3 min readThere are lots of things that make up a good home: curb appeal, updated kitchens and bathrooms, a functional floor plan, plenty of storage, and quality craftsmanship. However, even more important is the true structure of your home.
Experienced builders know cosmetic flaws don't necessarily determine whether a house is worth buying. When professionals talk about a home having "good bones," they're referring to the structural and design features that are difficult, expensive, or sometimes impossible to recreate.
Learn what industry pros look for when deciding whether a home has good bones.
The Foundation and Framing Are Solid
The first thing professionals evaluate, and you should too, is a home's structure. Things like large foundation cracks, uneven settlement, sagging floors, or bowed walls can turn what looks like a cosmetic renovation into an expensive structural repair.
Arpan Gupta, CEO of Fifty Seventh & 7th Luxury Homes, says he begins with "the things that are difficult and expensive to change.” That includes the foundation, framing, roof structure, drainage, and overall proportions of the house.
The Roofline Is Straight
Water is one of the biggest enemies of a healthy home. A functioning roof ridge will appear straight, not sagging or bowed. The ground should slope away from the home’s foundation to prevent pooling near the property.
When looking at a property, check for functioning gutters, proper drainage, and a dry basement or crawl space, as these also help protect the home's structure over time. If you don’t know how to spot these warning signs, look for items referencing these issues in an inspection report.
"Go across the street and look at the ridge of the roof,” says Liron Knot, owner of California Bay Builders & Remodeling. “It should be dead straight. Sagging or bowing means something's off in the framing or trusses, and that's structural, not cosmetic.”
The Layout Makes Sense
A house can be structurally sound yet difficult to renovate if the floor plan doesn't work. Dan D'Agostino, founder of Plan Architecture, says buyers should evaluate how the home functions, not just how it's built.
"I'm looking at two things: structural integrity and layout," D'Agostino says. He specifically looks at "ceiling height. Where the light comes from. Where the stair lands. Whether you reach a room through a hall, or only by walking through another room. Whether the rooms are big enough to take on a new use."
The Major Systems Have Been Maintained
Good bones aren't just limited to the framing, but also the major systems that make the house livable. For instance, updated plumbing and electrical systems, a maintained roof, and serviced HVAC equipment are all critical to check before purchasing a home.
"The biggest green flag is if a home has been consistently maintained," says Kevin Vander Hyde, vice president of Vander Hyde Services. "A home with a solid foundation, quality framing, reliable mechanical systems, and a practical floor plan can usually be transformed far more easily than one with beautiful finishes hiding major structural and systemic problems."
Has Easily Fixable Cosmetic Blemishes
Sometimes cosmetic flaws are an opportunity to score a deal on a new home. While less experienced home buyers will be scared off by these issues, experienced contractors know that this is a good opportunity to swoop in.
Experienced renovators typically worry less about outdated finishes than hidden structural issues. For instance, outdated cabinetry and faded paint are relatively straightforward upgrades compared to a failing foundation or a compromised roof. If the bones are strong, nearly everything else can be improved over time.
"Kitchens, bathrooms, and finishes can all be updated,” says Gupta. “Good scale and sound construction are much harder to manufacture after the fact."
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Alex Shoemaker is a writer and digital content strategist who covers home renovation, DIY projects, and design inspiration. He has written for multiple home improvement magazines and websites, drawing on his own experience renovating homes with his wife to create practical, inspiring content for homeowners and DIY enthusiasts alike.
