Totally agree—better to catch drainage issues early. A few years back, I ignored a damp spot near my porch... ended up costing way more than expected. Inspectors spotting these things early can actually save you cash long-term.
Yeah, catching drainage issues early can definitely save headaches later on. But speaking of inspections, have you thought about how much inspectors really care about kitchen aesthetics versus actual structural stuff? I've seen inspectors barely glance at messy counters but zero in on plumbing or wiring issues. Maybe tidying up isn't as critical as making sure your sink and outlets are accessible? Curious if anyone's had an inspector comment specifically on kitchen clutter...
Interesting point, but I'd argue clutter can sometimes indirectly affect an inspection. Had an inspector once comment—not directly on the mess—but that he couldn't properly check under the sink because random stuff was blocking access. He wasn't annoyed exactly, but it made me wonder if he might've missed something important. Maybe it's less about aesthetics and more about giving clear access so they can do their job thoroughly?
I get your point about clear access, but honestly, I think inspectors are used to seeing a bit of chaos—they're not expecting HGTV perfection. I've flipped a bunch of houses, and trust me, inspectors have seen way worse than some clutter under a sink (like moldy takeout containers or random piles of laundry...). If something's seriously wrong, they'll find a way to check it out or at least flag it as inaccessible.
That said, it's obviously better if you can clear paths and give them space to work. But realistically, they're professionals and know how to handle normal household messes. I'd worry less about the clutter itself and more about any actual structural or plumbing issues lurking behind it. Clutter might slow them down slightly, but it won't stop a good inspector from spotting genuine problems.
That's true, inspectors probably won't bat an eye at some clutter... but personally, I'd still do a quick tidy-up—just enough to make sure nothing major is hidden. Learned my lesson when our inspector missed a small leak because it was buried behind piles of cleaning supplies. Ever had something minor slip through inspection that turned into a bigger headache later on?
