Conducting a thorough home inspection is essential in purchasing or selling a house. Home inspectors check for common electrical problems in houses to ensure operating correctly and safely.
A certified home inspector will open an electrical panel to inspect it. However, it is not the same as a qualified electrician, but a home inspector can examine and report any issues they believe to be deficient or unsafe in the home.
Common home inspection electrical issues are related to safety issues and the National Electric Code violations. These include problems centered around outdated wiring, old electrical panels, ungrounded outlets, improper wiring, and missing smoke detectors. The presence of one or more of these issues may require a full inspection from a licensed electrician.
A March 2019 report from the National Fire Protection Agency cited:
- Local fire departments responded to an estimated average of 44,880 home fires involving electrical failure or malfunction each year in 2012-2016.
- Home fires involving electrical failure or malfunction caused an estimated average of 440 civilian deaths and 1,250 civilian injuries each year in 2012-2016, as well as an estimated $1.3 billion in direct property damage a year.
It is a stark reminder of how important it is to ensure the electrical system in your home is functioning as it should and that they are up to the current National Electric Code (NEC) standards.
If a home inspector recommends you have a complete electrical inspection, you can expect to pay between $200 – $500, according to Fixr.com. For repairs, you can expect to pay a licensed electrician $65 and $85 per hour, with a minimum of $200 per call plus materials.
If you are buying a property, you will likely turn towards hiring an ASHI or NACHI certified home inspector who will assess the property for you. These certified home inspectors work through a list of criteria to observe, inspect, and report on a wide range of features throughout the house, including the structure, heating, plumbing, exterior, and electrical systems.
You can also locate Certified Master Inspectors (CMIs)® from the Certified Master Inspectors Board. Certified Master Inspectors (CMIs)® is a professional designation for qualifying inspectors who have been in business for at least 3 years, have demonstrated superior training, and are dedicated to the highest industry ethics.
Home inspections follow the Standards of Practice. To receive a more in-depth electrical examination, you must consult a licensed electrician or contractor to perform a full electrical inspection.
What Will Fail an Electrical Inspection?
Some common issues that can lead to failure in an electrical inspection include faulty wiring, improper grounding, outdated electrical panels, and insufficiently protected circuits.
These issues pose safety risks and may not meet the required electrical codes and regulations. Hiring a licensed electrician to address any potential problems before scheduling an inspection is recommended.
Let’s look at what do electrical inspectors look for and the most common electrical home inspection issues that inspectors report.
Outdated Wiring
Many older homes have unnecessarily complex and inadequate electrical wiring compared to today’s standards. Old electrical wiring in a house can be dangerous. Any households over pre-1990 are typically strong candidates for having outdated and potentially hazardous wiring systems. Let’s take a look at some things inspectors inspect.
Knob and tube wiring
Knob and tube wiring are especially common in pre-1950 homes.
- Knob and tube is one of the oldest wiring methods found in homes.
- Knob and tube wiring consist of a single-insulated copper wiring rum throughout the house framing.
- Knob and tube wiring is secured with porcelain knobs and passes through the frame through porcelain tubes.
Knob and tube wiring are no longer sufficient for the modern demand of our household electrical needs. Most homes have updated from knob and tube wiring to more modern wiring. However, it does still exist in some older homes.
Aluminum tubing
According to the NACHI Standards of Practice, inspectors must report “the presence of solid conductor aluminum branch-circuit wiring” and suggest that it requires correction in their assessment report. This type of wiring was prevalent between 1965 and 1973 when the price of copper skyrocketed. Unfortunately, aluminum wiring does not quite stand the test of time, and neither does copper.
Aluminum becomes defective far faster than copper and becomes increasingly dangerous over time. This type of wiring is renowned for overheating rapidly, which increases the likelihood of electrical fires. Interestingly, aluminum wiring is so dangerous that it voids some home insurance policy claims.
Improper Wiring Installation
The home inspector will look for amateur workmanship and improper wiring. It’s not uncommon for people to attempt to fix electrical issues themselves or hire an unlicensed handyman.
For the most part, this is not a problem if the electrical work is done correctly. Unfortunately, the work is often not done correctly and can create a severe fire hazard that puts the house’s inhabitants in danger.
Common improper wiring issues include:
- Extension cords are installed as a permanent wiring source.
- Interior-rated electrical wiring is used for exterior wiring purposes.
- Electrical wiring runs without proper conduit.
