So, several appliances were included in your home purchase negotiation. When ordering a home inspection, you may wonder if home inspectors will check the appliances and, if so, what appliances the inspector will check or, more importantly, will not.

Home inspectors operate built-in appliances in the kitchen, including wall ovens, ranges, surface cooktops, built-in microwaves, dishwashers, and disposals. Home inspectors are not required to verify thermostats’ operation, all appliance features, and timers or to inspect removable appliances such as refrigerators, clothes washers, and dryers.

Most of the time, appliances such as refrigerators, clothes washers, and dryers may not be included in a home purchase. Many home sellers take these appliances with them to their new homes.

According to the ASHI Standards of Practice, home inspectors are not required to verify the following:

Appliance thermostats, including their calibration, adequacy of heating elements, self-cleaning oven cycles, indicator lights, door seals, timers, clocks, timed features, and other specialized appliance features.
Operate or confirm the operation of every control and feature of an inspected appliance. 1

However, additional appliances may be included in a home purchase if they’ve been negotiated. Appliances shouldn’t be viewed as a deal breaker. You shouldn’t just assume that all the appliances you see in the house are staying with the house. It would help if you got this in writing on your purchase offer sheet.

It’s important to understand what a home inspection includes.

Home inspectors look for structural, electrical, plumbing, and other safety issues. Here, we’ve compiled a list of some of the typical red flags during a home inspection.

However, it’s common for home inspectors to examine additional items. Suppose you request (and your home inspector agrees) that other appliances, such as clothes washers and dryers, be included in your home inspection.

I’ve inspected many clothes washers and dryers, while other home inspectors will not check them no matter what. Most home inspectors will check all appliances during the construction of new homes.

The absence of an appliance shouldn’t fail a home inspection. Most appliances are relatively simple to replace.

Which Appliances Are Included in Your Home Inspection?

The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Standards of Practice is the benchmark used by many state licensing boards and insurance companies. The information below is based on the ASHI Standards of Practice.

The home inspection standards of practice cover appliances such as the kitchen range, cooktop, wall oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, range hood, built-in microwave, and waste disposal.

It’s also important to understand that the inspection of these items is not an exhaustive inspection by an appliance expert. A home inspector will look at two main things when checking the appliances. These are:

Does the appliance operate as it should?
Are there apparent defects in the function of the appliance?

Which Appliances Are Not Included?

Home inspectors do not check countertop appliances such as microwaves, small refrigerators, clothes washers and dryers, central vacuum systems, and any other appliances that can be unplugged and moved quickly.

The ASHI SOP states that a home inspector shall inspect installed ranges, ovens, cooktops, built-in microwave ovens, range hood fans, dishwashers, and food waste disposals using normal operating controls.

Beyond the following statement, the inspector’s discretion governs what they do and do not inspect. It may surprise you that refrigerators are often excluded from a home inspection because they can be unplugged and moved quickly.

Your inspector will likely include a fridge in the home inspection report if it is in the kitchen. However, a refrigerator or freezer located in a garage is often excluded from the inspection.

Let’s dig a little deeper into the appliances a home inspector checks.

Do Home Inspectors Check Stoves, Cooktops, and Wall Ovens?

The kitchen is arguably one of the most critical rooms in a home. The kitchen is often the single most significant selling feature of a home. It is an FHA requirement for a house to have a range, wall oven, or cooktop.

So, will a home inspector check stoves, cooktops, or wall ovens? Home inspectors will inspect and operate installed ranges, wall ovens, and cooktops and document the inspection report results.

Some kitchens will have an electric or gas range, while others may have an electric or gas cooktop with a wall oven.

A range is a freestanding oven and cooktop in one appliance.
A wall oven is installed in a cabinet. These can come as a single or double appliance.
A cooktop is an appliance that consists of 4 or 6 electric or gas burners mounted on a kitchen countertop.

Under normal daily operating conditions, a home inspector will check for visual defects and verify the appliance works by operating the controls. This includes using the oven in the bake and broil modes and operating the burners on high.

