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An Electrical System Assessment Checklist for First Time Home Buyers

Getting married, having a baby, and purchasing a home are significant chapters in family life. They are as enjoyable as they are stressful. At Electric Heating Expert, we value the need to know all the pitfalls associated with the electrical side of things when buying a home. Below is a checklist that we have compiled to help make the process less of a hustle for you.

1. What Are the Monthly Costs?

When viewing prospective homes, it would be best to ask about the average utility bills for gas, water, and electricity. They are expenses that you must factor into your home budget in the future.

2. Make Plans For a Comprehensive Home Inspection

Plan to have the home inspected before signing the contract? It is a safe call since you never know what defects and other problems the new tiles, freshly painted walls, granite worktops, or built-in oven conceal. The issues can include faulty electric heating circuits, fuse boxes, water and gas supply glitches, and problems with the electrical cabling and mains earthing, among other issues.

Hire a qualified electrician to assess the property’s electrical system to take you through their survey results, pointing out the potential areas of concern that need correcting. But you also should book a formal investigation or Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). It will cover areas like fixtures and fittings as well as reviewing the safety of all electrical installations. The EICR will thus look at the following:

  • Furnaces and boilers
  • Fire detectors and hard-wired smoke alarms
  • Storage heaters and panels
  • Consumer units and fuse boxes

3. Who Should Conduct the Property Survey?

It is best to double-check with your surveyor when requesting a property survey. The objective is to ask the surveyor vital questions to determine if they qualify for the job. Inquire about their membership to organisations like the RPSA (Residential Property Surveyors Association) or RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors). The two organisations have different survey levels will be reflected in the costs of services rendered. Nevertheless, the survey you need depends on the type and age of the property you intend to buy.

4. Make the Most of the House Viewing

When you visit your dream house, you must check on a few essential things that will help determine if the property meets your needs. Below are a few suggestions that we believe will make you feel confident about it and perhaps help you consider putting an offer or paying the full asking price.

  • What is the home’s EPC (Energy Performance Rating)? It will help you determine the property’s energy consumptions and how this will impact your monthly budget.
  • How old is the fuse box, and when was its last inspection?
  • Are all the light switches in every room working?
  • Are there exposed electrical cables?
  • Are there any signs of condensation or mould?
  • Are all power sockets places in suitable locations?
  • Is the boiler noisy, and how is its service history?
  • Does the property have a conservatory to help with the heating?
  • Do you need to update the heating, which could do with our top of the range electric radiators?
  • How is the insulation? The better and current the insulation, the lower the energy demands and, subsequently, the power bill.

5. Get in Touch Today to Know More

Feel free to check out our website and visit our blog to find more of our latest tips and get professional advice from highly experienced electrical specialists at Electric Heating Expert. Conversely, you can send a direct message online, and we shall get back to you as soon as possible.