Haha, inspectors have seen way worse than a messy kitchen, trust me. Once had an inspector come through while I was mid-renovation—sink disconnected, fridge in the hallway, microwave meals stacked everywhere...he barely blinked. Just make sure nothing's leaking or sparking and you'll survive.
Honestly, inspectors might've seen worse, but it doesn't hurt to tidy up a bit. When mine came through, I was halfway into peeling back wallpaper from the 1920s—dust everywhere, old glue smell, and a ladder propped awkwardly in the middle of the room. He didn't say anything, but I swear he gave me a look...like "really?" If nothing else, clearing pathways and making sure he isn't tripping over your stuff can't hurt. Better safe than sorry, right?
Yeah, tidying up definitely helps. When my inspector came through, I had just started repainting the cabinets—doors off hinges, paint cans everywhere, brushes soaking in the sink. He didn't comment directly, but he did pause and scribble something down...made me wonder if it was about the mess or just routine notes. Either way, I agree that clearing pathways is key. Also, maybe double-check outlets and switches aren't blocked? Heard inspectors can get picky about access to electrical stuff. Better to spend a few minutes moving things around than risk a second visit or extra hassle later.
"Either way, I agree that clearing pathways is key."
Totally agree on this. Inspectors seem to appreciate when you make their job easier. When mine came through, I had boxes stacked near the electrical panel—he politely asked me to move them, but it felt awkward. Also, don't overlook smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. Quick battery check and dust-off can save you from minor write-ups later...small stuff, but inspectors notice details like that. Better safe than sorry, right?
Good points about smoke detectors—I overlooked mine once and got a gentle reminder from the inspector. Lesson learned, haha. Speaking of small details, does anyone know if inspectors typically check under sinks or inside cabinets? My kitchen cabinets are a bit cluttered right now, and I'm wondering if I should prioritize tidying those areas or just focus on the visible stuff...
