Safety & inspections

Electrical safety inspection

An electrical safety inspection is a hands-on check of the panel, wiring, grounding, devices and protection by a licensed electrician. It is worth doing when you buy an older home, an insurer asks, after a flood or fire, or before a big electrical project.

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About electrical safety inspection

A general home inspection notes visible issues; an electrician's inspection goes further. They open the panel, check breaker sizing against wire size, look for double taps and aluminum, test GFCI and AFCI devices and check grounding and bonding.

You get a prioritized list: what is a hazard now, what should be fixed soon, and what can wait for a remodel.

Electrical Safety Inspection at a glance: Safety & inspections
Who does the work: An independent licensed electrician
Urgent calls: Usually scheduled
Typical first step: Panel and service

Signs you need this

Buying or selling a home over 30 years old
Insurance questions about the panel or wiring
After flooding, fire or a lightning strike
Before adding major loads such as an EV charger

What the electrician does

1
Panel and service
Panel condition, breaker sizing, grounding and bonding are checked.
2
Branch circuits and devices
A sample of outlets, switches and fixtures is tested.
3
Report
Findings are prioritized by safety.

What affects the cost

Electricians set their own prices. These are the factors that move a quote up or down, so you can compare like for like.

Home size
Written report requirements
Access to attic and crawl space
Specialized testing

What you can do safely, and when to stop

Safe to do

✓ Gather any past permits and the panel label

Stop and call

✕ Do not remove the panel cover to look yourself

Key terms

Polarity: Whether the hot and neutral wires are connected to the correct terminals; reversed polarity is a shock hazard.
Grounding electrode: A rod or other conductor connecting the electrical system to the earth.
Open junction box: A wiring box without a cover, leaving splices exposed.

Electrical Safety Inspection FAQ

Is an electrical inspection different from a home inspection?

Yes. A licensed electrician goes deeper into the panel and circuits than a general home inspection.

What does an electrical inspection include?

Typically the panel and breakers, grounding and bonding, a sample of outlets and switches tested for polarity and ground, GFCI and AFCI protection, visible wiring in the attic and basement, and smoke and CO alarms.

How is an electrician's inspection different from a home inspection?

A home inspector notes visible concerns across the whole house. A licensed electrician opens the panel, tests circuits and can explain what fixing each issue involves.

When should I get an electrical inspection?

Before buying an older home, after a flood, fire or major storm, before adding major loads such as an EV charger or heat pump, when an insurer asks, and when a home is 40 or more years old and has never been checked.

How long does an electrical inspection take?

Often one to a few hours for a single-family home, depending on its size and how many panels and circuits it has.

Is a permit inspection the same thing?

No. A permit inspection is done by the building department to approve specific permitted work. A safety inspection is an evaluation you request from an electrician.

Will I get a written report?

Ask for one before booking. A written report with photos is useful for negotiations, insurance and planning repairs.

What are the most common findings?

Double-tapped breakers, missing GFCI protection, ungrounded outlets, open junction boxes, amateur splices, outdated panels and smoke alarms past their 10-year life.

Where electricians offer this

Local guides to electrical safety inspection, with permit offices, housing and utility notes for each city:

Available through our network in 47 states and DC. Metro guides:

Birmingham, AL Huntsville, AL Phoenix, AZ Tucson, AZ Little Rock, AR Los Angeles, CA San Diego, CA Sacramento, CA San Francisco, CA San Jose, CA Fresno, CA Bakersfield, CA Long Beach, CA Oakland, CA Pasadena, CA Denver, CO Colorado Springs, CO Hartford, CT New Haven, CT Wilmington, DE Washington, DC Miami, FL Tampa, FL Orlando, FL Jacksonville, FL Saint Petersburg, FL Fort Lauderdale, FL Atlanta, GA Boise, ID Chicago, IL Indianapolis, IN Des Moines, IA Wichita, KS Louisville, KY New Orleans, LA Baton Rouge, LA Shreveport, LA Baltimore, MD Boston, MA Grand Rapids, MI Minneapolis, MN Saint Paul, MN Kansas City, MO Omaha, NE Lincoln, NE Las Vegas, NV Reno, NV Manchester, NH Trenton, NJ Newark, NJ Albuquerque, NM New York, NY Albany, NY Syracuse, NY Charlotte, NC Greensboro, NC Columbus, OH Cleveland, OH Dayton, OH Akron, OH Oklahoma City, OK Tulsa, OK Portland, OR Philadelphia, PA Pittsburgh, PA Providence, RI Charleston, SC Greenville, SC Nashville, TN Chattanooga, TN Houston, TX Dallas, TX San Antonio, TX Austin, TX Fort Worth, TX Salt Lake City, UT Virginia Beach, VA Norfolk, VA Seattle, WA Spokane, WA Tacoma, WA Huntington, WV Charleston, WV Milwaukee, WI Madison, WI All locations →

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Need help with electrical safety inspection?

Call now, or send a request and a licensed electrician who serves your ZIP code will contact you.

Call (555) 010-0142 Request service