Electrical inspection checklist for homebuyers

Start at the panel and the service

Note the main size, whether you see fuses or breakers, rust, heat marks, double-tapped breakers, and whether there is room to add circuits. A 100-amp camp service on a lake cottage is common. Ask what it means for heat, a well, a generator, or a charger after closing.

Walk receptacles, GFCI, and smoke protection

Test GFCI locations in kitchens, baths, and outdoors where you can. Look for two-prong outlets, open junction boxes, and extension cords used as permanent wiring. Confirm smoke and CO alarms are present and not long expired.

Ask for a licensed walk before you are committed

A home inspection is not the same as an electrician's look at the panel and branch work. Owners listing a cottage, buyers in due diligence, and property managers all use that visit to separate unsafe items from work that can wait. Request an estimate for a safety inspection if you want that walk on a specific house.

This page is for education only. It is not a quote, a rate card, a diagnosis, an inspection, or an assessment of a specific house. Request a written estimate when you want the work priced for your property.