I met a roofer today, and he told me the wildest story. It’s the kind of story that makes you shake your head, but it’s also a lesson that every homeowner should hear—especially if you’re ever thinking about buying a house that’s been built or flipped recently.

Here’s what happened:

The Job That Should Have Stopped Before It Started

This roofer was hired to install a metal roof on a new build. Now, when it comes to metal roofs over livable spaces, it’s absolutely essential that the plywood sheathing beneath the roof is sealed and watertight. Another company had been hired to seal the roof, but they didn’t do it properly. Shortly after the job was done, leaks started appearing. And not just one or two—multiple leaks.

So, the roofer did what any responsible contractor would do: He told the homeowner-builder that he couldn’t start installing the metal roof until the leaks were fixed. Makes sense, right? Well, apparently not to the homeowner. Instead of dealing with the issue, the homeowner insisted the roofer get started immediately and threatened to hire someone else if he didn’t.

The Domino Effect Begins

Despite the roofer’s warnings, the homeowner-builder wasn’t listening. And it gets worse. While the roofer was up there working on the metal roof, a spray foam insulation company showed up, ready to start spraying the ceiling. The roofer once again stepped in and said, “Wait—don’t start. The roof isn’t sealed, and there are leaks. If you spray now, the insulation is going to get soaked.”

Thankfully, the insulation company listened and started packing up. But, of course, this didn’t sit well with the homeowner. He got angry, saying if the spray foam didn’t go in now, the drywallers wouldn’t be able to come in when scheduled. Again, the threat: “If you don’t start, I’ll get someone else.”

And Then It Rained…

As if the situation couldn’t get worse, it rained before the metal roof was fully installed. And you guessed it—the water leaked right through the unsealed roof and soaked the spray foam insulation.

Let’s break it down. The roof wasn’t sealed properly. The building wasn’t dried out before insulation was installed. And because of this, within just a few months, black mold is going to start growing on the plywood. It’s only a matter of time.

Why This Matters to You

Here’s the kicker: This house could end up being sold to someone like you. On the surface, everything might look perfect. But beneath the drywall, in the roof and insulation, there’s going to be mold and water damage that could cost a fortune to repair.

So what’s the takeaway? Always listen to your contractor’s advice—they’re there to make sure the job is done right. And if you’re buying a new or flipped home, get a good inspector or contractor to thoroughly check everything before you sign on the dotted line.

Because the last thing you want is to buy someone else’s disaster.