Any structure that isn't the house, detached garage, shed, workshop, studio. Here's the catch most buyers don't know: standard home inspections exclude outbuildings (InterNACHI's Standards of Practice explicitly don't require them), so nobody looks unless you ask.
Scope-driven: $500 to $3,000 shed repairs; $3,000 to $8,000 detached-garage re-roof; rebuilds $20,000+MonitorStructureExterior
The quick answer
Any structure that isn't the house, detached garage, shed, workshop, studio. Here's the catch most buyers don't know: standard home inspections exclude outbuildings (InterNACHI's Standards of Practice explicitly don't require them), so nobody looks unless you ask.
A detached garage with a rotten roof, a heaved slab, or DIY wiring is a $5,000 to $20,000 surprise that closes with the house. "Power to the shed" is also a classic location for unpermitted electrical work, extension-cord-grade wiring, exposed splices, or a homemade subpanel deserve an ESA-verify flag. Structures tight to the property line raise setback and encroachment questions for your lawyer.
How to spot it
Compare the outbuilding's roof to the house's, they never re-shingle both. Look for cracked or heaved slabs, walls out of plumb, doors that don't close (frost movement), and any visible wiring inside. A listing that mentions a garage or workshop but never photographs it is telling you something.
What it costs
Scope-driven: shed repairs $500 to $3,000; a detached-garage re-roof $3,000 to $8,000 at roofing market rates; structural rebuilds $20,000+.
What to do
Tell your inspector explicitly if you want outbuildings included, it's an add-on, not a default. Ask about permits for any wired outbuilding.
Education and triage, not a home inspection. Casaroo flags what your photos show and reminds you the standard inspection skips these buildings. A contractor prices what it finds.
Common questions
What is Detached garages, sheds & outbuildings?
Any structure that isn't the house, detached garage, shed, workshop, studio. Here's the catch most buyers don't know: standard home inspections exclude outbuildings (InterNACHI's Standards of Practice explicitly don't require them), so nobody looks unless you ask.
Why does it matter for home buyers?
A detached garage with a rotten roof, a heaved slab, or DIY wiring is a $5,000 to $20,000 surprise that closes with the house. "Power to the shed" is also a classic location for unpermitted electrical work, extension-cord-grade wiring, exposed splices, or a homemade subpanel deserve an ESA-verify flag. Structures tight to the property line raise setback and encroachment questions for your lawyer.
How can I spot it?
Compare the outbuilding's roof to the house's, they never re-shingle both. Look for cracked or heaved slabs, walls out of plumb, doors that don't close (frost movement), and any visible wiring inside. A listing that mentions a garage or workshop but never photographs it is telling you something.
How much does it cost to fix?
Scope-driven: shed repairs $500 to $3,000; a detached-garage re-roof $3,000 to $8,000 at roofing market rates; structural rebuilds $20,000+.
Last reviewed 2026-07-10.
This guide is general education, not a home inspection and not advice for your specific property. Always
consult the appropriate licensed professional, and get a licensed home inspection before you remove conditions
or buy. Cost ranges are 2026 estimates that vary by region, size, and access; confirm specifics with a
qualified professional.