Am I required to remove supply’s under the sinks to inspect?
No, you are not, although I sometimes do so that I can verify proper conditions to the wiring into the garbage disposal.
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Required?
NO… but I often do remove some/all items for a better view of what’s really goin’ on under there.
If you do… ALWAYS take a before and after photo as a CYA!
If you don’t… ALWAYS take an “as observed” photo as a CYA!!
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That’s one of those items were a picture just shows you were there (CYA). You may or may not have to move items, do what you need to complete a thorough inspection.
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What State are you in?
Confusion, Denial, Shock, Disrepair…???
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Morning, Bobby. Pleasure to meet you.
You ask a very important question in my eyes. Moving items under sinks, closets or utility rooms.
SoP says: inspectors are not required to move personal items, furniture, equipment, plants, snow, ice, or debris that obstructs visibility. The inspection is visual and non-invasive, meaning areas hidden by stored items.
Prepare your PIA Personal Inspection Agreement.
(Please move personal items under sinks, water heaters, HVAC equipment, clothes in closets to the attic hatch that obstruct visibility or passage prior the inspection please.
Please insure all utilities are operational.
Leave locks unlocked or be prepared to supply the inspector with a working set of keys.
The inspection is visual and non-invasive, meaning areas hidden by stored items.) Thank you for your consideration and understanding.
XXX Home Inspection Services.
When required, I approach the vender or venders agent for written or verbal permission. I always smile and gladly help in any way.
Hope that helps, Bobby.
As a Pre-Inspection Agreement, you want the signature before the inspection.
PIA = Pre- Inspection Agreement. (Both parties know what is being done and for how much, beforehand.)
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Bobby, the cabinets under kitchen sinks and bathroom vanities are notorious for water leaks or damage from past leaks. If possible I run water in the sinks and look for active leaks, move what ever I needed to see the drain pipe configuration. Water leaks in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, around water heaters and condensation drains at HVAC units should be inspected very closely. It’s been my experience over the past 32 years 95% of all damage to a house is water related.
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Around here, the seller never sees the inspection agreement with the buyer, and 99% of the time we never communicate with the seller in any way. Many years ago, I tried getting listing agents to prepare sellers for the inspection, but didn’t have much luck.
I rarely remove under sink items. However, a few months ago, I removed an amazing amount of stuff from a closet to access the crawlspace. I have never had a seller complain about moving possessions to access the crawlspace or attic access even if I didn’t get it all put back precisely as I found it. These days, most sellers have gone through a few inspections, and understand the procedures, even if they may be annoyed when it happens to them, rather than for them.
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That is because in the Sellers eyes… they are paying the Realtor to handle the process.
What are they paying the Realtor for??? (Sound familiar)??
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Lo siento…by “both parties”, I meant the inspector and his/her client.
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Thank you, Larry. I was getting ahead of myself.
Pre-Inspection Agreement.
Thank you.