Sometimes I wonder if they just need a hobby.
Honestly, I’ve thought the same thing. It’s wild how they’ll nitpick something like a mailbox post but ignore the real eyesores. I’ve had inspectors tell me my porch railing was “too contemporary” while the neighbor’s got a rusted-out car in the driveway. Feels like half the time it’s just who you know or who’s on shift. Hang in there—sometimes you just have to laugh and pick your battles.
It’s wild how they’ll nitpick something like a mailbox post but ignore the real eyesores.
That’s the part that always gets me. I mean, is there some secret scoring system for what counts as “too contemporary” or “not in keeping with the neighborhood”? I’ve had similar run-ins—one time I got flagged for using reclaimed wood on my fence (which, by the way, was way sturdier than half the fences on my block), but the house across the street had peeling paint and broken gutters for months. It’s hard not to feel like it’s just random.
I get that inspectors have a job to do, and sometimes they’re just following a checklist, but it does make you wonder if there’s any room for common sense. Or maybe even a little appreciation for people trying to improve their homes in a sustainable way? I’ve tried asking inspectors about eco-friendly materials before and sometimes they look at me like I’m speaking another language.
You’re right about picking your battles. There are days when I want to argue every little thing, but honestly, it’s exhausting. Sometimes you just have to let the small stuff slide and focus on what really matters—like making sure your place is safe and comfortable for your family. The rest is just noise.
Ever notice how some neighborhoods seem to get away with more than others? I can’t tell if it’s favoritism or just luck of the draw with who’s doing inspections that week. Either way, it helps to remember you’re not alone in this. A lot of us are dealing with the same weird inconsistencies.
Hang in there. At the end of the day, you know you’re doing your best—and sometimes that’s all you can do.
Had a job last year where the inspector flagged the color of the shed door—said it was “too bold” for the neighborhood. Meanwhile, the neighbor’s porch looked like it’d collapse if you sneezed near it. Here’s my unofficial guide: 1) Smile and nod, 2) Fix what they ask (even if it’s silly), 3) Take photos of everything, and 4) Keep receipts for your sanity. Sometimes you just have to laugh... or you’ll end up repainting your mailbox every season.
Had a similar run-in when I swapped out my front steps—inspector barely glanced at the actual work but had a whole speech about the “nonconforming” house numbers. Meanwhile, the house across the street is held together by duct tape. Ever had to redo something just because it didn’t “feel right” to an inspector?
- Had to repaint my garage door because the inspector said the color was “too reflective.”
- Ended up spending way more than planned just to meet some vague standard.
- Meanwhile, my neighbor’s fence is falling over and nobody seems to care.
- Sometimes I wonder if they just pick the easy targets or what... It’s frustrating, but I guess it’s part of owning a place.
- I try to remind myself it’s about safety, but it doesn’t always feel fair.
