Buying A House? Why Having the Wiring Checked is so Important

Think about it. You’ve just bought your dream home with a cozy fireplace and a big, beautiful backyard. One evening, you sit down and plug in your laptop when the lights start flickering.

After a few weeks, you hear buzzing noises from the walls and occasionally a burning smell that wafts from an outlet or an appliance.

You then proceed to call an electrician, who gives you the most shocking news: outdated wiring that could have led to electrocution or, even worse, fire! So what happens now?

You end up spending a boatload of money on having the wiring checked and rewiring your home, which could’ve been avoided if you had done a simple electrical inspection before purchasing the house.

When you’re looking to buy a new home, you consider several factors, such as location, neighborhood, accessibility, and so on. Often, inspection of the electrical system gets overlooked.

Why Having the Wiring Checked Is So Important

Why Is Electrical Inspection Necessary When Buying A House?

Let’s take a look at some reasons why electrical inspections are crucial before a house purchase.

1. Safety

The primary reason you need to conduct an electrical inspection before buying your dream house is to keep yourself and your family safe from potential electric and fire hazards. An electrical inspection can help in finding out the hidden dangers that lie within your walls.

2. Outdated Wiring

Some older homes have outdated wiring that wasn’t designed to handle modern-day appliances and devices.

For instance, some homes in the 1950s had “knob-and-tube” wiring with cloth insulation, which breaks down over time. These old homes also lacked proper grounding, which would lead to an increase in electric shocks.

Older homes’ outdated wiring system simply wasn’t built to power computers, gadgets, kitchen appliances all at once. Therefore, proper inspection of the house, no matter old or new, should be on the top of your priority list when buying a house.

3. Code Compliance

Older homes with outdated wiring may not meet the standard, but wait, that’s not all – it could also be illegal! Building codes and safety standards change over time to ensure safety and efficiency.

Doesn’t matter whether you are looking for electricians in Charlotte or Charleston, an electrical inspection can help identify whether the wiring complies with your local and current regulations and can help you negotiate your price with the seller.

4. Insurance Requirements

Insurance companies often take the electrical system of the house into account when determining coverage and premiums.

Some may refuse coverage or increase your rates if the wiring does not meet code requirements since the house will be seen as a risk. An electrical inspection can help buyers address these issues beforehand, thus reducing insurance expenses.

5. Identify Hidden Issues

Not all of the electrical problems that occur are visible. Some are lurking behind walls, or in the circuit breaker panel – a disaster waiting to happen.

A thorough electrical inspection can uncover hidden problems such as damaged wiring, overloaded circuits, and even inadequate grounding, and prevent potential disasters from occurring down the road.

6. Assess Electrical Capacity

In this day and age, we use more electricity than our predecessors did. Modern living demands more electrical power that older homes weren’t designed to handle.

With so many devices and gadgets to power, it’s crucial to ensure that the home you buy has the electrical capacity to meet the household’s needs.

An inspection before buying the house can help determine whether the existing system requires small upgrades or a complete rewiring of the entire house. You can then make an informed decision and negotiate prices with the seller accordingly.

7. Avoid Costly Repairs

A home is one of the biggest and most crucial investments you make. So, before signing the deal, it is imperative for you to understand the electrical system of your dream house. Why? Because it can save you from spending a fortune.

Electrical repairs can cost from anywhere around a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. Therefore, catching these small issues beforehand can help you negotiate with sellers.

Some sellers may agree to fix it up, but if not, you can ask for a reduction in the buying price to account for the repairs and upgrades you need to do on the house.

8. Negotiate With The Seller

After a thorough inspection, if the house you’re purchasing requires rewiring (which can be expensive), or small repairs and upgrades, you can present your findings to the seller and request for a reduction in price. The last thing you want is a costly surprise when you move into your new home.

What to Check: Visible Signs of Wiring Issues

While hiring a professional is necessary, here are some simple things you can look for yourself:

The Electrical Panel

Also known as the breaker box, modern homes require at least 100 amps of electricity, whereas more than that is better for larger homes. If the panel in the house you are buying is written 60 amps or less, the electrical system is outdated.

Outlets

Look at the outlets around the house. Two-prong outlets indicate older wiring, whereas three-prong outlets may be safer but are incorrectly installed. The kitchen, bathroom, garage, and outdoors should have GFCI outlets with test and reset buttons.

Look out for:

• Burn marks around sockets and outlets.
• Buzzing noises
• Loose outlets that wiggle
• Exposed wires with cracked insulation
• Signs for DIY electrical work

What to Do Next?

If the electrical inspection reveals issues, here are some things you can do when buying your house:

• Request the seller to fix the most serious issues before signing the deal.
• Request a lower price on the house to accommodate repair and upgrade costs.
• Ask for credit at closing to pay for electrical upgrades.
• If the problems are too severe, try considering a different house.

One thing to note is to get electrical findings and estimates in writing from a qualified and licensed electrician to back your negotiation.

While the look, feel, and smell of fresh paint, new countertops, and a luscious backyard may catch your eye, it’s what you can’t see that matters the most.

Checking the electrical system of the house you’ll buy is crucial to keeping your family safe, reducing repair costs, giving you peace of mind, and protecting your investment in the years to come.

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