Before operating the range, wall oven, or cooktop, the home inspector must visually inspect the appliance to determine its safe operation. The home inspector will need to check the following items:

Inside the oven for damage to the heating elements.
Check to make sure there is no damage to the burners.
Make sure there are no damaged or missing control knobs and controls.
The wall oven and cooktop are secured to their cabinet or countertop.
If the oven door operates properly, the door should not bind, scrape, or hit other objects. If the door drops hard when opening, the springs or hinges are likely damaged and unsafe to operate.
The condition of visible electrical and gas connections. The home inspector is not required to move the appliance to do this.
An anti-tip bracket should be installed in the range.
Check to ensure the oven door’s glass is not cracked or broken.
Check to ensure there is no damage to the seal around the oven door.
Check to make sure the range is visibly level.

Operating the Range, Cooktop, or Oven:

Run the oven broiler and bake elements for electric ovens to ensure they glow red at the highest temperature.
For electrical cooktops, operate all burner elements to be sure they burn red at the highest temperature.

Do Home Inspectors Check Dishwashers?

The dishwasher is a significant selling feature in a kitchen for most women (and secretly men). A good dishwasher frees up time by standing at a sink and washing dishes after cooking.

So, do home inspectors check dishwashers? Yes, the inspector will check the dishwasher’s overall condition, operate it using the controls, and report the results in the home inspection report.

However, a dishwasher that is not operating correctly can be a nightmare. A leaky dishwasher can cause water damage, mold, attract termites, etc. When checking a dishwasher, a home inspector will inspect for:

For evidence of water leaks or water damage to the floor and cabinet around the dishwasher.
The condition of the drain hose and the connection to the plumbing drain under the sink. The drain hose should be connected to the waste disposal connection port or the sink tailpipe with a connection port. The hose should be securely clamped. If the waste disposal is seized, the dishwasher may not drain properly.
The condition of the water supply line to the dishwasher. Is there a shut-off valve? The water supply line should be a flexible stainless steel connector, copper tubing, or material the dishwasher manufacturer recommends.
The water supply hose connection needs to be connected to the water supply with a shut-off valve. If the water is turned off in the dishwasher, it is likely off for a reason and should not be turned on for testing.
You should check that the dishwasher is level and securely installed on the countertop or cabinet.
Ensure the door operates appropriately without binding or scraping the countertop or cabinet. Is the seal on the door intact and in good condition?
The internal condition of the dishwasher. Is rust or other damage present inside the dishwasher?

When operating the dishwasher, the home inspector will check if the dishwasher fills up, uses a washing cycle, and drains properly.

Do Home Inspectors Check Microwave Ovens and Exhaust Fans?

Microwave ovens, convection ovens, and exhaust fans are generally mounted above a range or cooktop. Since the invention of the microwave, there have been many advancements in technology, making them a highly sought-after item in a modern kitchen.

So, you may wonder if a home inspector checks microwaves, convection ovens, and exhaust fans. A home inspector will check a microwave oven, convection oven, and exhaust fan by operating the controls and reporting the inspection report findings.

Inspecting a microwave oven or convection oven is much like a range oven. To check a microwave oven, convection oven, or exhaust fan, a home inspector will look at the following:

Check inside the microwave or convection oven for visible damage. Look inside the stove for signs of neglect, such as spilled food, scorching, or other wear.
Check for missing knobs, damaged buttons, and other controls that could affect the microwave or convection oven’s operation.
Check that the unit is securely attached to the cabinetry.
Check the door operation. It should move freely and latch securely.
Check around the cabinet for damage or deterioration.
Check for the presence of exhaust fan filters. Are the filters clean?

Inspecting operation of the microwave oven, convection oven, or exhaust fan:

Using a glass of water or a wet paper towel, run the microwave for about 10 seconds; the water should be hot.
Check the condition and operation of any glass tray.
Check the operation of the light inside the microwave.
Check the operation of the exhaust fan.

Do Home Inspectors Check Food Waste Disposals?

Food waste disposal is used to grind up and dispose of food waste. Food waste disposals are not recommended for private septic tank systems, as they can clog leach fields.

A home inspector will check food waste disposal by operating the controls and reporting the inspection findings.

