Buying · 6 min read
Electrical Inspection Checklist Before Buying a House
Use this checklist to evaluate the electrical system of any Philadelphia home before you buy: service size, panel condition, grounding, GFCI and wiring type.
Before buying a house, verify the service size, panel brand and condition, presence of grounding, GFCI and AFCI protection, wiring type, detector coverage, and whether past work was permitted and inspected.
The checklist
- Service size: 100A, 200A or higher
- Panel brand and age; look for Federal Pacific or Zinsco
- Open breaker slots for future circuits
- Grounded outlets throughout
- GFCI protection in wet areas
- Wiring type: copper, aluminum, cloth or knob-and-tube
- Working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Evidence of permitted, inspected past work
- Exterior service mast and meter condition
Get a dedicated electrical evaluation
A general home inspection is a visual overview. A licensed electrician can quantify the cost of any required corrections so you can negotiate accurately.