[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-kitchen-laundry-appliance-checks-during-a-home-inspection\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-kitchen-laundry-appliance-checks-during-a-home-inspection\/","headline":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Kitchen & Laundry Appliance Checks During a Home Inspection","name":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Kitchen & Laundry Appliance Checks During a Home Inspection","description":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Kitchen & Laundry Appliance Checks During a Home Inspection Technically, most inspection standards\u2014like NACHI and ASHI\u2014don\u2019t require appliance testing. They\u2019re considered \u201cpersonal property\u201d and outside of scope. But here\u2019s the thing: appliances break, leak, or just stop working all the time. They\u2019re also expensive. That\u2019s why I inspect and test them anyway\u2014and I document everything. Our approach at Inspections Over Coffee is simple: if the appliance is permanently installed, plugged in, and safe to test, we\u2019re going to make sure it works. What I Actually Test and Document Dishwasher \u2013 I run a full or partial cycle, checking for leaks, drainage, door seal, and proper startup. I take a video. Stove and Oven \u2013 I test all burners and the oven at bake temperature. I document temperature rise on digital readouts and take photos of ignition (gas or electric). Microwave \u2013 I test basic function with a cup of water and confirm it spins, heats, and stops properly. Washer and Dryer (if installed) \u2013 I turn them on briefly to check operation and listen for abnormal noise or vibration. If connected, I document that they powered up and cycled. Refrigerator (if present and running) \u2013 I note interior temps, leaks, or visible damage\u2014but I don\u2019t make temperature guarantees. What I\u2019m Looking For\u2014And What I\u2019m Not \u2705 I\u2019m looking for: appliances that power on, run basic cycles, don\u2019t leak, and don\u2019t present safety risks. I take video\/photo proof of each one tested. \u274c I\u2019m not testing: appliance diagnostics, Wi-Fi features, water line pressures, or internal temps beyond what\u2019s visible. And if it\u2019s unplugged or clearly unsafe? I leave it alone and note it. Why This Goes Above Industry Standards Just to be clear: NACHI, ASHI, and most state boards don\u2019t require appliance testing. They classify most appliances as \u201cbeyond scope.\u201d But we believe that ignoring them is a missed opportunity to protect the client. If the dishwasher leaks or the oven doesn\u2019t turn on, that\u2019s something a buyer deserves to know\u2014before they move in. FAQs: Appliance Testing During Home Inspections Do all home inspectors test appliances? No. Many don\u2019t. Industry standards don\u2019t require it, and some inspectors skip them entirely. At Inspections Over Coffee, we test and document them as long as they\u2019re connected and safe to operate. What if the appliance is unplugged? If an appliance is unplugged or appears unsafe, I don\u2019t test it. I document the condition and let the client know. Sometimes sellers disconnect units intentionally. Can you guarantee the fridge is cold enough or the oven is accurate? No. I verify that they power on and respond to controls, but I don\u2019t calibrate temps or guarantee long-term performance. That\u2019s outside the scope of a home inspection. Do you include appliance issues in the inspection report? Yes. I note what was tested, whether it operated normally, and include video or photo proof. It\u2019s included in the digital report along with system notes. \u2192 Next up: Post 27: The Fireplace and Chimney \u2014 What\u2019s in Scope for Your Inspection \u2190 Previously: Post 25: Inspecting Garage Safety \u2014 More Than Just a Door Test Curious what it\u2019s like to schedule your own home inspection with us?","datePublished":"2025-07-10","dateModified":"2025-07-10","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/author\/curtis\/#Person","name":"Kloc Curtis","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/author\/curtis\/","identifier":6,"description":"Curtis Kloc is a U.S. Navy veteran and seasoned entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in business development, inspections, and technical systems. He has built and sold multiple six- and seven-figure home inspection and environmental services companies, including HERO Inspections & Environmental and Elite Analysis. Curtis is the founder of Inspections Over Coffee, a nationally expanding franchise known for its white-glove service, inspector training systems, and streamlined operational workflows.