An electrical inspection prior to buying a home is important to identify any dangerous electrical situations that may be very expensive to repair once the property has been purchased. An electrical inspection can also help you negotiate a lower price if you find any property faults.
Here are the top reasons why a electrical inspection is must:
- Safety- The National Fire Protection Agency estimates that electrical failure or malfunction caused more than 144,000 house fires between 2007 and 2011. While an electrical inspection may not be required when buying a new home or making major renovations to an existing home, it can reveal electrical deficiencies, and prevent fire hazards.
- Electrical Service Panel- The inspector will locate and evaluate the electrical panel. They will inspect the panel for age, dark or smokey residue, and wear and tear. The inspector will also look for out-dated round fuses and if the panel is worn or rusty.
- Wiring- The inspector will ensure wet areas, including bathrooms and kitchens, must have ground fault circuit interrupters installed. Additionally, light switches must be several inches away from water. They will also look to see if all GFCI’s are located in the correct areas including, any areas that water would be present and any outlets outside. These will be tested to ensure they work correctly.
- Interior Outlets and Lighting- Whether a home is up for sale or currently occupied, interior outlets, light switches, appliance cords and GFCIs will be tested and visually inspected. The inspector will check for loose outlets and check if cords fit snugly. They will also visually check outlets for black smoke and cool to the touch.
All of our inspections will include a detailed report along with pictures of their findings and will be available to the customer in 24 hours of the inspection.