When shopping for a new home, you’ll attend open houses and private tours with a real estate agent. While it’s natural to focus on the landscape, layout, countertops, and amenities, residential electricians remind potential homebuyers to take a closer look at the bones of a property. Here’s a list of signs indicating a home needs electrical work, so you can negotiate the price and plan accordingly for updates. 

4 Signs a Home for Sale Needs Electrical Work

1. Limited Outlets

Today, having access to multiple outlets in every room is a must, so you can plug in televisions, appliances, lighting fixtures, and chargers for smartphones and tablets.

When touring older houses, scan for the presence of outlets or the excessive use of extension cords and surge protectors. When outlets are limited, rewiring to add more power sources can be done with the help of a seasoned electrician. 

2. Old or Outdated Breaker Box

As part of your home inspection, locate the breaker box or main electrical panel. Open the lid to confirm there’s a main disconnect as opposed to an outdated multi-throw disconnect that requires the shut off of multiple breakers in an emergency situation.

The wiring and interior of the box should also be clearly labeled and organized with each switch going to a single wire. 

3. Two-Prong Outlets

Two-prong outlets have a neutral and a hot wire only. Without the third prong, meant for grounding and protecting from short-circuiting or high voltages, your home and the appliances you plug into these outlets are at a higher safety risk.

Plus, many items that depend on power have three-prong plugs. Older homes with two-prong outlets will need to be updated to add a grounding wire. This type of electrical work is doable, but it’s worth negotiating a lower offer with a real estate agent knowing you’ll need this updated right away. 

4. Outdated Wiring 

When it comes to electrical wiring, safety is a top priority to reduce the risk of fire, short-circuiting, and power surges. By keeping wires up to date, you’ll minimize these hazards.

Visibly frayed, damaged, old, or overloaded wires, conduits, and boxes will need to be replaced. In addition to these signs, the presence of stained outlets, flickering lights, or breakers that trip with frequency also indicate you’ll need to invest in rewiring a property. 

 

If you’re looking for a residential electrician to inspect a property and determine whether the wiring is up to par, call RM Electrical today at (618) 939-0422 for a free service estimate. This family-owned business has served clients across St. Clair, Monroe, and Madison County, IL, for over a decade with a commitment to quality service at fair prices. To better understand their electrical repair specialties, visit them online.