Property Inspectors As Movers

I often get asked why I didn’t move something during the course of my inspection, and every answer I give always comes back to insurance concerns.

I do not know what’s in the boxes, how much an item might have cost, or the special sentimental history of any item, so my insurance precludes me from moving something and possibly damaging it. Even the unlikeliest-looking item could be a priceless heirloom, or a priceless heirloom or artifact could be in that common cardboard box. I don’t like to damage things (I would feel pretty bad if it happened), but even when I do, I still don’t like paying for it. So I don’t want to be paying for something that someone said I broke or damaged (it might already have been broken or damaged), like the last known picture of someone’s wise old grandmother or the priceless Ming vase from China (what’s it doing in the attic if it’s so priceless?). Unfortunately, there are plenty of horror stories in the property inspection industry about inspectors moving things and damaging them, and my insurance premiums are already too high, so I just don’t move things.

Additionally, if I were to move only one item, I might be asked why I didn’t move every item. Where do I draw the line? Obviously, time constraints preclude me from moving every item, so, again, I just don’t move things; it’s either all or none. Remember, property inspectors are not movers, and I do not know of any movers who are property inspectors. They are two different professions.

If you have any concerns about an area that was not visible or accessible at the time of the inspection, which is pretty common in furnished homes, you should make sure that those areas are looked at again before close of escrow. A good time to do that is at your final walk-through. I am available for re-inspections when conditions warrant it—remember that I am a professional, so I do charge for my time.
If you have any other questions about anything, simply contact me.

                Thank you for using The Upscale Home Inspections Service.

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