When inspecting a food waste disposal, the inspector will run the water and then turn the appliance on to listen for strange sounds that could indicate an obstruction exists or that the appliance has seized. This includes:

Check the condition of the waste disposal for evidence of damage that may be present. Run water in the disposer to see if any leaks are present.
Check the electrical connection. The wire should have a wire clamp installed at the bottom of the disposal. A flexible conduit should protect the wiring.
Check the plumbing fittings and trap to ensure the disposer discharge pipe is at the same level as the waste pipe from the adjacent sink.
Check the presence of the flexible splash guard at the mouth of the disposal.

Run cold water in the sink before starting the waste disposal. Turn the disposal on. Listen for loud or unusual sounds that indicate an obstruction exists. Disposals will seize up if misused, which requires removal to determine if replacement or repair is necessary.

Do Home Inspectors Check Refrigerators?

A refrigerator is a staple in every kitchen. However, not every home is sold with one, and sellers often take refrigerators with them when they sell their homes and move.

You may be wondering, do home inspectors check refrigerators? No, according to the ASHI Standards of Practice, inspectors are not required to inspect a refrigerator. However, if a fridge is in a kitchen, the inspector will likely include it in the inspection report.

Regarding refrigerators, below are some things a home inspector will look at when checking the fridge.

Check to see if there is visible damage to the outside of the refrigerator.
Check to see if the refrigerator is plugged in and running.
Check to see if there is visible damage to the inside of the refrigerator.
Check to see if the appliance is cooling correctly.
Check to see if the freezer portion is freezing correctly.
Check the condition of the door gasket, hinges, handle, and door operation.
The inspector will not test the ice maker or in-door ice dispenser unless ice is in the refrigerator.

Do Home Inspectors Check Clothes Washers and Dryers?

Often, this is the one set of appliances that will not convey with the home when sold. But that’s not always the case. Sometimes, a stackable washer and dryer is part of the purchase transaction, particularly in condos.

So, do home inspectors check washers and dryers? No, there is no requirement for a home inspector to inspect a clothes washer and dryer. However, a home inspector is not prohibited from doing so and will often test them at the client’s request.

This may come as a surprise to you. There are limits to every home inspection. Let’s explain why that is and what it means for you.

The ASHI and other home inspection organizations agree that a home inspector isn’t required to inspect certain things. Clothes washers and dryers fall under this category of not needed.

This doesn’t mean the inspector won’t, only that they aren’t required to. Remember, like building codes, the Standards of Practice are a set of minimum standards an inspector must adhere to.

ASHI states that the inspector shall inspect fixtures and faucets; however, washing machine connections do not fall under this category because they are not always readily accessible without moving the appliance. Often, cabinetry or appliance positioning blocks access to the connections.

For example, stackable washer and dryer combo units are often located inside a narrow closet with no visible access to the water supply connections without moving the appliance.

Inspectors are also not required to do anything they think may damage themselves, their clients, or the property. Remember, this is a visual examination only, and you don’t own the home yet.

A visual inspection will be needed before running the appliances if the home inspector agrees to check the clothes washer and dryer. The inspector will check the following:

If the washing machine’s condition is for rust and other damage, that could indicate damage or operation failure.
Check the washing machine connections for evidence of active leaks, rust, or damage to the shut-off valves on the water supply connections.
Check the condition of the water supply hoses from the water supply connections to the clothes washer. If the hoses are damaged, cracked from dry rot, or have weak spots causing bubbles on the hoses, the clothes washer should not be tested, and the condition should be noted.
Check the knobs or control buttons for damage.
Check the clothes washer lid for proper operation.
If the clothes washer is located on the second floor, is there a pan under the clothes washer, and does the pan have a discharge pipe directed to the exterior of the building?

The inspector may operate the clothes washer if they feel it’s safe to do so without the risk of damage to the property. When I test a clothes washer, I run the appliance on a rinse/spin cycle. This allows me to check the fill, drain, and spin in approximately 15 minutes.

When checking the clothes dryer:

Check the clothes dryer for damage that could indicate operation failure.
Check the lint trap to see if it is clean. A dirty lint trap indicates that the appliance has been neglected.
Check the dryer vent pipe to see if it’s connected and discharging to the building’s exterior.
Check the dryer knobs and controls for damage.
Check the dryer door for proper operation.

Provided it’s safe to operate, I’ll check a dryer on high heat for 5 minutes, the visible vent piping, and the exterior dryer discharge for proper venting.