A residential electrical inspection is a professional assessment of your home's entire electrical system, from the service panel and wiring to outlets. A licensed electrician or certified inspector examines every accessible component to identify code violations and safety risks.

How Much Does an Electrical Inspection Cost?

The cost of an electrical inspection varies depending on the size of the home, its location, and the scope of the inspection. Here is the typical cost range:

• Basic electrical safety inspection of a small house or condo (under 1,000 sq ft): $100–$250

• Standard residential electrical inspection (1,000–2,500 sq ft single-family home): $150–$400

• Large home or complex system(2,500–4,000 sq ft): $400–$700+

• Older home (pre-1980 wiring): +$200 – $600

• Infrared electrical inspection (thermal scan): +$150–$350

• Commercial electrical inspection: $300–$1,000+

• Electrical inspection certificate (EIC): $150 – $300

Factors that impact this cost include:

• Home size and age. More square feet means more panels and circuits to check. Pre-1970 homes with knob-and-tube or aluminium wiring require greater scrutiny due to the increased safety risks.  

• Accessibility of panels and wiring. Blocked access increases the price.

• Advanced diagnostics. A standard visual inspection costs less than an infrared electrical inspection, which uses thermal cameras to detect hidden hot spots.

What Does an Electrical Home Inspection Include?

• Main service panel

• Grounding and bonding

• Wiring condition

• GFCI & AFCI protection

• Outlets and switches

• Circuit loads

• Signs of overheating

What to Expect During an Electrical Inspection

Electrical inspections often include two stages. Rough-in inspection occurs before walls are closed. In this inspection, the inspector checks rough cable runs, including:

• cable routing

• box placement

• grounding

• circuit layout

The final inspection occurs after installation is complete, and everything in the house is finished, but before you begin using the house. Inspectors confirm the proper installation of devices and circuits, and that they are functioning correctly, etc.

Electrical inspection can be easier to pass if the inspector is reviewing the work of a professional electrician. For amateur electricians doing electrical work in their own homes, an inspection will be more thorough.

Electrical Inspection Checklist (Quick Overview)

A professional electrical inspection verifies safety, functionality, and compliance with electrical codes.

Service & Panel

• Proper service size and amperage capacity

• Secure breaker connections

• Correct breaker sizing

• Panel accessibility and required clearances

• Accurate circuit labeling

• No double-tapped breakers

• No signs of overheating or corrosion

Grounding & Bonding

• Proper grounding electrode system

• Bonding of metal piping and structural components

• Ground rods and connections intact

• Neutral and ground separation in subpanels

Wiring & Circuit Protection

• Code-compliant wiring types

• Proper wire gauge for circuit amperage

• Secure cable routing and fastening

• Junction boxes with covers installed

• AFCI protection in required living areas

• GFCI protection in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, basements, outdoors, and near water sources

Outlets & Switches

• Properly wired receptacles

• Tamper-resistant outlets where required

• GFCI-protected receptacles near water sources

• Weatherproof exterior outlets with in-use covers

• Securely mounted switches and receptacles

Lighting & Fixtures

• Properly installed light fixtures

• Approved boxes supporting fixture weight

• No exposed wiring at fixtures

• Functional lighting circuits

Electrical Boxes & Enclosures

• Boxes flush with wall surfaces

• Adequate box size for conductor fill

• Secure mounting and proper covers

• Proper connectors and strain relief

Cable Protection & Routing

• Cables protected from physical damage

• Nail plates installed where wiring is near the stud faces

• Cables secured within required distances

• Proper conduit use where required

Safety Devices & Systems

• Smoke detectors are properly powered and interconnected

• Carbon monoxide detectors installed where required

• Whole-home surge protection (recommended)

Appliances & Dedicated Circuits

• Dedicated circuits for major appliances

• Proper disconnects where required

• Correct receptacle types for appliances and HVAC

Safety & Code Compliance

• No exposed splices or open junctions

• No overheating, burning, or arcing signs

• Electrical system meets NEC/local code requirements

Optional Advanced Checks

Some inspectors may also use:

• Infrared thermal imaging to detect overheating

• Load testing for panel capacity

• Voltage drop testing on long circuits

When Should You Schedule an Inspection?

Consider an inspection when buying or selling a home or renovating an existing one. If you live in a pre-1970s home that has not been renovated, this is also good grounds to schedule an electrical inspection.

Nassau National Cable sells home copper wiring guaranteed to pass an electrical inspection.