What we inspect
Switchboard age, condition and capacity. RCD coverage. Asbestos-backing risk on older boards. Visible wiring condition. Power points and switches. Ceiling-space wiring where access allows. Hot water unit electrical. Hardwired smoke alarms (or lack of). Exterior wiring. Any obvious DIY work. The report is back to you within one business day with photos and itemised observations.
Why this isn't covered by building-and-pest
Standard building and pest inspections cover structural, pest, moisture and visible defects. They generally do NOT cover electrical compliance, switchboard age, smoke alarm law compliance, or wiring quality — most inspectors explicitly disclaim electrical scope. A pre-purchase electrical sits alongside the building-and-pest, not in place of it. Both are recommended for older Brisbane homes.
Using the report in negotiation
A formal report from a QBCC-licensed electrical contractor gives you a concrete basis for price negotiation or for asking the vendor to rectify before settlement. Your conveyancer will know what to do with it. We don't get involved in the negotiation — the report is an independent factual assessment, not a sales tool. You're not obligated to use us for any rectification work the report identifies.
Who we work with
Buyers
Inspection inside the contract cool-off or building-and-pest window.
Older homes
Pre-2000 Brisbane housing stock — switchboard, wiring, asbestos-backed boards.
Renovators
Pre-buy assessment of switchboard capacity for planned upgrades.
Questions, answered.
Six to eight evergreen Q&As — the things customers actually ask before booking us for pre-purchase electrical inspections.
What's involved in a pre-purchase electrical inspection?
We attend the property (usually arranged through your conveyancer or buyer's agent during the contract cool-off or building-and-pest window), and we inspect: the switchboard (age, RCD coverage, asbestos backing risk on older boards), visible wiring condition, power points and switches, ceiling-space wiring where access allows, hot water unit, hardwired smoke alarms (or lack of), exterior wiring, and any obvious DIY work. We then write you a report with photos and itemised observations, so you can either negotiate on the contract or budget for known work post-settlement.
How is this different from a building and pest inspection?
Standard building and pest inspections cover structural condition, pest activity, moisture and visible defects. They generally do NOT cover electrical compliance, switchboard age or condition, smoke alarm law compliance, or wiring quality — most building inspectors will explicitly disclaim electrical scope. A pre-purchase electrical inspection sits alongside the building and pest, not in place of it. Both are recommended for older Brisbane homes (pre-2000 especially).
What kinds of issues do you typically find?
Common findings in older Brisbane homes: switchboards without RCD safety switches on all circuits, ceramic fuses still in service, asbestos-backed boards from the 1950s–1970s, smoke alarms that don't meet current law, DIY power point work without compliance certificates, perished rubber-sheathed wiring still in use, and undersized circuits running modern appliances. None of these necessarily kill a deal — but you should know about them before you sign.
Can the report be used in a contract negotiation?
Yes — that's one of the main reasons buyers commission these inspections. A formal report from a QBCC-licensed electrical contractor (us) with photos and itemised findings gives you a concrete basis for negotiating a price adjustment or asking the vendor to rectify before settlement. Conveyancers see these regularly and know how to handle the negotiation. We don't get involved in the negotiation itself — we just provide the factual report.
How long does the inspection take, and how quickly do I get the report?
Inspection on-site is usually 1.5–2 hours for a standard residential property. Larger properties or commercial pre-purchase inspections take longer. The report is back to you within one business day in nearly all cases — we know contract cool-off and inspection windows are tight. Tell us your contract deadline when you book and we'll prioritise accordingly.
Should I get this on a newer property too?
Less critical for genuinely new builds (under 5 years old) with the original compliance paperwork — the wiring should be modern, the board should be RCD-protected on all circuits, and the smoke alarms should be current. For anything 10+ years old, or anywhere the previous owner has done renovations or additions, an inspection is usually worth the relatively small cost compared to discovering issues post-settlement.
Can you handle the rectification work if I do find issues?
Yes — we can quote any rectification work the inspection identifies. You're not obligated to use us for it (and we explicitly say so in the report — the report is an independent assessment, not a sales tool). But if you'd rather have one team that already knows your property handle the post-settlement upgrades, we can scope and quote that on a separate line.