Appliance Inspection
Though most inspection companies do not inspect appliances as part of their standard scope of inspection, we can include a basic inspection of all (built-in) kitchen & laundry appliances as an add-on service with our home inspections.
As part of our appliance inspection we briefly test the basic function of the appliances as a courtesy, and include photos of the appliances in our report for inventory purposes. We may use our infrared camera to confirm the presence of heat in dryers, dishwashers, stoves, ranges and ovens.
Please note: A home inspection is a visual, non-invasive inspection ie. we do not disassemble the equipment or comprehensively test various operating features, nor do we repair the appliances. We do not inspect for or report cosmetic damage. We do not test for performance or predict future performance. We do not have time to test most or all of the settings and modes of each appliance. Appliances can fail at any time, so it's important to test your appliances on possession day as they should be in the same (working) condition as when you viewed the home.
Our Appliance Testing
Procedure (Typical Steps)
Dishwasher Testing - Example
Verify door opens & closes properly
Test racks to ensure they glide in & out smoothly
Verify that racks, spray arms and cutlery holders are present
Run the appliance on a “quick cycle”
Listen for normal operating sounds
Confirm presence of power, hot water, agitation (water spraying inside)
Check floor in front of dishwasher with our hands or paper towel for visible leaks
Please note: We do not do a comprehensive test of the dishwasher using detergent, or with dishes, cutlery or glassware loaded. We do not test multiple settings or different modes, which would take hours to complete. We do not test the performance or effectiveness of the cleaning of the dishwasher ie. whether the dishwasher cleans well/very well/poorly. We do not remove kick plates or covers to inspect beneath or behind the appliance. We do not inspect for or report scratches, dents, or cosmetic damage.
Standard appliances typically tested:
Fridge
Freezer
Range/Oven/Stove
Microwave
Dishwasher
Garburator
Washer
Dryer
Our appliance check is intended to verify whether built-in appliances “work”, or are operational in a basic way, not that they are working completely in every situation, or working “perfectly” as intended or desired.