Make Sure Your House Meets Electrical Code Before Selling – Part 2
Part 2 will discuss Home Selling Considerations and Common Code Violations.
Home Selling Considerations
A homeowner will want to make their home attractive to potential buyers before listing. The State of Maryland requires a seller to reveal the problems that could impact the value of their home. The following are the sellers’ two options:
- Seller can fully disclose every known defect or
- Seller may provide a disclaimer, selling the property “as is.”
In the 2nd option, the seller is still required to reveal all defects they are aware of personally. The failure to disclose known unsafe electrical wiring conditions may result in liability for resulting injuries or accidents.
Although it seems more straightforward, the sale of a home using the “as is” option will adversely affect the selling price of the home. In addition, potential buyers may avoid the home because of restrictions presented by financing and insurance firms.
FHA loan approvals require that a home meet current electrical standards. In the same way, insurance companies may be unwilling to insure a house that does not comply with electrical codes.
Common Code Violations
Prior to listing your home for sale, strongly consider have a licensed electrician inspect your house’s electrical system. They will be keeping an eye on the common NEC violations listed below.
- Breaker boxes older than 30 years
- Electrical outlets improperly grounded
- Electrical outlets without tamper-resistant receptacles
- Electrical switches wired without using a neutral wire
- Electrical work performed by an unlicensed person
- Improperly installed or defective breaker boxes
- Inadequate clearance in front of the electrical service panel
- Inadequate electrical grounding
- Inadequate electric service (older home may only have 60-amp service, while 200-amp is now the standard)
- Insufficient GFCIs or AFCIs (arc-fault circuit interrupters)
- Insufficient number of electrical outlets for the wall space
- Outdated or faulty wiring
- Spliced wiring not enclosed by junction box
- Wrong circuit breaker selection
- Wrong covers installed on outdoor electrical outlets
Electrical Services You Can Trust
Founded in 1991 and serving Maryland, Virginia, and D.C., where we are licensed and insured, Meyer Electrical Services provides home and commercial electrical services you can trust, including:
- Standby Generator Installation
- Panel Upgrades (Heavy-Ups)
- Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations
- Structured Cabling
- Circuit Breaker Replacement
Based in Bethesda, our team proudly serves all of Montgomery County. Receive a free consultation for custom electrical work today by calling (301) 941-1400.