\r\n\r\nWith deep roots in nuclear engineering from his time as a Machinist Mate and Engineering Laboratory Technician aboard two U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, Curtis brings unmatched precision and discipline to every business he runs. He is certified and licensed in home inspection, mold assessment, asbestos inspection, and environmental testing, and is a member of NACHI since 2006. Curtis now leads AI automation initiatives through Nexation.ai, helping businesses eliminate busywork and refocus on what matters most\u2014client relationships, growth, and results.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1630069397452.webp","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1630069397452.webp","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Person","name":"Curtis Kloc","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/site-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/site-logo.png","width":512,"height":512}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/home-inspector-blog-23.png","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/home-inspector-blog-23.png","height":736,"width":1312},"url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-kitchen-laundry-appliance-checks-during-a-home-inspection\/","about":["Uncategorized"],"wordCount":556,"articleBody":"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Kitchen & Laundry Appliance Checks During a Home InspectionTechnically, most inspection standards\u2014like NACHI and ASHI\u2014don\u2019t require appliance testing. They\u2019re considered \u201cpersonal property\u201d and outside of scope. But here\u2019s the thing: appliances break, leak, or just stop working all the time. They\u2019re also expensive. That\u2019s why I inspect and test them anyway\u2014and I document everything.Our approach at Inspections Over Coffee is simple: if the appliance is permanently installed, plugged in, and safe to test, we\u2019re going to make sure it works.What I Actually Test and Document  Dishwasher \u2013 I run a full or partial cycle, checking for leaks, drainage, door seal, and proper startup. I take a video.  Stove and Oven \u2013 I test all burners and the oven at bake temperature. I document temperature rise on digital readouts and take photos of ignition (gas or electric).  Microwave \u2013 I test basic function with a cup of water and confirm it spins, heats, and stops properly.  Washer and Dryer (if installed) \u2013 I turn them on briefly to check operation and listen for abnormal noise or vibration. If connected, I document that they powered up and cycled.  Refrigerator (if present and running) \u2013 I note interior temps, leaks, or visible damage\u2014but I don\u2019t make temperature guarantees.What I\u2019m Looking For\u2014And What I\u2019m Not  \u2705 I\u2019m looking for: appliances that power on, run basic cycles, don\u2019t leak, and don\u2019t present safety risks. I take video\/photo proof of each one tested.  \u274c I\u2019m not testing: appliance diagnostics, Wi-Fi features, water line pressures, or internal temps beyond what\u2019s visible. And if it\u2019s unplugged or clearly unsafe? I leave it alone and note it.Why This Goes Above Industry StandardsJust to be clear: NACHI, ASHI, and most state boards don\u2019t require appliance testing. They classify most appliances as \u201cbeyond scope.\u201d But we believe that ignoring them is a missed opportunity to protect the client. If the dishwasher leaks or the oven doesn\u2019t turn on, that\u2019s something a buyer deserves to know\u2014before they move in.FAQs: Appliance Testing During Home InspectionsDo all home inspectors test appliances?No. Many don\u2019t. Industry standards don\u2019t require it, and some inspectors skip them entirely. At Inspections Over Coffee, we test and document them as long as they\u2019re connected and safe to operate.What if the appliance is unplugged?If an appliance is unplugged or appears unsafe, I don\u2019t test it. I document the condition and let the client know. Sometimes sellers disconnect units intentionally.Can you guarantee the fridge is cold enough or the oven is accurate?No. I verify that they power on and respond to controls, but I don\u2019t calibrate temps or guarantee long-term performance. That\u2019s outside the scope of a home inspection.Do you include appliance issues in the inspection report?Yes. I note what was tested, whether it operated normally, and include video or photo proof. It\u2019s included in the digital report along with system notes.\u2192 Next up: Post 27: The Fireplace and Chimney \u2014 What\u2019s in Scope for Your Inspection\u2190 Previously: Post 25: Inspecting Garage Safety \u2014 More Than Just a Door TestCurious what it\u2019s like to schedule your own home inspection with us?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Kitchen & Laundry Appliance Checks During a Home Inspection","item":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-kitchen-laundry-appliance-checks-during-a-home-inspection\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]