Had an inspector once who was super picky about outlet placements—like measuring tape out and everything—but completely ignored the fact that the kitchen backsplash tiles weren't even grouted yet. I was sweating bullets thinking he'd call it out, but nope...just breezed right past it. Makes you wonder if they just have their own personal pet peeves or something, doesn't it?
"Makes you wonder if they just have their own personal pet peeves or something, doesn't it?"
Yeah, inspectors definitely seem to have their quirks. Had one who obsessed over the spacing of stair balusters—literally measured each gap twice—but completely overlooked the missing caulk around my bathroom sink. I think they sometimes get tunnel vision on certain code points they're comfortable with or have been burned on before. Best bet is probably to tidy up obvious stuff and cross your fingers on the rest...
Honestly, I wouldn't bank too much on inspectors overlooking stuff just because they're fixated elsewhere. Had one who seemed laid-back about everything, then suddenly flagged me for a minor wiring issue behind the fridge. Better safe than sorry—just tidy up what you can.
Good point about inspectors being unpredictable—had one who spent 20 mins chatting about gardening, then suddenly zeroed in on my wonky cabinet hinges. 😂
Quick tips:
- Clear obvious clutter—makes the whole space feel less chaotic.
- Double-check any exposed wiring or plumbing (inspectors love those).
- Toss a plant or two in there; greenery distracts from minor imperfections and adds a nice eco-friendly vibe.
You've got this...and hey, worst-case scenario, you'll have a funny story later.
Haha, plants as distraction...does that really work? I mean, won't the inspector just move the plant aside and see the wonky hinges anyway? Also, how picky are they usually about clutter—like, is it just visual chaos or actual safety hazards they're worried about? First-time renovator here, so I'm genuinely curious if inspectors ever overlook minor stuff or if they're always eagle-eyed detectives hunting for imperfections.