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Cedar Park ElectricCentral Texas · Est. 1996
// 7 min read

Home Inspection Report Electrical Items, Explained

Double taps, missing GFCIs, open junction boxes, reversed polarity: what the electrical section of a Texas TREC inspection report means and what each fix usually costs.

Texas home inspectors use the TREC Property Inspection Report, where electrical items appear in Section II. The most common flags are missing GFCI or AFCI protection, double-tapped breakers, open junction boxes, reversed polarity, missing smoke detectors and outdated panels. Most individual items are inexpensive fixes; a panel replacement is the big-ticket exception.

Service entrance and panels

  • Double tap: two wires under a breaker lug rated for one. Fix: add a pigtail or a breaker. Usually inexpensive.
  • Missing knockouts / dead-front screws: openings that expose live parts. Fix: filler plates and proper screws.
  • Neutrals and grounds bonded in a sub-panel: they must be separated downstream of the main disconnect. Fix: isolate the neutral bar and add a ground bar.
  • Federal Pacific / Zinsco panel: flagged as deficient. Fix: panel replacement.
  • No anti-oxidant on aluminum conductors: fix: clean, treat and re-torque the connections.

Branch circuits, devices and fixtures

  • Missing GFCI protection in kitchens, baths, garage, exterior, laundry. Fix: GFCI receptacles or breakers.
  • Missing AFCI protection in living areas and bedrooms (required for new work). Fix: AFCI or dual-function breakers.
  • Open junction boxes / exposed splices in the attic or garage. Fix: covers and proper boxes.
  • Reversed polarity or open ground at outlets. Fix: rewire the device, or GFCI-protect and label ungrounded outlets.
  • Missing or non-functional smoke / CO alarms. Fix: interconnected hard-wired alarms where required.

"Deficient" doesn't always mean "dangerous"

Inspectors report anything that doesn't meet current standards, even if the home met code when it was built. A licensed electrician can tell you which items are genuine hazards and which are upgrades you can negotiate.

Getting it fixed before closing

Send us the electrical pages of the report and we'll price it line by line, schedule around your option period, and provide an itemized invoice and before/after photos for your agent. See inspection report repairs.

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