I'm with Jack on this one. After losing money because of damage to items I moved on a job, my standard policy is that I don't move other people's stuff.

I don't like to work for free and you never know what may be tucked in a closet behind the clothes or in a box that falls from a shelf. It is similar to why I do not light pilots, there is an unknown factor that might cost me money or worse.

My pre-inspection agreement clearly spells out that I need access to certain areas but I still make it a point to tell the client that they need to let the agents know that I need access to scuttles and panels, just like I make it clear that the utilities need to be on. The one time I don't mention these things prior to the inspection will be the one time the gas is off or I can't get to a scuttle.

If no one will move the things while I am on inspection I let them know that I can return later for an additional fee, which often times is paid by the seller or their agent since they dropped the ball. Even a rookie agent should know the drill for inspections.