If the client is buying the house with the appliances, they want to make sure that they all work. We operate all appliances and advise that they are operational at the time of the inspection.
Whether they are in the SOP as not required to test them or not, we give our clients service that is above and beyond the normal inspection. We will even place soap in the dishwasher so as to not waste a load when tested. If there are clothes in the washing machine and the owner or tenant is present, we ask them to please run the machine with soap.
I feel that if you don’t run the machines, you are not giving your client a full inspection. I may be part of the minority on this one, but it is my client’s who appreciate the extra services.
I agree with you wholeheartedly.
I have always inspected the appliances. I also tell the homeowner that I will be testing the appliances and if they have any laundry or dishes that need washing, now is a good time.
I have had several ask “Do you do windows or cook dinner”?
When I did test the microwaves, I used a glass of water for 2 minutes then took the waters temperature. I carried a glass for just this purpose in the event that there were no glasses at the home. I also used it to check the ice and water dispenser in the refrigerator.
When you step outside your Standards of Practice, you may be stepping outside your scope of insurance coverage as well.
Plumbing “shut off Valves” are not tested so you don’t have more work to do, they often do not work as they are seldom used. You turn them on and they may not shut off, or may leak around the valve stem from internal corrosion.
Do you test water heater blow down valves as well?
Come to my house and break my valves (and flood my house) and you’ll be paying for it and some extra so you will remember not to do that again. Get your answers ready for when your asked; why did you elect to ignore your industries Standard of Practice?
“To provide my client a better service” is not a good one, seeing that in the process your ignoring the expectations of the “Seller”.
But then who gives a crap about the seller?! Right?
The SoPs are a minimum and can be exceeded. There is something called “standard of care” which is what others, reasonably would do.
In the market that I work, appliances are almost always inspected.
Under no circumstances would I recommend checking any shut off valve. Way back in 1995, I closed a main shut off valve to a home. When I tried to open it, it broke. I called a plumber and it cost me $150.00 for the repair.
The Sellers were a little bit upset when they got home and there was no water and a service truck was in the front yard, but, after the repair was done, they were happy to have a new valve. They also called me for the inspection on the home they were buying, so it all worked out.
Each inspector is free to do what they think is best, but I would caution you to think about what may go wrong and if it is worth testing.
We are not talking about shut off valves and TPRs. We are talking about testing appliances. Do you check the main shutoff valve on the exterior of the house. No because it many not open or close properly since the homeowner probably didnt know where it was for the past 25 years and the handle is rusted.
SOPs are meant as a baseline for what we are supposed to do. Do you perform a visual inspection for mold or chinese drywall or wood rot? Those are extra services that we look at every single day and don’t skip over them.
If you are properly doing your job, your insurance will not have any issues with what is done.