19 June Are Appliances Checked During A Home Inspection? June 19, 2023 By sma Home Inspection, Home Maintenance appliances, bathroom, kitchen, new homeowner 0 ARE APPLIANCES CHECKED DURING A HOME INSPECTION? June 19, 2023 | Home Inspection, Home Maintenance | kitchen, bathroom, appliances, new homeowner New homeowners and seasoned real estate experts know the value that comes with a home inspection. A home inspection is one of the most important steps in the home-buying process for families that want to ensure a safe and well-maintained house. However, for people that haven’t bought a home before, some of the specifics that go along with a home inspection may seem cloudy. Homebuyers should always feel free to ask their inspector questions about the scale and scope of their home’s inspection to best learn what is and isn’t checked. For those who have just begun their home search, or for those who are curious about the overall guidelines that most home inspectors adhere to, resources like the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors’ (InterNACHI) Standards of Practice can provide more specific detail about what a home inspector does. Home appliances are a major factor in the safety and functionality of a home, of course, so home-buyers are frequently concerned with how much insight they can expect in this area from their home inspection report. To answer the question simply, inspectors do look at most built-in home appliances. However, to learn what does and doesn’t reside within industry requirements, here is a quick breakdown of what to expect during your home inspection. What Does A Home Inspector Do During A Home Inspection? A home inspector’s primary focus during a home inspection is to identify safety concerns that might affect the homeowner negatively. An inspector’s unbiased perspective is pivotal to a homeowner’s ability to develop their own long-term home maintenance plan. Since it isn’t their job to sell or not to sell a home, the home inspector is charged with delivering a home inspection report, which serves as their professional opinion regarding the status of a home’s key systems based on their visual inspection. Home inspections consist of a full walkthrough of a property, primarily focused on: Structural integrity and condition of the roof Condition and functionality of any heating and cooling systems Signs of water intrusion and status of water management systems Presence of fire hazards Any other concerns with the home’s key systems In addition to these key systems, home inspectors will commonly perform visual inspections of many appliances that would be considered “built-in,” or the appliances that home sellers are unlikely to take with them to their new houses. Sometimes whether an appliance is considered “built-in” or not can feel cloudy. For some additional clarity, let’s list off a few of the more commonly inspected appliances and what exactly a home inspector will look for. Which Appliances Are Commonly Inspected? Much of a home inspector’s focus when it comes to appliances centralizes around the kitchen. Since a home inspection will include appliances that aren’t easily uninstalled, this means that features such as ovens, garbage disposals, and exhaust fans all should be checked for functionality and signs of damage. Ovens, for example, will usually be turned on, checked for additional functionality (lights, fans, etc.), and the temperature will be checked for accuracy. One appliance that may or may not be considered “built in” and therefore included in a home inspection is the refrigerator. If included, refrigerators will be inspected for seal integrity and for the cleanliness and functionality of their cooling coils. To know for certain whether your refrigerator will be inspected, just ask your home inspector for clarification in advance! Appliances that are usually checked with a standard home inspection include: Dishwashers Built-in microwaves Garbage disposals Electric or gas kitchen ranges, cooktops, and ovens Appliances generally not included: Clothes washers Microwaves Other easily unplugged/uninstalled appliances It is important to note that a home inspector isn’t an employee of a home appliance’s manufacturer and will be somewhat limited in their ability to diagnose issues. A home inspection is visual and non-invasive in nature, and your inspector will advise if further investigation beyond the scope of the inspection is needed. To learn more about how our professional, experienced home inspectors can help you during your home purchase, Contact National Property Inspections today! Comments are closed.