I’ve had inspectors who seemed more interested in my old fuse box than the state of my kitchen counters. Once, one even complimented my 1920s tile but didn’t notice the pile of dishes in the sink. I always make sure nothing’s blocking access to outlets or appliances, but I don’t sweat the clutter too much. They’re usually focused on bigger issues, at least in my experience.
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve seen inspectors get distracted by clutter—like, one guy tripped over a rogue laundry basket and spent ten minutes talking about “clear pathways.” Maybe it’s just my luck, but I’d at least corral the chaos a bit.
“one guy tripped over a rogue laundry basket and spent ten minutes talking about ‘clear pathways.’”
Had a similar thing happen, but with a stack of recycling bins. He barely glanced at the actual work and just kept circling back to “obstructions.” I’d say, quick tidy is worth it just for peace of mind.
Had a guy once who got so fixated on a stray extension cord, he barely noticed the brand new cabinets. I get it—safety and all—but sometimes it feels like they’re auditioning for an obstacle course show. Quick sweep does save a lot of hassle, though.
It’s wild how inspectors can zero in on the tiniest thing, isn’t it? I’ve seen folks get so caught up on a single misplaced outlet cover that they miss the bigger picture—like, hey, there’s a whole new kitchen here. But you’re right, a quick sweep really does make a difference. I always suggest walking through the space with “inspector eyes”—pretend you’ve never seen the room before and look for anything that might trip you up (literally or otherwise). Extension cords, loose screws, even a stray paint can… they all seem invisible until someone’s making notes on a clipboard.
Don’t stress too much about the little stuff, though. Most inspectors just want to see that things are safe and functional. If you’ve got the big things sorted—no leaks, appliances working, nothing obviously hazardous—you’re already ahead of the game. The rest is just details, and those are usually easy fixes.
