When was the last time you had your home’s electrical system inspected? If you’re like most homeowners, it probably wasn’t recently. Yet behind your walls, ceilings, and outlets lies a network of wires and circuits that keep everything running — and when something goes wrong, the consequences can be serious.

This article breaks down what actually happens during a residential electrical inspection, why it matters for safety, compliance, and insurance purposes, and how you can prepare your home ahead of time. Whether you're buying, selling, remodeling, or simply want peace of mind, a thorough electrical inspection is one of the smartest decisions you can make.

Why Electrical Inspections Are Essential

It’s easy to take electricity for granted. Flip a switch, and the lights come on. But outdated wiring, overloaded panels, and poorly installed circuits are among the most common causes of house fires in the U.S.

Here’s why regular inspections matter:

• Prevent fire hazards by identifying outdated or damaged wiring.
• Protect your family from potential electrical shocks.
• Ensure compliance with the latest National Electrical Code (NEC).
• Avoid costly breakdowns by catching problems early.
• Satisfy insurance and real estate requirements.

At Cain Electric, we’ve seen first-hand how minor issues can spiral into major problems — and how easy they are to prevent with a proactive inspection.

Learn more about our residential electrical services.

When to Schedule an Electrical Inspection

While many homeowners wait until something goes wrong, these are the most common (and ideal) times to schedule a professional inspection:

• Before buying or selling a home
• During major renovations or additions
• If your home is over 25 years old
• After storm, flood, or fire damage
• If you’re adding new high-powered appliances
• Before installing a generator or EV charger

If any of these scenarios apply to you, now is the time to act. Don’t wait until you're in the dark — literally.

What Happens During a Residential Electrical Inspection?

Here’s what you can expect when a licensed electrician from Cain Electric conducts an inspection:

1. Visual Assessment

We begin with a top-to-bottom walk-through of your home. We inspect:

• Circuit breaker panel
• Visible wiring
• Outlets and switches
• Light fixtures and ceiling fans
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Grounding and bonding

We're not just looking for cosmetic damage — we’re looking for signs of overheating, moisture exposure, corrosion, and unsafe DIY repairs.

2. Panel and Circuit Evaluation

The electrical panel (breaker box) is the brain of your home's electrical system. We check:

• Proper labeling of circuits
• Signs of rust or overheating
• Amperage and load capacity
• Faulty breakers or connections

Many older homes still run on 100-amp panels, which may not be sufficient for today’s electrical needs (especially if you plan to install EV chargers or backup generators).

3. Outlet and GFCI Testing

We test multiple outlets throughout the home using voltage testers and GFCI trip testers. We look for:

• Proper grounding
• Correct polarity
• GFCI protection in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor areas
• Signs of loose wiring or arcing

Non-working or improperly wired outlets are common — and dangerous — especially in older homes.

4. Wiring Condition Check

Where accessible (in attics, basements, crawlspaces), we examine wiring for:

• Damage from pests
• Fraying or cracking insulation
• Signs of overheating
• Outdated wiring types (e.g., knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring)

Modern homes use copper wiring with safe, updated insulation. If your system uses older materials, we’ll recommend an upgrade plan that fits your timeline and budget.

5. Grounding & Bonding Verification

Proper grounding protects your home and devices during surges or lightning strikes. We verify:

• Ground rod connections
• Main panel grounding
• Bonding of metal piping and gas lines

Many homeowners are unaware that poor grounding is a major cause of damage to electronics and appliances.

6. Safety Code Compliance Check

Your inspection will ensure your system meets current NEC code requirements, including:

• Tamper-resistant outlets in required areas
• AFCI protection in bedrooms and living spaces
• Proper clearances around panel boxes
• No overloaded circuits or unsafe modifications

Code compliance isn’t just a formality — it protects your home, your family, and your investment.

