What to Expect During a Home Electrical Inspection
Whether you’re buying a new home, renovating, or just want peace of mind, a home electrical inspection is a smart move. It ensures your property is safe, up to code, and running efficiently. But if you’ve never had one done before, you might be wondering, what actually happens during an electrical inspection?
Why Have a Home Electrical Inspection?
Electrical systems wear out over time, just like plumbing or roofing. Wires degrade, switchboards become outdated, and standards change. Regular inspections help you:
- Avoid fire hazards
- Detect hidden faults
- Ensure compliance with WA electrical safety laws
- Prevent costly future repairs
- Protect your family, tenants, or buyers
If you’re selling or buying a property, a professional inspection also helps speed up settlement and avoid last-minute surprises.
What Does an Electrical Inspection Include?
At Nixon Electrical, we provide a comprehensive top-to-bottom check of your home’s electrical system. Here’s what we typically cover:
Switchboard Assessment
We inspect your switchboard to check for:
- Working RCDs (safety switches)
- Circuit breakers in good condition
- Signs of overheating or corrosion
- Compliance with regulations
If you’ve got an old ceramic fuse box or no RCDs installed, we’ll let you know what needs upgrading.
Power Points and Light Switches
We check every accessible outlet and light switch for:
- Correct wiring
- Firm installation
- No signs of burning or wear
- Safe operation under load
Loose or cracked outlets are more than an eyesore, they’re a safety hazard.
Wiring and Cabling
We look for:
- Faulty or outdated wiring (e.g. rubber or cloth-insulated cables)
- Overloaded circuits
- Damage from rodents, pests, or age
- Proper earthing of the system
You may not see what’s behind the walls, but we have the tools to detect hidden faults.
Smoke Alarms
We test each smoke alarm for:
- Correct placement and installation
- Expiry dates and compliance with WA laws
- Proper functionality (yes, we press the button!)
Smoke alarm regulations have changed in recent years, especially for rentals and properties being sold.
Lighting and Appliances
We check internal and external lighting, ceiling fans, and any fixed electrical appliances to make sure they’re:
- Securely installed
- Drawing the correct load
- Not posing any safety risks
After the Inspection: What You’ll Get
Once we’ve completed the inspection, we provide:
- A clear, easy-to-understand report
- Photos (where applicable) to show any issues
- Recommendations for repairs, upgrades, or replacements
- A no-obligation quote if any work is required
We’re always happy to walk you through the findings and answer any questions.
How Long Does It Take?
Most inspections take 1 to 2 hours, depending on the size of your property. Larger homes or older buildings may take longer if there’s more wiring or hard-to-access areas involved. We always book a time that suits you, arrive promptly, and carry out the work with minimal disruption.