- Electrical wiring is not properly secured to framing in attics, basements, and crawl spaces.
Outdated Electrical Panel Boxes
If you have or are looking to buy a home built pre-1990, you likely have an electrical panel that needs to be updated. The typical lifespan of an electrical panel box is 20 to 30 years.
Most older electrical panels are not suited for the electrical needs of today’s households. You will likely need to update the electrical panel in your home if you have the following:
- The electrical panel has fuses instead of circuit breakers.
- Breakers are frequently tripping.
- The electrical panel is manufactured by one of the following companies: Federal Pacific, Zinsco, ITE/Bulldog Pushmatic, and Sylvania. These panels have a failure rate and are a latent fire risk.
- The breaker panel is at maximum capacity.
- There is rust present inside the electrical box.
According to Jeremy Tollie, “If you notice burn marks, hear buzzing or crackling, or smell burning plastic around or inside the electrical panel, have a qualified electrician check the panel immediately.“
No GFCI Protection
Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection has been around in a limited capacity since the 1970s. In the last 30 years, NEC has only expanded GFCI protection to today.
Today, GFCI protection is required in all wet areas, including kitchen outlets, bathrooms, laundry rooms, exteriors, basements, crawl spaces, garages, and anywhere else an outlet can contact water.
You can read our article on GFCI code requirements at Common Questions About GFCI Code Requirements.
A home inspector will test and document GFCI outlets that do not function properly. In the event of failure, older GFCI outlets would still work as standard outlets with no GFCI protection. That is not the case today. When newer GFCI outlets fail, they trip off, cutting power to all outlets on the circuit.
Typically, GFCI outlets only last about 10 years on average. If you have older GFCI outlets that are still functioning, you should consider upgrading to the newer GFCI outlets for the added layers of protection provided.
Reversed Polarity
The NACHI Standards of Practice (SOP) states that home inspectors must report reverse receptacle polarity as a defect.
A hot/neutral reversed polarity occurs when the hot wire is connected to the outlet neutral terminal and vice versa. Most of the time, this results from a DIY electrician who has wired the outlet incorrectly.
While this doesn’t present much of a fire risk, it creates a significant risk of an electrical shock. Reversed polarity can also damage some appliances that remain connected to the faulty outlet; in some cases, it can result in the appliance overheating.
A hot/ground reverse polarity is an even more dangerous condition. If you find an outlet like this, you should not use the outlet and immediately seek out a licensed electrician for repair.
Open Neutral
An open neutral occurs when a break in the electrical flow through the neutral wire back to the electric panel. Electrical current flows through the hot wire to outlets, switches, and devices like lighting fixtures. When the neutral wire is loose, the path back to the electrical panel through the neutral wire is impeded.
A loose neutral wire can cause lights to flicker or a portion of your house to lose power.
Read more on open neutrals at What Is An Open Neutral: Troubleshooting Guide.
Ungrounded Receptacles/Outlets
According to the NACHI SOP, home inspectors must report any instances “where the receptacle was not grounded.”
These days, most homes have wiring systems that are properly grounded, which protect people from experiencing electric shocks and help guard against electrical fires.
However, pre-1960s homes commonly had ungrounded wiring and receptacles. Fortunately, they are relatively easy to spot as ungrounded receptacles usually have two slots and no hole for the ground wire.
This presents a genuine risk of an electrical fire, as any faults with the outlet can cause electrical charges and sparks that could ignite nearby fixtures, fittings, and furniture.
Like the reverse polarity issue, the lack of ground wire presents a risk of shock to people operating the electrical appliances connected to the outlet.
It’s a good idea to upgrade the ungrounded receptacles in your house to minimize the risk of fire and the potential hazards it causes to the people there.
Often, these receptacles are upgraded from two-prong to three-prong without a wiring upgrade. People would do this to accommodate modern devices inserted into grounded circuitry. This is not an approved upgrade with the NEC.
According to the National Electric Code 2017 406.4(D)(2) Non-Grounding-Type Receptacles, You are allowed to have 3-prong outlets on ungrounded wiring circuits provided the outlets are ground-fault circuit interrupter protected and label each outlet “No Equipment Ground” present. So, you are not required to rewire the house.
Missing Switch / Outlet Cover Plates
All outlets and switches should have cover plates to protect the wire connections. Outlets and switches with missing cover plates pose a serious shock hazard risk, particularly for small children and pets.
