Electrical Inspection Overview

A functioning electrical system is vital to any residential or commercial space. It runs many of our modern home needs, such as lights, appliances, heating, and air conditioning, and commercial buildings can’t serve their customers and tenants without it.

Making sure your home or commercial property is safe and up to code is extremely important. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that electrical failures or malfunctions are the second leading cause of home fires in the US, and electrical injuries can be a danger to anyone who operates tools or machinery in a commercial space.

Many property owners have not kept their electrical systems properly maintained over the years, and older properties are especially at risk for failures from old wiring. There may have been unsafe modifications to the wiring, or damage might have been caused to the panel or receptacles.

Our home inspectors are dedicated to ensuring your property’s electrical system is safe and functioning properly, and making certain that any defects or safety issues are observed and documented.

Included In Every Inspection

Electrical Inspection Process

As our inspectors follow InterNACHI® Standards of Practice for Electrical inspections, your inspector will inspect and report on all accessible components of your property’s electrical system, from the serving utility to the receptacles in the building.

The inspection will vary between residential and commercial spaces, but will usually include inspection of:

  • Service Drops/Laterals

  • Service-entrance conductors and equipment

  • The electric meter and base

  • Panelboards and overcurrent protection such as fuse boxes or circuit breakers

  • Service grounding and bonding

  • A representative number of switches, lighting fixtures, and AFCI receptacles

  • All GFCI receptacles and circuit breakers

Your home inspector will report on any problems found in the electrical system, such as:

  • Issues with vertical clearance on the service drop or drip loop

  • Circuit breaker panel openings that are unused or not filled

  • Presence of aluminum building wiring

  • Unpowered or improperly-maintained receptacles

  • Missing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors