Here at Watt’s Right Electric, our goal is to keep your home safe, efficient, and up to code. One of the most effective ways we do that is through a residential electrical inspection. Whether you’re buying a home, planning renovations, or simply want peace of mind about your electrical system, an inspection helps you identify potential issues before they turn into costly or dangerous problems.
If you’ve never had an electrical inspection before, you might not know exactly what to expect. Here’s a detailed look at how we approach the process and what happens from start to finish.
Why Electrical Inspections Matter
Electrical inspections are all about prevention, safety, and reliability. Many of us don’t even think about the health of our electrical system until there is something terribly wrong. As long as everything functions relatively normally, we don’t expect any problems. Unfortunately, many electrical issues start small and stay hidden until they cause serious trouble. An inspection allows us to catch problems early on. Problems like overloaded circuits, outdated wiring, faulty connections, and fire risks.
Electrical Inspections also ensure that your system meets current local codes. This is especially important if you’re selling your home, completing renovations, or adding new electrical loads such as an EV charger, an updated HVAC system, or a hot tub. Beyond compliance, an inspection provides peace of mind that your home’s wiring is performing safely and efficiently.
When Should You Schedule An Electrical Inspection
There is never a bad time for an electrical inspection, but it is especially a good idea if you are buying or selling a home, have a home that was built before 2000, or if you’ve noticed signs like flickering lights, warm outlets, tripping breakers, or an unusual buzzing sound, those are red flags and it means that it’s time for a professional inspection.
How To Prepare For Your Inspection
To make the process go smoothly, here are a few steps you, as the homeowner, can take before we arrive:
- Clear Access Points
Make sure areas like your electrical panel, attic, basement, and crawlspaces are easy to access. If boxes or storage items block the panel or outlets, move them aside so our electricians can safely reach the system. - Gather Documentation
If you have any previous inspection reports, renovation records, or electrical drawings, keep them handy. These help us compare past and present conditions. - Unplug Appliances on Test Circuits
Having fewer devices plugged in allows for more accurate load and breaker testing. - List Your Concerns
If you’ve experienced or noticed any electrical issues, make a list. Issues like breakers tripping in certain rooms, outlets not working, lights flickering, or intermittent power loss. Let us review that list beforehand so we can focus extra attention on those areas.
What Happens During the Inspection
An electrical inspection with Watt’s Right Electric is thorough and methodical. We have compiled an in-depth 82-point whole-home checklist to ensure that we won’t miss a thing. Here’s a little snippet of the things that we inspect and what we are looking for:
1. Main Electrical Panel
The inspection begins at your breaker box or service panel. When we examine your panel, we are checking for:
- Signs of overheating, corrosion, or loose connections
- Proper breaker sizes and labeling
- Up to code panel
- Ensuring that your panel has not been recalled
- Evidence of double-tapped breakers or overloaded circuits
- Overall panel condition and capacity for your home’s energy needs
If we notice outdated equipment or capacity limitations, we’ll discuss possible upgrades to improve performance and safety.
2. Wiring, Grounding, and Junction Boxes
We inspect your home’s wiring for visible damage, improper connections, and compliance with code. Junction boxes are checked to make sure they’re properly enclosed and accessible. Grounding and bonding are also verified, as they are essential for protecting your home from surges and electrical faults.
In older homes, we pay close attention to outdated wiring types, such as aluminum, knob and tube, or cloth-insulated wires, and recommend replacements when needed.
3. Outlets, Switches, and Safety Devices
We test every accessible outlet and switch for correct wiring and secure installation. Safety devices like GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) and AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets are tested to confirm they function properly. These are vital in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, outdoor areas, and other areas where water or arcs can create extra risk.
4. Circuit Load and Distribution
Next, we evaluate how electrical loads are distributed across your circuits. Overloaded circuits can cause nuisance tripping (when a breaker trips, cutting off power, even though there is no actual electrical fault) and potential overheating. We ensure that high-demand appliances, like dryers, ovens, and HVAC systems, have the dedicated circuits they need.
5. Identifying Unsafe Conditions
Throughout the inspection, we watch for anything that could compromise safety, such as:
- Exposed or frayed wiring
- Burn marks or melted insulation
- Outdated or failing circuit breakers
- Missing cover plates on junction boxes
- DIY electrical work that doesn’t meet code
- Lack of or inadequate grounding
- Insufficient clearance around electrical panels
If we find any hazards, we’ll make sure you understand what’s happening, why it’s a problem, and the best steps to take to fix it.
After The Electrical Inspection: Report And Recommendations
Once the inspection is complete, usually within two to three hours, depending on your home’s size and system. We review our findings with you. You’ll receive a clear, written summary outlining any immediate safety concerns that should be addressed right away. Any code violations or compliance issues that need to be updated. We will also note any minor observations, things that don’t need immediate repair but should be monitored or resolved sooner rather than later. After we walk you through and explain all of our findings with you, we will make our recommendations for improvements and repairs. One of our federally licensed technicians will create several different solutions so that you can choose the one that best fits your needs.
Our goal is transparency. We’ll explain each issue in plain language, outline repair options, answer all your questions, and provide honest recommendations without upselling or unnecessary pressure. Our core value here at Watt’s Right Electric is integrity. We are not here to sell you unnecessary work but to help make sure your home is safe and up to code.
If repairs or upgrades are needed, we can often schedule them directly following the inspection to save you time.
Cost and Timing
Every home is different, but most residential electrical inspections take between two and three hours. You’re welcome to remain in your home during the inspection as long as we have clear access to the necessary areas. Our electricians work efficiently, cleanly, and with respect for your space.
There are a few options available when it comes to electrical safety inspections. Our most popular is the ‘Watts Right First Class Pass’. This option also includes front-of-the-line service, emergency availability, and waived dispatch and diagnostic fees. Ask us if this would be a good fit for you!
The cost of repairs and upgrades varies depending on the home’s size and system complexity, but we will always provide an upfront estimate before beginning any work. Make sure to ask your electrician about the many financing options that we have available.
Staying Safe Between Inspections
A residential electrical inspection is one of the best ways to ensure your home is safe, but safety shouldn’t stop there. Here are a few helpful tips we recommend between inspections:
- Replace damaged cords or plugs as soon as you notice them
- Avoid overloading power strips or extension cords
- Keep the area around your breaker panel clear and accessible
- Use quality surge protectors for electronics
- Be alert for flickering lights, unusual smells, or buzzing sounds
These small steps go a long way toward keeping your system running safely.
The Watt’s Right Difference
At Watt’s Right Electric, we believe in doing the job right the first time, with honesty, integrity, and attention to detail. Our licensed, background-checked, and drug-tested electricians treat every inspection as an opportunity to make your home safer and your electrical system stronger. Our team is trained to look at every home they enter as if it were their own. Safety is our number one priority.
So, whether you’re buying a new house, updating an older one, or just want reassurance that everything is in tip-top shape, we’re here to help! Schedule your electrical inspection today and let Watt’s Right Electric make sure your home is safe and up to code.
And always remember…
In darkness and light, we do Watt’s right!