My husband and I bought a house that was recently renovated after a fire, but we have some concerns about the electrical work done. The place looks good, but it feels like they cut corners with cheap materials. I assumed all the wiring was replaced since the house was burned down, but now I'm not sure. We've experienced issues like blown fuses when we run multiple appliances, and several outlets just don't work at all. Is it necessary to have the electrical wiring inspected before selling a house? Could these signs indicate that the wiring was poorly done?
3 Answers
Generally, the responsibility to inspect falls on the buyer, not the seller. Even though it might seem wise to get inspections done before selling, it's not legally required everywhere. However, if there are known electrical issues or safety concerns, it's best for a seller to get them sorted out beforehand to avoid future problems during negotiations.
You should definitely contact your local building department to check if any permits were issued for the renovations. If new wiring was done, it generally requires permits and inspections. If you’re having problems with blown fuses, this could mean the wiring wasn't up to code. It's also a good idea to consult an electrician to examine the circuits and see if they can advise on safety and necessary fixes.
Absolutely! And they can help prioritize what needs fixing first, especially for safety.
From what you've described, it sounds like there could be some serious wiring issues, especially with outlets and blown fuses. Having high-load appliances on the same circuit can definitely cause problems. Ideally, each appliance should have its own circuit. Get an electrician in to assess the situation since you shouldn't mess with electrical systems without proper training.
Right! It's about safety first. Just because it was renovated doesn’t mean it was done well.
It's true! If a buyer finds issues later on, it can lead to making disclosures that might affect the sale price.