Signs That a House Has ‘Good Bones’

If you’re looking to buy a house, you want one with good bones. ‘Good bones’ means it has all the pieces in place to be a long-lasting, healthy home that won’t cause you any serious problems or need any major repairs down the line. 

It can be hard to find a home with all of these qualities but if you do, you might want to snatch it up before someone else does. In case you’re in the market for a new home, here are some signs that a house has good bones.

1. A Concrete Frame

The foundation is where it begins for a home. A home cannot have good bones without a solid foundation. Look for a foundation that is level, free of cracks or damage, and that is as airtight as possible. ICF concrete block homes tend to possess all these qualities, as opposed to wood-frame houses which are much more prone to leaks and other problems.  

2. A Recent High-Quality Remodel

If you find a home that’s had a recent remodeling job done with high-quality materials, this is a sign of good bones. Durable, valuable materials like new quartz countertops with one of the most popular quartz countertop colors, for instance, are likely to last for quite a while and not break down or require maintenance of any kind. 

Another example of high-quality remodeling materials that signify good bones could be new, rustic siding. This type of siding is stylish and durable compared to vinyl siding which is cheap and easily damaged. 

3. Good Shingles

When it comes to the roof, you need good shingles if you want ‘good bones’. A home with shingles that are either brand-new or highly durable is a sure sign of good bones. This can mean fresh new asphalt shingles that are perfectly installed, maybe with some polyiso roof insulation underneath for good measure. 

It could also mean a set of durable synthetic shingles like synthetic cedar, for example. These shingles don’t have to be brand-new because they’re so durable that their toughness can make up for a year or two of previous usage.

4. A Clean Layout

Having an open layout that’s easy to navigate is another sign of good bones. Steep staircases, narrow corners, doors opening into each other, and rickety HVAC ductwork are all bad signs and should be avoided if you want to find a home with good bones. You should be able to easily move furniture around and even add on rooms if you so choose, without it being extra difficult. 

Find the Perfect Home with These Tips

It can seem impossible to find the perfect home that won’t give you any problems down the line and will allow you to easily remodel and switch things up as you see fit. The only surefire way to ensure you get a home like this is to check for all the signs of good bones we’ve listed here. 

If you can find a home with all or even some of these qualities, you should consider snagging it. Once you do, you can live stress-free and modify your new home as you wish without running into roadblocks.

Matt Lee is the owner of the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.