Buying Property? 10 reasons to get an electrical inspection

In homes built before the 1990s, you might need to upgrade the switchboard and mains for today's electrical needs.
10 reasons to get an electrical inspection
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There are few purchases in life that are wrapped up in as much excitement, or risk, as your home – which can often be the biggest financial investment of your life.

For many homebuyers, this means splashing out on an existing property – one that may come with many decades of wear and tear, and some not-so-obvious, but very expensive, problems.

READ MORE: Is your home electrical switchboard a fire risk?

It’s why a building inspection is usually integrated as a purchase condition into the Offer to Purchase Contract. However, this is usually performed by a builder, not an electrician – and since your family’s safety is at risk in a home with unsafe wiring and outlets, you should always insist on an electrical inspection, too!

Here’s what you can expect in a comprehensive inspection by a licensed electrician:

  • A full electrical inspection of the power board and box
  • Testing the safety switches
  • Locating and testing the smoke alarms
  • Inspecting the health of main electrical lines that run throughout the house
  • Looking for exposed or damaged electrical wiring
  • Checking for outdated wiring
  • Identifying potential electrical hazards
  • Inspecting switches in all rooms
  • Testing all power points and lighting
  • Verifying that the electrical system complies with regulations

A word of caution on older homes

In any house built prior to the 1990s, it pays to be extra cautious, because you may be up for considerable expense in having to replace your switchboard and mains to enable them to cope with the electrical demands of today’s high-tech lifestyle.

Older-style switchboards just weren’t designed to cope with the type of load that comes from running today’s complex home security systems, heating and cooling units, home theatres, multiple computers, smart lighting and high-tech fridges.

Modern switchboards come with in-built safety switches that kill the mains supply in the event of a fire or electrocution hazard, such a leaking or exposed wire. Even worse, the old-fashioned ceramic fuses found in old switchboards are prone to catching fire.

However, if you are faced with having to replace your switchboard, you’ll likely have to replace your mains as well. This is because the supply cable has to be big enough to cope with modern demand, or it can be just as dangerous as the old switchboard. The more electricity we use, the hotter the cables get, so you need a mains big enough to cope with this load. 

Ongoing maintenance is important

So you’ve taken the plunge and bought your home … congratulations, we wish you many years of happy family memories.

Once you move in, maintenance is crucial – and it’s important to regularly inspect the electrical wiring, switchboard, earthing connections and appliances are in tip-top shape.

This is where Plum Trade Services’ highly reputable electricians are an asset.

They are some of the best in the business, are fully accredited and licensed, and are experts at solving any electrical problem you may encounter.

They are also the best people for any kind of lighting or electrical upgrades you may require down the track.

Call Plum Electrical today!

Your family’s health and safety come first and when it comes to anything electrical, you need to know that you are in the safest hands in the electrical business. 

None of Plum’s electricians are contractors – they are full-time Plum employees who embrace the same values of trust, honesty & integrity that our company is so well-known for. 

They are all qualified and licenced electricians who provide compliance certificates on all jobs. This is super-important when you get any electrical work done, because it guarantees that the work is up to code. 

They are punctual, reliable, and can be trusted to be clean and tidy around your home. But above all, they are always safe – ensuring you and your family can sleep easy after an electrical inspection. 

No matter whether you need an electrical inspection, your premises rewired, or are just in need of a simple repair, Plum Trade Services have you sorted. 

You can request a quote online here for all and any electrical work. This service is hassle-free, because we pride ourselves on putting your needs first. 

Or, you can jump on the telephone and give one of our friendly, award-winning customer service team a call on (03) 8851-6111 in Melbourne, or (03) 5292-2219 in Geelong.  

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