Common Issues Found in Home Inspections

After inspecting hundreds of homes across Missouri, here are the issues we encounter most often:

• Double-tapped breakers (two wires on a single breaker)
• Ungrounded outlets
• Missing or faulty GFCI protection
• Overloaded panels
• Improper junction boxes or wire splices
• DIY wiring errors
• Aluminum wiring without proper connectors

Each of these issues can result in fire hazards, equipment damage, or electrocution risk. We’ll help you prioritize repairs and provide straightforward quotes for fixes — no upsells or pressure tactics.

How to Prepare for Your Inspection

You don’t need to do much, but these steps will make your inspection faster and smoother:

• Unlock access panels, basements, and crawlspaces
• Clear clutter around your breaker box and outlets
• List any known issues or recent electrical events
• Let us know about future plans (EV charger, remodel, generator, etc.)

Being prepared allows us to tailor recommendations to your home and lifestyle — whether you're upgrading appliances or going solar.

Cost of a Residential Electrical Inspection

Most standard inspections are affordable — often less than the cost of a single emergency repair. The exact price depends on the size and complexity of your home, but we’re always transparent about pricing.

Inspections may also be bundled with installations like:

• Backup Generators
• EV Chargers
• Storm Damage Repairs

Reach out to Cain Electric for a personalized quote — we’re happy to walk you through your options.

How Often Should You Schedule an Inspection?

Here’s a quick guide:

Peace of Mind Starts with a Simple Checkup

You don't have to be an expert to keep your home safe — you just need one on your team.

A professional electrical inspection by Cain Electric is a small investment that could prevent thousands of dollars in damage and keep your family out of harm’s way. We take pride in offering honest evaluations, clear explanations, and reliable solutions for homeowners across Missouri.

Schedule your inspection today.

Ready to Schedule Your Electrical Inspection?

Don’t wait for flickering lights or tripped breakers to take action. Contact Cain Electric and get the peace of mind that your home’s electrical system is safe, efficient, and up to code.

Reach out now through our Contact Page.

What to Expect During a Residential Electrical Inspection (And Why It Matters)

When was the last time you had your home’s electrical system inspected? If you’re like most homeowners, it probably wasn’t recently. Yet behind your walls, ceilings, and outlets lies a network of wires and circuits that keep everything running — and when something goes wrong, the consequences can be serious.

This article breaks down what actually happens during a residential electrical inspection, why it matters for safety, compliance, and insurance purposes, and how you can prepare your home ahead of time. Whether you're buying, selling, remodeling, or simply want peace of mind, a thorough electrical inspection is one of the smartest decisions you can make.

Why Electrical Inspections Are Essential

It’s easy to take electricity for granted. Flip a switch, and the lights come on. But outdated wiring, overloaded panels, and poorly installed circuits are among the most common causes of house fires in the U.S.

Here’s why regular inspections matter:

• Prevent fire hazards by identifying outdated or damaged wiring.
• Protect your family from potential electrical shocks.
• Ensure compliance with the latest National Electrical Code (NEC).
• Avoid costly breakdowns by catching problems early.
• Satisfy insurance and real estate requirements.

At Cain Electric, we’ve seen first-hand how minor issues can spiral into major problems — and how easy they are to prevent with a proactive inspection.

Learn more about our residential electrical services.

When to Schedule an Electrical Inspection

While many homeowners wait until something goes wrong, these are the most common (and ideal) times to schedule a professional inspection:

• Before buying or selling a home
• During major renovations or additions
• If your home is over 25 years old
• After storm, flood, or fire damage
• If you’re adding new high-powered appliances
• Before installing a generator or EV charger

If any of these scenarios apply to you, now is the time to act. Don’t wait until you're in the dark — literally.

What Happens During a Residential Electrical Inspection?

Here’s what you can expect when a licensed electrician from Cain Electric conducts an inspection:

1. Visual Assessment

We begin with a top-to-bottom walk-through of your home. We inspect:

• Circuit breaker panel
• Visible wiring
• Outlets and switches
• Light fixtures and ceiling fans
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Grounding and bonding

We're not just looking for cosmetic damage — we’re looking for signs of overheating, moisture exposure, corrosion, and unsafe DIY repairs.

