Inspection of refrigerators

[Russel Ray]

My high-tech KitchenAid allows me to set the refrigerator temperature between
33°F and 41°F, inclusive. I prefer 33°F since it keeps the margaritas colder.

[staylor5]

I don't includ appliances either. That is crazy. If you ever owned an appliance you know that they most often break without warning.

[Scott K. Harris]

It worked when you inspected it. Things break.

[gbrasseur]

Hi all,

Good post going here. As a new inspector, I see posts like this and think "do I try and add no inspection on appliances to my report as well"? It seems with things that are not in a normal inspection (such as appliances), fireplace disclosures etc, where do you draw the line on disclosures and things covered and not covered in your report? It would be interesting to see sample reports that some of you veteran inspectors do!

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by gbrasseur

where do you draw the line on disclosures and things covered and not covered in your report?

I worked very closely with my real estate attorneys and insurance providers (E&O, GL, AD&D, Life, Workers' Comp) to determine what I would and would not do as part of my inspection protocols.

I would not dare make the attempt to make those determinations on my own, not even with the help of 9,500 NACHI members.

To see how I address disclosures, education, further evaluation, etc., check out SOLUTIONS, my Internet-based, educational, interactive report system.

[Scott C. LeMarr]

I always explain at the beginning of every inspection that "The Inspection is a snapshot of the house on the day of the inspection. I don't carry my crystal ball with me (always gets a smile). If the furnace works today that doesn't mean it won't quit tomorrow". I do finish with some reassurance that there should be tell tale signs if something is going to fail but you can never know. A fridge you can't really tell if the temps (I use the digital Themomoeter also) are OK the day you do the inspection.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by slemarr

I don't carry my crystal ball with me (always gets a smile). If the furnace works today that doesn't mean it won't quit tomorrow".

I like that. I'm adding it to SOLUTIONS, in my own unique writing style, of course.

[Scott C. LeMarr]

Happy to be of service! Oh and no charge (lol).

Scott

[jkormos]

I also include the make, model # and serial #, it has been know to happen that the nice Refrigerator that was in the kitchen was swapped out for the crappy one that was in the garage or basement and the nice one moved out with the previous owners. It has even happened that people have swapped out the plumbing fixtures.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by jkormos

I also include the make, model # and serial #, it has been know to happen that the nice Refrigerator that was in the kitchen was swapped out for the crappy one that was in the garage or basement and the nice one moved out with the previous owners. It has even happened that people have swapped out the plumbing fixtures.

In the course of my real estate career, I've had sellers remove just about anything that can be removed. Sometimes they replace it with crappy stuff, sometimes they don't. Depends on how much of a hurry they are in and where they are moving to, across the city or across the country.

That's also why I have a Free Appliance Package with most of my inspections. It provides the manufacturer's information on appliances--model numbers, serial numbers, BTU, capacity, etc.--as well as pictures and safety and maintenance tips and tricks.

[John Bowman]

I always tested the beer tap. I would end up throwing away the beer - yuk - and then try out the ice machine and the scotch. lolllling.

[jkormos]

John, the ice and scotch brilliant, I need to add that to my check list too

[Kevin R. Goff]

I say and do many of the things that have already been said. I typically inspect the kitchen appliancs near the end of my inspection at a time where my clients now know I'm doing a good job and I'm looking out for their best interest. By this time I've worked hard throughout the inspection to build trust and establish good communication. I can now say after I've inspected all appliances for "operation" at the time of the inspection that, "appliances are mechanical devices and subject to failure at any time. My verbal remarks and written remarks, in the report, about the appliances are good from now until I walk to my truck to leave. After that, you're on your own when it comes to the appliances."

I always get a chuckle, a smile, or some bantering back and forth. But again, I do this at the end. If I tried to do this in the beginning of the inspection it would set the wrong tone and wouldn't work the way it does at the end.

Like in everything I do when I perform inspections, I'm always doing and saying things during the inspection to emphasize my SOP, build trust, be likeable, demonstrate and explain, through explanations, the concepts of visible, accessible, at the time of the inspection, latent, warranty, etc. To me, COMMUNICATION with your clients at the time of the inspection is priority #1 and SOOOOOOOOO IMPORTANT.


Kevin