In the above picture we can see dark wall paneling, rust-colored shag carpeting (circa 1978), eyeball lights over the fireplace and a rough-sawn cedar mantel with an incredibly dark stain. To look at this room a perspective buyer cringe at the time capsule before them but are there any safety issues?
As an example, in this room the outlets should be checked to see if they are working and to make sure they aren't loose. In the case of this particular property the top half of every outlet was controlled by a single switch on the wall. While it is code to have one outlet so operated when no ceiling fixture exists, what we have here is fairly rare. Worth noting on an inspection report but not a safety issue.
The next thing is the fireplace and insert. As a potential source of unwanted house fire it should be thoroughly inspected and reported. The report should not include commentary on the gold bird appliques on the face of the insert, however.
Another area in this room is the patio door to the left. It should operate and function, lock and/or latch and be free of broken glass. The fact that it is a dark brown, aluminum frame door, while not incredibly attractive, is not an issue for the inspector...though it may be for the designer.
As a contractor walking through this room with a potential buyer, new owner or seller my conversation is going to be much different than if I walked through as an inspector. Yes as a contractor I walk properties with an eye on safety and structural issues. But I also have my designer hat on. The key is to not get the hats confused and certainly not wear them at the same time.
Yes the above room is hideous to me and probably most of you. But as an inspector looking at this room there is little to report.
And that's exactly how it should be.
