While the average electrical inspection price ranges between $100-$400, most homeowners pay about $200. Depending on the type of inspection required, you may pay more—or it could be free.

Most homeowners are familiar with getting their electrical work and fuse box checked during the home buying process. But there are other times, like before and after starting a renovation, home addition, or even upgrading major appliances, when getting an electric inspection is advised or required.

Compared to other potentially costly problems homeowners encounter, electrical inspections are on the cheaper side of preventative house care.

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How much does an electrical inspection cost?

The average electrical inspection costs about $200 but can go as high as $400. This is a flat rate, and no additional fees are typically tacked on. If a problem is found, the inspector will direct you to an electrician.

Rates/location: Inspectors are in charge of their rates for inspection. Levels of experience, seasonality of the business, and the cost in each state will vary.

Type of inspection: This will be addressed below, but there are a few different types of inspections that will also impact how much you pay.

Size of job: Here, we’ll cover electrical inspections for residential properties, not commercial businesses. Keep in mind that there will be a cost difference between a single-family home and a four-unit apartment building.

Difficulty of access: If the electrical panel is in a hard-to-reach location or requires extra work to open, this can impact the price of the service.

What does an electrical inspector look for?

The main goal of an electrical inspector is to ensure that your electrical system is safe and code-compliant. The inspection will happen inside and outside of the home.

For the outside portion, the inspector will examine the meter box for rust and water threats, unprotected wires, and verify that appropriate types of wires are being used.

They will check the electrical panel and look for signs of overheating and corrosion. The inspector wants to ensure the electrical panel withstands the amount of electricity the home uses.

Here are a few other things they will look for:

Accessible and visible junction boxes

Correctly wired ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI)

Test outlets, look for unsafe wiring or loose switch plates

Make note of how many extension cords are in use

Proper grounding

What is the difference between an electrical inspector and an electrician?

While an electrical inspector and an electrician seem like they can be the same person doing the same job, there is a very important distinction between the two.

An electrical inspector is called after a job by a licensed electrician has been completed, and an electrician performs an inspection on your existing electrical system before they start a job. Why does this matter?

An inspector can and will report any safety issues to the city and can stop construction on your home build or renovation project if things aren’t up to code.

An electrician will perform a safety check and let you know how much it will cost for any code updates or price your future home project.

What kind of electrical inspection do I need?

There are three basic types of electrical inspections, and the cost will vary depending on your requirements.

Home inspection

This is the type of inspection most homeowners are more familiar with.

If you have signed up for a home inspection during the home buying process, the electrical inspection will give you a report on your electrical system, along with structural and plumbing reports.

The average home inspection costs between $200-500.

General electrical inspection

A general inspection when you aren’t buying, selling, or making changes to your home usually isn’t necessary unless you suspect a problem, such as circuit breakers tripping frequently or you notice that your lights are flickering.

This will cost you around $200, and you will receive a report of the status of your electrical system.

Code compliance

This type of inspection is usually free of charge since it is done when an electrician is already doing work on your home.

They need to ensure that the updates they’re making are up to your state's current code requirements. If you are doing major renovations or a new build, the code compliance officer may conduct frequent inspections during the process.

Do I need an electrical inspection?

Maybe! Take a look at the chart below to determine if you need an electrical inspection.

Inspection Type	Inspection Reason	Cost	Potential Outcome
Home inspection	Buying or selling a home	Billed with a whole home inspection, which is between $200-$500	Owner and buyer get a report showing what work (if any) is needed to bring the home to code, potential hazards, and improvements with estimated cost
General inspection	Burning smells, flickering lights, circuits breakers tripping, sudden increase in energy usage, living in an older home and plan to add large appliances to your electrical panel	Average cost $200, can be as much as $400	Completed by an electrician, who will give you a report on electrical system issues and the cost of repairs
Code compliance	During regular electrical work or in the course of renovations to ensure work is code compliant	Free or built into the cost of current electrical work	Owner and builder will get ongoing updates. Work may be halted until permits or updates are made

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The best companies for an electrical inspection

Electrical inspectors are regional and usually involve independent contractors, not national companies. Most cities have a list of approved electrical inspectors on file, so contacting your local municipality is the best place to start.

Another way to find a good electrical inspector or electrician is by checking out reviews from the following home service sites. (If you are doing major renovations, search for a general contractor, and if you need your electrical system checked out for maintenance or repairs, look for an electrician.)

How to save on homeowners insurance

While the cost for an electrical inspection isn’t too bad, if your home fails inspection and requires extensive electrical work, those costs can be incredibly high.

One way to free up more cash for rainy-day repairs is to find a more affordable home insurance policy—and

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