2. Panel and Circuit Evaluation

The electrical panel (breaker box) is the brain of your home's electrical system. We check:

• Proper labeling of circuits
• Signs of rust or overheating
• Amperage and load capacity
• Faulty breakers or connections

Many older homes still run on 100-amp panels, which may not be sufficient for today’s electrical needs (especially if you plan to install EV chargers or backup generators).

3. Outlet and GFCI Testing

We test multiple outlets throughout the home using voltage testers and GFCI trip testers. We look for:

• Proper grounding
• Correct polarity
• GFCI protection in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor areas
• Signs of loose wiring or arcing

Non-working or improperly wired outlets are common — and dangerous — especially in older homes.

4. Wiring Condition Check

Where accessible (in attics, basements, crawlspaces), we examine wiring for:

• Damage from pests
• Fraying or cracking insulation
• Signs of overheating
• Outdated wiring types (e.g., knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring)

Modern homes use copper wiring with safe, updated insulation. If your system uses older materials, we’ll recommend an upgrade plan that fits your timeline and budget.

5. Grounding & Bonding Verification

Proper grounding protects your home and devices during surges or lightning strikes. We verify:

• Ground rod connections
• Main panel grounding
• Bonding of metal piping and gas lines

Many homeowners are unaware that poor grounding is a major cause of damage to electronics and appliances.

6. Safety Code Compliance Check

Your inspection will ensure your system meets current NEC code requirements, including:

• Tamper-resistant outlets in required areas
• AFCI protection in bedrooms and living spaces
• Proper clearances around panel boxes
• No overloaded circuits or unsafe modifications

Code compliance isn’t just a formality — it protects your home, your family, and your investment.

Common Issues Found in Home Inspections

After inspecting hundreds of homes across Missouri, here are the issues we encounter most often:

• Double-tapped breakers (two wires on a single breaker)
• Ungrounded outlets
• Missing or faulty GFCI protection
• Overloaded panels
• Improper junction boxes or wire splices
• DIY wiring errors
• Aluminum wiring without proper connectors

Each of these issues can result in fire hazards, equipment damage, or electrocution risk. We’ll help you prioritize repairs and provide straightforward quotes for fixes — no upsells or pressure tactics.

How to Prepare for Your Inspection

You don’t need to do much, but these steps will make your inspection faster and smoother:

• Unlock access panels, basements, and crawlspaces
• Clear clutter around your breaker box and outlets
• List any known issues or recent electrical events
• Let us know about future plans (EV charger, remodel, generator, etc.)

Being prepared allows us to tailor recommendations to your home and lifestyle — whether you're upgrading appliances or going solar.

Cost of a Residential Electrical Inspection

Most standard inspections are affordable — often less than the cost of a single emergency repair. The exact price depends on the size and complexity of your home, but we’re always transparent about pricing.

Inspections may also be bundled with installations like:

• Backup Generators
• EV Chargers
• Storm Damage Repairs

Reach out to Cain Electric for a personalized quote — we’re happy to walk you through your options.

How Often Should You Schedule an Inspection?

Here’s a quick guide:

Peace of Mind Starts with a Simple Checkup

You don't have to be an expert to keep your home safe — you just need one on your team.

A professional electrical inspection by Cain Electric is a small investment that could prevent thousands of dollars in damage and keep your family out of harm’s way. We take pride in offering honest evaluations, clear explanations, and reliable solutions for homeowners across Missouri.

Schedule your inspection today.

Ready to Schedule Your Electrical Inspection?

Don’t wait for flickering lights or tripped breakers to take action. Contact Cain Electric and get the peace of mind that your home’s electrical system is safe, efficient, and up to code.

Reach out now through our Contact Page.