Electrical inspections and code-correction work
Inspections drive a lot of our scheduled work. Real estate transactions produce inspection reports with electrical findings. Insurance carriers require panel replacements or remediation on policy renewal. Fire marshals produce code-correction lists on commercial buildings. Pre-purchase buyers want to know what the wiring looks like before they close. All of these create work that needs to be quoted accurately and finished cleanly.
Pre-purchase electrical inspections
Real estate inspectors are generalists. They flag visible issues (Federal Pacific panels, double-tapped breakers, missing GFCI, ungrounded receptacles, visible knob-and-tube) but they typically do not open the panel dead front for a full thermal scan, do not test ground rod resistance, and do not insulation-test suspect circuits. We do a deeper inspection on request, particularly for buyers of older homes in Charpentier, Margaret Place, and the downtown blocks where the wiring history is complicated.
Our inspection includes: panel scan with the dead front off (thermal imaging), main bonding jumper verification, ground rod resistance test per NEC 250.53, grounding electrode conductor sizing per NEC 250.66, GFCI testing at every required location per NEC 210.8, smoke alarm and CO alarm placement check, exterior receptacle weather-rating check, and a written report with photos.
Insurance-driven remediation
Federal Pacific, Zinsco, Challenger panel replacement
Louisiana insurance carriers increasingly require replacement of Federal Pacific Stab-Lok, Zinsco, and certain Challenger panels on policy renewal or new policy issue. The panels have documented failure histories that the carriers know about. We do the panel replacement on a fixed-price quote, pull the permit, get the inspection, and provide the carrier with the paperwork they require.
Knob-and-tube removal
Many Louisiana carriers no longer write or renew policies on homes with active knob-and-tube wiring. The wiring is functional in open air but becomes a fire risk when buried in modern insulation. We do targeted K&T removal (the active circuits only) or full rewires depending on what the carrier requires and what the budget allows.
Aluminum branch wiring remediation
1965-1973 aluminum branch wiring at terminations is a documented fire risk per CPSC findings. Some carriers require remediation (CO/ALR receptacles or COPALUM crimps at every termination) on renewal. We do the remediation room by room.
GFCI and AFCI retrofits
Some carriers and home buyers ask for GFCI and AFCI retrofits to current NEC even on older homes. We do the retrofit at the panel (AFCI/GFCI/dual-function breakers) or at the receptacles (GFCI at the start of each circuit) depending on the panel and the cost trade-off.
Fire marshal code-correction lists
Fire marshal inspections on commercial buildings produce code-correction lists. Common items:
- Panel clearance violations per NEC 110.26 (boxes, shelving, or stock blocking the 36-inch deep, 30-inch wide, 6.5-foot high clear space)
- Missing or non-functional emergency egress lighting per NFPA 101
- Missing or burned-out exit signs
- Missing GFCI on required receptacles per NEC 210.8
- Missing AFCI where the AHJ requires it on commercial repairs
- Unlabeled panels or junction boxes
- Open junction boxes (missing covers)
- Inaccessible junction boxes (buried in finished walls or above hard-lid ceilings)
- Missing or improper grounding on equipment
- Improper extension cord use (extension cords as permanent wiring)
We take the inspector list, quote the corrections, do the work, and call for re-inspection.
Real estate transaction electrical work
When a home is in contract and the inspection turns up electrical issues, the seller often needs to remediate before closing. We work fast on these because the closing schedule does not move. Common requests:
- Replace Federal Pacific panel (1-2 day project)
- Install GFCI at all required locations
- Repair or replace specific receptacles flagged by the inspector
- Add ground to two-prong receptacles or install GFCI with downstream tags
- Replace ungrounded receptacles with grounded
- Update smoke alarm and CO alarm placement
- Install whole-house surge protection
Documentation we provide
For inspection-driven work we provide: itemized invoice listing every code item addressed, before and after photos for each repair, the permit and inspection card from the AHJ, and a letter for the insurance carrier or buyer or seller confirming the work meets current NEC. Carriers and real estate attorneys are familiar with our paperwork format.