We often see these missing in homes that have been recently renovated because the plates were removed for painting and just never replaced. Cover plates are inexpensive and easy to install.
Painted Outlets
Painted electrical outlets can fail and are a fire risk. Painted outlets tend to overheat when paint gets trapped in the slots, preventing the plug from making a good connection.
Painted GFCI outlets can fail to work correctly because paint prevents the buttons from tripping. If the buttons on the GFCI can not function properly, this creates a safety issue with the outlet that could cause an electrical shock.
Like GFI outlets, outlets in new construction have tamper-resistant doors over the slots and USB ports and USB ports. If a tamper-resistant outlet is painted, it will likely render the outlet useless because the slot doors are sealed or could prevent them from closing.
Double-Tapped Circuit Breakers
A double-tapped circuit breaker is a defect found inside the electrical panel. It occurs when two or more hot wires run to one circuit breaker slot that can only accommodate one wire. It is usually the result of poor quality electrical work, yet it risks fire if left unchecked.
Most, if not all, electrical circuit breakers are designed to hold just one hot wire at any given time. Connecting two wires can lead to loose connections, sparking, or arcing, all of which start electrical fires. Fortunately, a professional can quickly fix this by introducing an extra circuit breaker or connecting the wires before reaching the breaker.
In recent years, breaker manufacturers have developed breakers designed to accept two-wire circuits called tandem breakers. These breakers accept two circuits into one breaker. A tag on the breaker will identify the breaker as a “1 circuit” or a “1 or 2 circuit” breaker.
No circuit breakers accept three or more wiring circuits.
Missing/Incorrect Weather Proof Outlet Covers
Exterior outlets need protection from the elements. If you have a standard outlet exposed to wind, rain, sleet, and snow – you risk electrical shock or the outlet not working when needed.
According to the NEC, if you have an electrical outlet in a wet location (outdoors), you must use the correct coverage to protect it from the weather. The exposed electrical outlets need to be sturdy and withstand water contact. However, this does not mean they must be waterproof, just weatherproof.
If your home has inadequately exposed outdoor outlets, this may be discounted as an electrical defect in the inspection report. Although, you can fix this easily by installing a bubble cover or a surface-mounted weatherproof box.
Overused Extension Cords
Extension cords are one of the most commonly used items in our home. We use them to extend the range of our home’s electrical sockets to connect appliances in just about every corner of the household.
However, extension cords are only meant for temporary use. They should not become permanent fixtures in the home under any circumstances. With continuous use, extension cords deteriorate rapidly, causing them to become fire and shock hazards.
On top of this, the NEC states, “Flexible cords and cables shall not be used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure.”
If you find yourself using extension cords as a permanent wiring source, having an electrician install a permanent electrical outlet in its place would be much safer. Not only will this reduce the fire hazard, but it should also help to keep the electricity bill down as permanent outlets are much more efficient than extension cords.
Exposed Wiring & Splicing
Exposed wiring is a big no-no regarding electrical safety. Arcing can occur in the exposed and spliced wires, which presents a fire safety and shock concern. Any wires spliced together outside a junction box will be regarded as a defect on the home inspector’s report.
To fix this, homeowners should install a junction box fitted with a cover plate, which is easy to hold and relatively inexpensive, acts as a protective cover for the exposed wiring, and reduces the fire risk.
It also prevents you or your family from coming into contact with the exposed live circuit and receiving an electric shock, which is especially important if you have young children in your home.
Furthermore, if the home inspector finds any wires that look like they’ve been damaged due to rust, fraying, or animal damage, this will likely be noted in the report.
Trees Touching Main Service Wire
When examining the overhead electrical service entry wires, a home inspector will look for areas where tree limbs are touching or near the wiring.
Trees touching the main service wire could damage the wire or cause a power outage. It is important to keep tree limbs trimmed away. If this is not something you can do, call your local power supplier.
Improper Drip Loops
Drip loops provide a safe place for excess water build-up collected on the conductors to drip off, preventing water from following the wiring down into the terminals and wreaking havoc on the electrical system.
As you probably know, water and electricity can be deadly, so having a functioning drip loop in place is vital to keep your electrical system functioning as it should.
The drip loop is found at the overhead wiring connection before the weather head and service mast heading into the electrical meter. It is more common in older and rural homes where underground electrical service is absent.
