Download the free “Inspection Checklist for the Electric and Gas Range, Cooktop, and Oven.”
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Excellent checklist. A few things worth noting according to the NEC which may differ from other codes:
Check the power supply to the electric range. A dedicated 240-volt branch circuit outlet (minimum 40 amperes) must be installed within 3 feet (914 mm) of the electric range appliance. It’s common to find a double-pole 50-ampere breaker at the panelboard connected to a 6-3 wire labeled “Range.” Modern ranges will have a 4-wire cord plugged into a 4-prong outlet located behind the appliance. Refer to 2024 IRC 3702.10.1.
The branch circuit in only required to be a minimum of 40 amps when the range has a kW rating of 8¾ or more. There are electric ranges that have lower kW ratings and are code compliant on a 30 amp circuit. {210.19(A)(3)}
If the cord and plug/receptacle combination are serving as the disconnecting means for the range (typically they do) then the receptacle must be located at the base of the range accessible by removing the bottom drawer. {422.33(B)}
210.19(A)(3) Household Ranges and Cooking Appliances.
Branch-circuit conductors supplying household ranges, wall-mounted ovens, counter-mounted cooking units, and other household cooking appliances shall have an ampacity not less than the rating of the branch circuit and not less than the maximum load to be served. For ranges of 8¾ kW or more rating, the minimum branch-circuit rating shall be 40 amperes422.33(B) Connection at the Rear Base of a Range.
For cord-and-plug-connected household electric ranges, an attachment plug and receptacle connection at the rear base of a range, accessible from the front by removal of a drawer, shall meet the intent of 422.33(A).
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Thanks, @rmeier2. Checklist updated with recommendations.
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None of which may apply depending on the code cycle and municipal adopted code of the home inspected.
Bringing a home up to current code is an upgrade. May or may not be an issue or concern but most likely to be dismissed by the agent.
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Two points:
1: We do not care what the agents think. Period.
2: As home inspectors, we should inspect without any regard to the age of the home.
If there is a defect, particularly something that affects someone’s immediate safety, neither when the home was built nor the adopted code cycle should factor in our recommendations.
A home inspection is independent of age of the home, age of the system or component, current code cycle, currently adopted code, AHJ, and all real estate agents and contractors. Independent.
That is an entirely self defeating attitude. We need to get along with all the people we work with. Like it or not, agents are most often the first person involved in the real estate transaction and the last person out.
Which means simply we can never quote code. Period.
Many current code related items are not defects simply because they are not present in the home. The absence of smoke detectors in the home is noteworthy and should be in the report, the absence of fire sprinklers should not. Ironically sprinkler systems have been statistically proven to save more lives than smoke detectors. Both are upgrades.
In the same vein, lack of GFCI or AFCIs is not a defect. They may be a desirable upgrade, and should be mentioned, but neither is essential for the occupancy or “immediate safety” of an older home.
Agreed. We wrote an article about that: "Code-certified" claims can lead to unexpected problems for inspectors. - InterNACHI®
I’m interested to hear if other inspectors report missing GFCI-protection as “good.”
That’s an interesting “twist” of words. “Good” is your word not mine. I said it is not a defect. Since you’ve chosen to edit my words by context to imply something I did not say, I also said,
By the same token lack of tamper resistant outlets or grounded conductors in light switches is not a defect. No home inspector is in a position to decide which upgrades are essential and by omission which are not.
I disagree. A correction of a defect is not an upgrade.
Well-trained home inspectors (InterNACHI CPIs) should be able to decide what observed house conditions are defects, with a focus on material and major defects.
IF it’s a defect. If new code were to correct defects then all previous built houses are defective, including yours! Simply not true.
Doesn’t have anything to do with your “new code” as defects premise.
I disagree. Previously built houses that were built to code (back then) likely have, in my experience, defects. Old homes have defects simply because of their age, our building standards have improved, and we know better.
When a real estate agent says, “Because it wasn’t required by code back then, it’s not a defect now,” is missing the point.
A defect is a defect.
A lack of GFCI protection for all kitchen counter receptacles is a defect. We simply disagree on this point, and I’m not here to change your mind.
This inspection checklist has been updated today with the help of InterNACHI® members.
Very good refresher, it’s easy to get complacent over time!
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I agree, @efolsom.
- I recommend using the checklists to boost your inspection processes and report software.
- InterNACHI® checklists increase efficiency and reduce mistakes.
As an example, is every home without AFCI protection now considered defective? Major defect? Material defect? There are many examples that can be listed.
There is no one correct answer. For example if you replaced the electrical service in a house you would not be required to provide AFCI protection as part of the new service. If the house were new then it would be required so how do you report the lack of AFCI protection in existing houses?
I am asking Ben specifically because he is defining defects with his discussion with Bob.
Example here:
This will likely translate to training materials (which Ben is responsible for) and potentially the SoP. He also informs Bob that, based on the code, because “we know better,” these issues should be reported as defects. And doubles down on classifying these defects as material or major.
It has been a long-standing 'tradition" for home inspectors to recommend upgrades to comply with modern standards. Ben is challenging this.
I am simply asking Ben, based on his argument, if a home lacking AFCI protection is defective?
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I call out receptacles in the kitchen, bathroom, exterior, garage and unfinished areas of basements that lack GFCI protection as potential safety defects.
I don’t call out lack of AFCIs, at least not yet.
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I agree on the service upgrade, but IMO if a house is re-wired it should be brought up to current code, which would include fire (ionization & photoelectric) detectors, CO detectors, GFCI and AFCI protection.
Why? I can swap out a panel for $1000. You just added $10-13k to my project. This is why homeowners DIY so many things or live with unsafe features. At times, I think the electricians are in charge of the local AHJ.
We’re talking apples and oranges here. I’m not talking about upgrading the service or installing a new panel, I’m talking about re-wiring the entire home, say from AL to CU. IMO that’s when the branch system, including overcurrent protection, should be brought up to current code, which would include GFCI & AFCI protection along with updated detectors.