Electrical inspections and code fixes

Three situations, three paths

People land on this page in one of three ways.

• A buyer’s inspector wrote up the wiring during a home sale.
• The city sent a correction notice, or a permit final failed.
• Work was done without a permit, and you want it recorded before it causes trouble.

The fix starts the same way in all three. A licensed electrician looks at the work, lists what is unsafe or out of code, and prices each item. The rest depends on who is asking.

Home-sale inspection findings

Home inspectors are generalists. They flag what they see: a rusted panel or a Zinsco or Federal Pacific brand, double-tapped breakers, missing GFCI protection, open splices, a missing cover plate, ungrounded outlets in an old house. A report is not a code order. It is a list that the buyer uses to negotiate.

Sort the findings into three groups:

1. Safety now. Scorched parts, bare conductors, a panel brand known for breaker failure, wet-location outlets with no protection. See Zinsco and Federal Pacific panels.
2. Old but working. Two-wire circuits, aluminum branch wiring, knob-and-tube. These are not automatic failures, but they worry buyers and insurers. See aluminum wiring.
3. Cosmetic. Loose plates, painted-over outlets, labels.

The home-sale electrical inspection guide covers how to read a report and what to repair before listing. An electrician’s own inspection is often cheaper and clearer than guessing. The inspection cost page shows the $300 to $1,500 typical range for a visit and typical corrections.

What the seller must say

California home sellers complete the Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement under Civil Code 1102.6. The form asks, among other things:

• whether the seller knows of room additions, structural modifications or other alterations or repairs made without necessary permits;
• whether any such work is not in compliance with building codes;
• about significant defects in the electrical system;
• whether there is 220-volt wiring, and where.

It also covers smoke detectors and carbon monoxide devices. The smoke and CO detector page covers those rules. A seller who knows about unpermitted work should answer honestly and ask an agent or attorney about wording. This site gives electrical information, not legal advice.

City correction notices

A correction notice means an inspector found something that fails the adopted code, either on a permitted job or on a complaint. California’s 2025 Electrical Code took effect January 1, 2026 and is built on the 2023 NEC, but the rules that apply to an existing install depend on the permit date and on the city. A notice usually lists:

• the item and the code section;
• what the inspector wants to see;
• a deadline for correction and reinspection.

A common cause is a missing piece on a new circuit, such as GFCI protection, a bonding wire or a label. The electrician fixes it, the city comes back, and the permit closes. If the deadline is close, call the inspector or the building department and ask about an extension before it passes.

Unpermitted work

Panels, subpanels, hot tub circuits, EV charger circuits, ADU wiring and added circuits normally need a permit. See the permit guide. Work done without one is not invisible. It can surface during a sale, an insurance claim, an appraisal or a later permit.

Most cities have a way to apply after the fact. The usual shape is:

1. The electrician inspects the work and lists the gaps against current code.
2. The electrician fixes anything unsafe.
3. The electrician or owner applies for a permit for the existing work. The city may want to see inside boxes or panels.
4. The city inspects and signs off.

Ask the building department up front whether it adds fees for work done without a permit and whether it will accept photos or want walls opened. The answers vary by city, so no price on this page covers it.

Smoke alarms are part of the permit

Under Health and Safety Code 13113.7, when a permit is issued for alterations, repairs or additions over $1,000 on a dwelling, the building official cannot sign off until the required smoke alarms are in place and State Fire Marshal listed. An electrical permit that is part of a bigger remodel can trigger this. Plan for the alarms in the same visit.

The smoke detector installation cost page shows what a hardwired set runs.

Typical cost

As of October 2026 the typical SoCal range is $300 to $1,500, an estimate that covers an inspection visit and common corrections. A panel replacement, rewire or legalization of large work is quoted separately. The what an electrical quote should include guide helps compare line items.

What to read next

• Home-sale electrical inspection if you are buying or selling.
• Smoke and CO detectors for the alarm rules.
• GFCI and AFCI protection for the most common code finding.
• Send a photo of your panel to get the first look from a licensed electrician.