If the rainwater finds its way through to the electrical box, the equipment will become damaged, and rust will take hold of the components. After some time, this could result in electrical failures and an increased fire hazard.
Ensure wires entering your home have a safe path with a drip loop just before the service entrance.
Suppose your electrical overhead service is old and lacks a service mast, weather head, or proper height clearance from the roof. In that case, you will need an electrician to correct this to protect the home and the electrical system.
Missing Smoke Detectors
The ASHI and NACHI Standards of Practice require home inspectors to report the absence of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on the property. Even if this wasn’t a requirement, it is just basic common sense to have these alarms in place for your safety and your family’s.
According to the US Fire Administration, three out of five home fire deaths occur due to a lack of working smoke alarms. They also state that “the risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms.”
A smoke alarm’s job is to provide an early warning of fire, giving you and your family a heads up on the situation and ample time to escape before the fire takes hold. The presence of smoke alarms may even give you a chance to extinguish the fire before it destroys your property. Not bad when you consider you can get an alarm installed for less than $100.
A carbon monoxide alarm should also be a permanent fixture in your home. Carbon monoxide is a tasteless and odorless gas often called the “silent killer.” It reportedly kills over 300 people each year, and more than 5,000 people are treated for carbon monoxide poisoning in the USA annually. Changing smoke and carbon monoxide at least once every ten years would be best.
Open Slots in the Electrical Panel
A widespread defect a home inspector will cite is openings in electrical breaker boxes. Open breaker slots inside a panel box allow insects and other vermin to nest. They are attracted to the panel by the heat it produces. Once inside, pests may chew on the wires, causing damage to this vital part of your electrical system.
It’s also unsafe for humans, especially young children, who may insert foreign objects or fingers inside the electrical panel.
Before the inspection, make sure you cover these up with filler plates. These are inexpensive and extremely easy to install yourself without the help of an electrician.
Electrical Home Inspection Issues Average Repair Costs
Now that you know ten of the most common electrical issues that home inspectors report, let’s take a look at how much they usually cost to repair
| Electrical Issue Repair | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Full home rewiring (2000sf house) | $8000 – $9000 |
| Replacement panel | $1500 – $4000 |
| Electrical Outlet Repair/Replacement (each) | $120 – $200 |
| Double Tapped Breaker | $150 – $250 |
| Electrician hourly rate ($200 minimum) | $65 – $85 |
If you are the buyer in this arrangement, the presence of one or more of these issues could easily warrant going into renegotiation with the seller. Some of these issues can get rather expensive, so it’s only fair if you negotiate a new price for the property in this instance.
If the property looks like it’s suffering from serious electrical flaws, walking away after a home inspection may be worthwhile. Even if the property seems like the bargain of the century, it’s not worth putting yourself or your family at risk in a home with an inadequate electrical system that poses a substantial fire hazard.
We’ve compiled a guide about home inspection costs at How Much Do Home Inspections Cost in 2022.
Hiring an Electrician For Real Estate Inspection
You may need an electrician for a real estate inspection to do more in-depth troubleshooting when electrical defects are found. They can also conduct thorough inspections to ensure compliance with safety standards and identify any more in-depth safety issues.
Hiring an Electrician To Fix Real Estate Inspection Issues
An electrician is often required to fix electrical issues during a real estate inspection. They can identify and fix electrical problems that pose safety hazards or code violations.
Hiring an inexperienced contractor or handyman for electrical repairs can be risky. Hiring a licensed and experienced electrician is best to ensure the work is done safely and up to local electrical codes.
FAQs about Electrical Issues Found in Home Inspections
How do I find out what electrical problems are in my house?
Hiring a licensed electrician is the best way to identify and resolve electrical problems in your house. You can also hire a certified home inspector to find electrical safety issues in a house.
What are the 3 most common causes of electrical problems?
1. Faulty wiring or connections.
2. Overloading circuits or exceeding the electrical capacity.
3. Electrical equipment or appliances malfunctioning.
Are there warning signs before an electrical fire?
Flickering lights, frequently tripping circuit breakers, burnt smell, hot outlets, sparks, or buzzing sounds can be warning signs of an electrical fire.
What will fail an electrical inspection?
Faulty wiring, improper grounding, insufficient electrical capacity, outdated electrical panels, exposed wires, improper installation of electrical fixtures, inadequate insulation, lack of GFCI protection in wet areas, and violations of local electrical codes.
