How should an inspector handle a heavily cluttered room?

When handling a heavily cluttered room during an inspection, noting limitations in visibility is crucial. Clutter can significantly impede the inspector's ability to assess various components of the home, such as structural elements, plumbing, electrical systems, and HVAC systems. By documenting these limitations, the inspector conveys to the homeowner and any future stakeholders the challenges faced during the inspection. This practice ensures transparency and highlights potential areas that may require further evaluation once the clutter is removed, thereby maintaining the integrity of the inspection process.

The approaches of ignoring the clutter, removing it for a full inspection, or merely recommending decluttering to the homeowner may not adequately address the immediate limitations presented by such conditions. Ignoring clutter does not provide a complete picture of the home's condition, while removing clutter could lead to liability issues or misunderstandings regarding the inspection's scope. Simply recommending that the homeowner declutter delays the resolution and does not account for the current state of the inspection. Hence, acknowledging the limitations created by the clutter is the most thorough and responsible course of action.