Electrical Safety Inspection
An electrical safety inspection is a comprehensive evaluation of your home's entire electrical system — from the service entrance and panel to every outlet, switch, and fixture. Inspections are commonly requested by home buyers and sellers, recommended for homes over 40 years old, required by insurance companies, and useful for anyone who wants to understand the current condition of their electrical system.
What We Inspect
Our electrical safety inspection covers: the service entrance, weatherhead, and meter base; the main electrical panel (condition, capacity, breaker function, labeling); all visible wiring (type, condition, code compliance); grounding and bonding; outlets (testing for proper wiring, grounding, GFCI protection); switches and fixtures; smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; outdoor electrical components; and any visible safety hazards. We provide a written report documenting our findings, including photographs of any issues.
When You Need an Electrical Inspection
An electrical inspection is recommended when buying or selling a home, after purchasing a home that is more than 25 years old, when your insurance company requests one, after any significant water damage or flooding, after a major storm or earthquake, before starting a renovation or addition, and if you notice any signs of electrical problems such as flickering lights, warm outlets, or frequently tripping breakers. A proactive inspection can identify issues before they become safety hazards or expensive repairs.
Inspection Reports and Prioritized Recommendations
After the inspection, we provide a detailed written report that documents every component we evaluated, its current condition, and any issues found. Issues are categorized by severity: safety hazards that require immediate attention, code violations that should be addressed, recommended upgrades that would improve safety and function, and minor items to monitor. This prioritized approach helps you make informed decisions about which repairs to address first.
Real Estate Transaction Inspections
For home buyers, an electrical inspection provides clarity on the true condition of the home's electrical system — beyond what a general home inspection covers. For sellers, a pre-listing electrical inspection identifies and allows you to address issues before they become buyer negotiation points. We provide clear, factual reports that can be shared with buyers, sellers, real estate agents, and lenders. Our reports focus on objective conditions and code compliance, not scare tactics.
What Affects the Cost
- Size of the home (square footage and number of rooms)
- Age and complexity of the electrical system
- Whether the inspection is for a real estate transaction (may require specific documentation)
- Accessibility of the panel, attic, crawl space, and garage
- Whether additional services are requested (thermal imaging, circuit mapping)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an electrical inspection cost?
A full home electrical safety inspection typically costs $200 to $400, depending on the size of the home. The inspection includes a detailed written report. If repairs are needed, the inspection fee is typically applied toward the repair work.
Is an electrical inspection required when selling a home in California?
California does not require an electrical inspection for all home sales, but it is common for buyers to request one as part of their due diligence. Some lenders and insurance companies may require an inspection for older homes. Sellers can also benefit from a pre-listing inspection to identify and address issues before they become negotiation points.
How long does an electrical inspection take?
A thorough electrical inspection of a standard single-family home takes 2 to 3 hours. Larger homes, older homes with complex systems, or homes where additional testing is requested may take longer. We schedule enough time to be thorough — rushing an inspection defeats its purpose.
What happens if the inspection finds problems?
We present our findings in a clear, prioritized report. Safety hazards are flagged for immediate attention. Code violations and recommended upgrades are documented with explanations of why they matter. You decide which items to address and when. If you choose to have us perform the repairs, the inspection fee is applied toward the cost of the work.
Related Services
Electrical Panel Upgrade
Upgrade to 200-amp service panels, replace outdated fuse boxes, and modernize your home's electrical capacity.
House Rewiring
Complete home rewiring to replace outdated knob-and-tube, aluminum, or cloth-insulated wiring systems.
Smoke Detector Installation
Hardwired smoke and carbon monoxide detector installation to meet California fire safety requirements.