely aligned - YOU KNOW, THE USUAL STUFF IN A "BRAND NEW!" KITCHEN, I also saw this:
And this is just one example of what I saw under all the "brand new!" cabinets. The others were the same!
Now I don't know about you, but that just doesn't seem very strong to me.
How long did they intend for this to remain like this?!
Do you know everything that is wrong here?
1. Wrong screws.
2. Wrong placement of said wrong screws.
3. Wrong distance between the wrong screws - 12". Most likely not even hitting a stud behind.
4. No collar around the said wrong screws.
5. No understanding of kitchen cabinet installation.
6. No professionalism.
7. No Golden Rule.
BUT TOTALLY EXPECTED FROM FLIPPER!
My recommendation: when the ad says "brand new!," get a home inspection anyway. Don't get me started again -- you already know why...
Most of these guys give the real Flipper a bad name!
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC 
Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia.
Office (703) 330-6388 Cell (703) 585-7560
Just like anything else some are good and some are not. It shouldn't take too long to determine if this was a cost cutter just trying to maximize profit.
We see lots of pretty houses turn ugly when the inspector shows us where to look.
Bob - it doesn't take long to find most of that stuff!
Gwen - and I hear that inspectors "blow deals!" I know a lot of houses that do, but not inspectors...
Val - people don't realize how heavy a kitchen cabinet can become. Drywall screws simply aren't made for that.
Jay, This sounds far worse than your average DIYer would do on their own home. Ignorance (or negligence) to this degree is just scary. But what the hey, it's NEW!!
So very true Jay. "Totally Renovated" to me means a challenge to find out how well it was done - unless I already know and respect the work of the "flipper" involved. Just because you have a few bucks to invest in a renovation project doesn't mean you have the knowledge and ability to do so. Far too many don't. And beyond looking pretty on the surface, lots of little things hide in dark corners. Great post.
Bliz - they were going to get to it right after lunch.
OK, maybe I'm being facetious...
Vance - most of my worst problems come with flips. New construction is a close second! It is a big game for me now, seek and ye shall find.
Jay, NOTHING about a flip surprises me... except quality.
Bob -I am continually amazed, but seldom surprised anymore!
Jay,
That cabinet will never fall. Until I put my great-grandmother's meat platter from about 1890 into it, along with a couple of other irreplaceable pieces....
You sure have access to a lot of nightmare stuff.
Jay I agree with your last statement completely. There are some really good flippers out there....but there are more hacks than good ones.
Mike - my fun days never end. Other inspectors are jealous, I just know...
Damon - let me know when you find one!
Just amazing! It is always less expensive to do it right the first time but I guess not everyone received that memo!
Kathryn - they got the memo and simply ignored it. This is too common!
Ya found another dumb one. Wonder if they screwed it up themselves, or used to "discount" contractor.
It's too bad, they had already put most the money into it. Just a couple more bucks or hours to finish it right.
It seems everything was new
Read the fine print ...proper installation extra.
Another client, glad for YOUR services. Always hire a professional
Enjoy the day
Darrin - this kitchen was typical and only one problem in a slew of problems throughout the house!
Don - I still have not heard, but I hope they backed off of this house. That end of things isn't my purview though.
Jay - All I can say is, "What the flip were they thinking?"
Or not thinking John. Like I said to someone else, tongue in cheek, they were going to get to it right after lunch.
Hi Jay, another demo of why home inspections are so important to the buyers. Thanks for sharing.
Dale - we can do demos any day of the week! The beat goes on...
Jay, I have a house under contract right now that was in foreclosure after someone tried to flip it. Thank goodness I had a plumber on hand when the home inspector came, because they hadn't sealed half of the new plumbing work! When they turned the water on to inspect, it was a very exciting time!
Virginia - did you have the feeling that the plumber would be needed? I have never showed up at an inspection with the convenience of the trade present when that very thing went wrong!
Jay - I've learned to always have a plumber present when the water is turned on at a foreclosure. I don't want to have to pay for water damage, and besides that, plumbing issues will have to be fixed anyway if the client really wants the house.
That kitchen was obviously designed for a certain type of buyer. Probably blind and not very bright. Or at least that may have been what the schmucks who did the flip were hoping.
Hi Jay, You're right as rain on this one! We have a flipper group down here that tout "better than new" ...total shoddy workmanship and coverups.... but with all the glam,,, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances etc. These inspections take so much longer too! grrrrr! jay
I will agree with Don MacLean, everything was brand new... installation not included! lol
Virginia - that is a good practice! Personally I have seen more than one disaster.
Jim - that could have been Uncle Bob's kitchen! There's something out there for everyone!
Jay - the reports can be aggravating, but the inspections bring a lot of jollies! I agree with you, it is disgusting, especially reading the ads!
Lydie - those cabinets were of a really cheap quality too...
Hey Jay, I hear ya. Brand new is not all that it is cracked up to be. I see it a lot especially from the "DIY", Mr. handyman.
You have to look at flips and remodels really carefully Clint, as, no doubt, you know!
Jay, those potential buyers would really have to like the house to proceed, and even then need to have two aces in the whole to help them. First a buyer's agent that can write up an inspection report that would get some type of action to clean that up or maybe a financial concession, then the name of a qualified contractor to come in and fix it anyway.
I see drywalls screws be used improperly all the time. I don't know what that is (cheap maybe?), but people seem to try to use them for everything.
Ed - there are a lot of ways to approach it I understand, but this was just one of about 100 things!
Justin - those screws are ubiquitous and people think they are a generic screw for any application! Not so...
I've found most of those same defects on new construction homes... but not the screws.
I love new construction Reubs. And when the supervisor is presented with the list from the buyer, they say one of two things - that's already on my list to get done or they're scheduled for this afternoon for that.
Ummm....
Oh those screws are scary! Yes, new and shiny does not mean well done. Re blogging!
Thanks Coral! You look at that and just want to load that cabinet with fine china!
Exactly! Don't you always want to ask "So why the hell wasn't it done before the inspection?"
Then when you come back for the re-inspection and it's still not done, and it's still on their list for that afternoon, it's time to just shake your head disgustedly.
Nothing says "brand new" like a house falling apart at inspection!
Reuben - the supervisors run away before I get there and the list gets passed to them AFTER the inspection, so I don't actually hear what they have to say except through my clients.
Jeremy - in this construction environment, I think we are supposed to be grateful for what we get!
Another flaming flip flop. You might say you didn't get 'screwed' on this one. Sadly it isn't true, or level. I could go on but you don't want me to.
There are a few double entendres that could be introduced here Robert!
A few, Jay. There's a whole slew of them. I find cabinets mounted with drywall screws all the time in brand NEW homes.
For sure Erby. I do lots of new home inspections with the same thing. Here is a post about one:
http://activerain.com/blogsview/1504076/how-not-to-install-a-kitchen-cabinet
But even the location of the screws in this post is incorrect.
I always insist on a home inspection, on all types of properties, condominiium apartments, subdivision homes, custom rural properties and even new homes. Jay, I am going to re-blog this great information for my audience. Thanks for sharing.
You know, half-a*$ed work like is just annoying! People just don't care and that is really sad!
Chris - good for you, I think that is good policy! And thanks for the reblog!
Barbara-Jo - that is glaringly bad work! Gee, even I found it...