Home Buyer Electrical Inspection

Quick answer

A general home inspector looks at the electrical system for a few minutes. We spend an hour or more on it: we open the panel, test outlets and GFCI protection, check for aluminum wiring, Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels and code problems, and give you a written report with a fixed-price quote for anything that needs fixing. Buyers use it to negotiate, and sellers use it to fix problems before listing.

What we inspect

Service size and whether it fits the home and your plans, such as an EV charger or hot tub. Panel brand and condition, including recalled or problem panels. Grounding and bonding. Outlet wiring, polarity and GFCI and AFCI protection. Visible wiring in attics, crawl spaces and garages. Smoke and carbon monoxide detector coverage. Signs of DIY work, overloaded circuits or heat damage. Outdoor and detached-building power.

North Idaho specifics

Kootenai County has a lot of 1970s to 1990s housing with original panels, plus older homes near downtown Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls, and a steady stream of newer builds. Each has its own common issues, and we know what to look for in each.

What you get

A plain-English written report with photos, a list of safety items versus nice-to-haves, and a fixed price for any repairs, so you know exactly what to ask for in negotiations or what to budget after closing.

How it works

Call with your inspection deadline. We schedule the visit, usually within a few days. We inspect, test and photograph. You get the report and quote, typically the same day, and we are available to talk it through with you or your agent.

Verify our license yourself

Problem Solved Electric holds Idaho electrical contractor license 072429 and is licensed in Washington. You can look up either license on the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses website or the Washington Labor and Industries contractor lookup.

Call (208) 352-0662 to schedule an electrical inspection before your contingency deadline in Kootenai County or the Spokane area.
Frequently asked questions about home buyer electrical inspections
Does a home inspector already check the electrical?
Briefly. A general inspector covers the whole house in a few hours. We focus only on the electrical system, open the panel and test circuits, which is how FPE panels, aluminum wiring and missing grounds get found.
How fast can you do an inspection?
We know contingency windows are short. Call with your deadline and we will fit it in, usually within a few days, with the report typically the same day as the visit.
Do you also inspect for sellers?
Yes. A pre-listing electrical inspection lets you fix problems on your timeline instead of during negotiations, and the passed permits become a selling point.

Typical cost

A real estate electrical inspection with a written report is a flat $600. It is a visual, non-invasive review of the accessible electrical system, and the report lists safety concerns, code issues and items that need repair or further evaluation, with photos. Any repairs you decide to make are quoted separately with a fixed price. You can book the inspection online, and sales tax is added where it applies.