Good call on furniture pads—learned that the hard way after dragging a stove across my new floor (ouch). For last-minute inspector panic, toss clutter into laundry baskets and stash 'em in the garage. Instant tidy illusion... works every time.
Furniture pads definitely save floors, but for historic homes with original wood flooring, I'd recommend laying down a temporary protective layer like masonite sheets before moving heavy appliances. Curious—has anyone had issues with inspectors flagging temporary fixes like clutter stashes?
Inspectors usually get it—especially with historic homes. I've had a few inspections myself, and temporary protections like masonite sheets never raised eyebrows. Clutter stashes might depend on how obvious they are... if it's clearly just temporary tidying, most inspectors won't fuss about it. They're more concerned with structural or safety issues than neatness. Honestly, you're already ahead by thinking about protecting those original floors. Good luck tomorrow, you've got this!
Had a similar situation last year—kitchen was mid-reno, tools everywhere, drywall dust coating everything. Inspector barely glanced at the mess, just checked wiring and plumbing. They're used to seeing homes in progress, especially older ones. As long as you're not hiding major issues, a bit of chaos won't faze them. Good call on protecting those floors though... learned that lesson the hard way with some paint splatters.
Had a slightly different experience when our inspector came through. Our kitchen was also mid-reno, but he spent quite a bit of time poking around the mess—asked about ventilation, checked clearances around appliances, even commented on the dust buildup near electrical outlets. Maybe it depends on the inspector or local codes? Either way, I'd still tidy up a bit more than you think is necessary... inspectors can surprise you with what catches their eye.
