Looking to buy a flipped home? You should ask to see receipts first.

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Looking to buy a flipped home? You should ask to see receipts first.
TikTok home inspector Bryan Standley reveals hidden problems in flipped houses.@bryanstandley/TikTok
  • Home inspector Bryan Standley has become TikTok-famous for roasting flipped houses.
  • In his videos, Standley highlights ways that house flippers can slip up and cut corners.
  • A lack of receipts for work done on a house could indicate costly hidden problems, Standley said.
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If you're looking to buy a recently renovated home, make sure you ask to see receipts first.

A lack of receipts for work done on a house can be a sign that a home has not been properly renovated and may require costly repairs in the future, TikTok-famous home inspector Bryan Standley told Insider.

When licensed and qualified tradespeople work on a home, they usually provide a receipt for the work performed, according to Standley, whose videos have been liked more than 1.1 million times since he joined TikTok in January 2020.

"Being a house flipper does not automatically make a person qualified to perform every type of work a home needs," he told Insider. "Be sure that any work done by the flipper or their in-house crew was within their wheelhouse and they used professionals when necessary."

Standley says one of the most common problems he encounters on the job is improperly installed items, like dishwashers that are incorrectly connected to garbage disposals, causing drainage and flooding issues.

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In one video, Standley said issues like these are so prevalent that he carries towels with him during his inspections.

@bryanstandley

Reply to @myemail36 stuff leaks. I also carry towels. #homeinspector #homeinspection #kcrealestate #kansascity #inspectkc

♬ original sound - Bryan Standley

Typically, dishwashers are the last element of a kitchen to be finalized, Standley said, and might be overlooked if a renovator is trying to save time or doesn't know what they're doing.

"The flooring, cabinets, countertops, and plumbing all have to be in place before the dishwasher can be installed," he said.

If a dishwasher is simply not installed, the home buyer would need to make a service call to the plumber, which could cost around $200 depending on their location, Standley told Insider.

Repairing floors damaged by drainage and flooding issues can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars for a few boards to $20,000 if the damage is extensive enough, according to HomeAdvisor.

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While Standley often shares tips to help future home buyers save money, his main recommendation is to hire a qualified home inspector, since there are "hundreds, if not thousands of things that we're keeping an eye out for."

To see more of Standley's videos, follow him on TikTok at @bryanstandley. You can learn more about his home-inspection business on his company website, Inspect KC.

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