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View Full Version : Moving stuff on counter tops



Jack Feldmann
04-26-2012, 02:13 PM
I had a discussion with another inspector about this, and was curious what others are doing.
Kitchen counter, and/or sink. What do you move to get a look at the counter top, or inside of the sink? If you don't move anything, the reason. If you do move things, where do you draw the line?

Rick Cantrell
04-26-2012, 02:23 PM
If I feel there is reason to, I will move something out of the way.
Under the sink same thing.
I don't even attempt to move furniture, except maybe something easy and light. No stuffed chairs, couches, curios, beds...

Once found the breaker panel inside the kitchen cabinets. Left it as I found it.
I'm not unloading the cabinet.

John Arnold
04-26-2012, 02:32 PM
...I'm not unloading the cabinet.

Me neither. That's a job for the buyer's agent, assuming she/he is present.

Scott Patterson
04-26-2012, 03:15 PM
I move enough stuff on the counter to put my little computer and my tool bag and that is about it. I do not unload the sink, dishwasher, etc... If I can't see it I note it and take a picture.

Last week I had an oven that was full of Tupperware, I bet that it had 50+ pieces of tops and bowls in it. I did not unload it so that I could turn on the oven. I took a picture and moved on to the item.

Rick Bunzel
04-26-2012, 05:04 PM
I don't move stuff unless I'm suspicious. If there are mats close to a stove and the countertops are Formica I may look under because thats where the burn marks are going to be.

//Rick

Robert Ernst
04-26-2012, 09:08 PM
My state prohibits it but even if it didn't I wouldn't move anything. Maybe slide something far enough out to plug in the tester. I would disclose anything I couldn't get to in my report and I always take pictures.

Dave Hill
04-27-2012, 06:35 AM
Scott, I am with you on this one. I use my favorite tool, my camera, and document why I am unable to check for evidence of past leaks under a sink stuffed full of "stuff". I recommend that before closing, that the personal items be removed, and a qualified professional further evaluate, as desired. Any problems can be brought to the attention of the seller and repaired/replaced as needed, by a qualified professional.
Otherwise, we would be there all day! Not required.

Jack Feldmann
04-27-2012, 02:41 PM
Robert,
I'm curious about the wording in the law where your State prohibits you moving stuff.
I know we are not "required" to move things, but that is a far cry from being prohibited.

I just looked at the Nevada SOP and couldn't seem to find anything that would keep an inspector from moving things on a counter top or sink.
Not trying to pick a fight or anything, but to be misinformed about what one can or can't do on an inspection can come back to bite one's backside some day.

Jerry Peck
04-27-2012, 04:04 PM
My state prohibits it ...


I'm curious about the wording in the law where your State prohibits you moving stuff.
I know we are not "required" to move things, but that is a far cry from being prohibited.

Same thing I was wondering ... what wording "prohibits" you from moving stuff?

As Jack said, there is a huge difference between 'not being required to' and 'being prohibited from' moving things.

John Kogel
04-27-2012, 08:21 PM
I move lots of stuff if it's just placed on the counter, such as the toaster parked right on the diagonal seam, I look under it. I always check the seam for delamination.
I take crap out if it's blocking important stuff like an electrical panel. My clients need to know now, not some other time or after they've bought. Do you look under rugs and carpets? Of course you do. I'll run water into a pot or a bucket sometimes if there's crap in the tub or the shower. I will climb over stuff and crouch on top of boxes of storage to get at the electrical panel.

I will look under a cutting board on the counter, if it's a decent house, but if the house is a dump, one more blemish won't make any difference. Dishes in the sink, I run some water and check the drain. An inspector I know was clearing a spot for his report by pushing crap aside, and pushed a goldfish bowl with the fish in it right off the end of the counter. :D

Benjamin Thompson
04-27-2012, 09:26 PM
I usually look at it as "is the knowledge worth the effort ?" For a counter top it usually is. for a garage crammed full of stuff, usually not. My advice is if you are not going to move stuff, take lots of pictures of the crap you didn't move. when they find that charred counter top you couldn't see you can show why you couldn't see it.

Matt Fellman
04-27-2012, 11:01 PM
I moved a cutting board leaning up against a back splash recently to reach and test the outlet... finished in the kitchen and moved around to the familiy room. When closing the sliding door the thump caused the cutting to fall forward and crash into a blender which shattered into a million pieces all over the floor.

I Fed-Ex-ed the seller a replacement right away ($100 - ouch) but it was a funny chance to think back. In 12 years that's the only thing of any real value I've ever broken....

As for the original question, it's a case by case thing... I'm certainly not clearing out sinks or cabinets below unless I'm super suspicious or see some problems. Basically, it's a never ending road to move everthing in a house that might be hiding something.

Larry Morrison
04-28-2012, 05:50 AM
There is a limit to how much stuff I move. There is also the consideration of breaking things. One thing I always move is a mat or carpet remnant that is "innocently" placed over a tile entryway.

An occupied home normally gets 3-4 times the amount of interior pictures taken than an empty house.

Garry Sorrells
04-28-2012, 01:05 PM
My state prohibits it but even if it didn't I wouldn't move anything. Maybe slide something far enough out to plug in the tester. I would disclose anything I couldn't get to in my report and I always take pictures.

Not piling on, but I am also interested in the "...state prohibits it...". How and where is it worded that way?

mathew stouffer
04-28-2012, 02:57 PM
I keep telling myself I will no longer move anything, then last week I tried to move a container under a sink. It spilled and it was filled with clorox;) No more moving anything!!

Garry Sorrells
04-30-2012, 03:32 AM
I keep telling myself I will no longer move anything, then last week I tried to move a container under a sink. It spilled and it was filled with clorox;) No more moving anything!!

As Forest would say, "clumsy is as clumsy does".

Michael Thomas
04-30-2012, 05:35 AM
I've noticed that over the last few years agents have become a *lot* more willing to move stuff... they want to get the property SOLD.

Bill Wieczorek
04-30-2012, 09:01 AM
Like most I will move objects within reason. Under cabinets I'll move soaps and whatever blocks my view of the shut offs and drains. I always look at the cabinet base for signs of leakage. I rarely move objects on counters but do look carefully and take photos. If I can't see because something is covering an area I always make a note in the report for the buyer.