Pulling back layers in a flipped older home, one homeowner discovered the original hardwood hadn't just been hidden.
As they shared on the r/centuryhomes subreddit, the boards had been sprayed with paint, scarred by saw cuts, and partly covered with plywood nailed down over them.
Here's what to know
They explained in a post on Reddit that photos from before the flip appeared to show hardwood beneath the carpet and gray flooring, giving them hope the wood could eventually be restored
When the owner finally started redoing the floors, they said the full extent of the damage became clear. Paint from the baseboards had been sprayed across the hardwood, the floor grates were painted where they sat, and plywood had been fastened over the wood and cut in place, leaving saw marks behind.
The post shared current images of the floors along with an older pre-flip photo. While the hardwood wasn't flawless in the earlier image, it appeared to be in better shape before the renovation work.
"I feel personally offended by it," a user reacted. "I get you're covering it but really? Not a single ounce of respect for 100 year old floors."
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
Other Redditors were similarly appalled.
One commenter summed up the reaction bluntly: "This is a crime."
More background
Cosmetic flips can conceal, rather than solve, deeper problems. When original materials are covered up or carelessly damaged, homeowners can pay later through repair costs, lost time, and unexpected renovation work.
Commenters shared their own stories of finding damaged wood under carpet or watching historic homes lose their character to trend-driven updates. One commenter suggested the logic behind the damage was likely simple: "Least amount of effort possible for them is what they'll do."
The original poster also indicated the flooring problem may not have been isolated, writing that the home's deck may have been an even bigger headache because "they didn't use a single screw in the whole thing."
What can be done?
Buyers considering flipped homes can look past fresh paint and trendy finishes. If possible, compare current listings with older photos, ask what materials were original to the house, and find out whether major work was permitted and who completed it.
Homeowners who already own a flip can document damage before starting repairs when seeking restoration quotes and deciding what can still be salvaged. Even floors that look rough may still be candidates for refinishing, depending on how deep the cuts, paint, or nail damage go.
Preserving durable original materials is often better for both homeowners and neighborhoods than replacing everything for a quick resale.
"Flippers do be flipping," the original poster lamented. "Truly I hadn't considered that they would have made the floors so much worse. I thought they'd just covered them."
Where can I learn more?
Homeowners have shared plenty of similar horror stories, from flips that damaged mature trees to remodels that stripped away a home's character.
• In California, a house flipper cut tree roots after a neighbor pleaded otherwise.
• An incredibly shocking ranch remodel turned a modest home into an object lesson in excess.
• In Highland Park, Texas, an unbelievable home remodel left before-and-after viewers stunned.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
