My mom is trying to sell her home. She had an old, small storage shed in the back of the 1/2 acre yard. An inspector included the shed in the inspection, and now the buyer wants my mom to pay for repairs on the shed. Should this even be included? What advice do you have?
Asked by Vanessa Q | Lockport, IL| 01-18-2023| 2,154 views|Selling|Updated 5 months ago
Whether a shed should be included in a home inspection can depend on the specific circumstances and the agreement between the buyer and seller. In general, a home inspection is meant to assess the condition of the property and any structures or systems that are permanently attached to the property. A shed that is in good condition and permanently attached to the property may be considered a part of the overall property and therefore included in the inspection. However, a shed that is in poor condition or not permanently attached may not be considered part of the property and therefore not included in the inspection. It is important for the buyer and seller to have clear and detailed agreements regarding what is included in the inspection and who is responsible for any repairs or maintenance. If there is any uncertainty, it would be best to consult with a real estate attorney.
This is a structure that would be traditionally included in the sale unless you state otherwise prior to listing the home.
Keith Jean-Pierre
Managing Principal
The Dapper Agents
Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA
If the shed is permanently affixed, it’s typically included in the inspection. Portable or non-permitted sheds may be excluded unless specifically requested.
If the shed is permanently affixed, it’s typically included in the inspection. Portable or non-permitted sheds may be excluded unless specifically requested.
I do agree with Mike. There are circumstances where the shed is included, and depending on the agreement with the inspector, it would be inspected. However, the seller may opt to leave the shed as a gift.
When there is any doubt, have your Attorney look over the contract.
Sounds like you are negotiating the inspections . Your agent should be advising you on what to do next. Either have the repairs done, or not and maybe the buyer do the repairs. Depending on what type of financing they have it could be a requirement for the loan.
This comes up more often than people think — and the answer is: it depends, but you still have control.
A home inspection is meant to evaluate the property and anything that’s considered part of it. In many cases, an outdoor shed can be included — especially if it’s permanent or adds value to the property.
However, here’s the part most people miss:
Just because it’s noted in the inspection doesn’t mean the seller is obligated to fix it.
Everything after the inspection is a negotiation.
If I’m advising a seller in this situation, I look at three things:
• Is the shed adding real value, or is it just an older structure?
• Was it marketed as a feature of the home?
• How strong is the buyer’s offer and overall deal?
In many cases — especially with an older shed — most of my clients nowadays choose one of these options:
• Offer a small credit instead of repairing
• Push back and let the buyer decide if it’s worth it
• Or simply agree to remove the shed entirely
The key is to stay focused on the big picture:
Don’t let a minor structure derail an otherwise solid deal.
At the end of the day, inspections are about information — not automatic obligations.
A strong agent helps you navigate what actually matters and what doesn’t.