Our inspection of living space includes the visually accessible areas of walls, floors, cabinets and closets, and includes the testing of a representative number of windows and doors, switches and outlets. However, we do not evaluate window treatments, or move furniture, lift carpets or rugs, empty closets or cabinets, and we do not comment on cosmetic deficiencies. We may not comment on the cracks that appear around windows and doors, or which follow the lines of framing members and the seams of drywall and plasterboard. These cracks are a consequence of movement, such as wood shrinkage, common settling, and seismic activity, and will often reappear if they are not correctly repaired. Such cracks can become the subject of disputes, and are therefore best evaluated by a specialist. Similarly, there are a number of environmental pollutants that  the specific identification of which is beyond the scope of our service but which can become equally contentious. In addition, there are a host of lesser contaminants, such as that from moisture penetrating carpet-covered cracks in floor slabs, as well as odors from household pets and cigarette smoke that can permeate walls, carpets, heating and air conditioning ducts, and other porous surfaces, and which can be difficult to eradicate. However, inasmuch as the sense of smell adjusts rapidly, and the sensitivity to such odors is certainly not uniform, we recommend that you make this determination for yourself, and particularly if you or any member of your family suffers from allergies or asthma, and then schedule whatever remedial services may be deemed necessary before the close of escrow.

We test kitchen appliances for their functionality, and cannot evaluate them for their performance nor for the variety of their settings or cycles. However, if they are older than ten years, they may well exhibit decreased efficiency. Also, many older gas and electric ranges are not secured and can be easily tipped, particularly when any weight is applied to an open range door, and all such appliances should be confirmed to be secure. Regardless, we do not inspect the following items: free-standing appliances, refrigerators, trash-compactors, built-in toasters, coffee-makers, can-openers, blenders, instant hot-water dispensers, water-purifiers, barbecues, grills or rotisseries, timers, clocks, thermostats, the self-cleaning capability of ovens, and concealed or countertop lighting, which is convenient but often installed after the initial construction and not wired to national electrical standards.