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When we’re out on jobs around Fort Myers, we get a lot of questions about electrical inspections. Some homeowners just bought their first house. Others are prepping to sell, or trying to renew insurance. Either way, once the word “inspection” comes up, the questions start flying.
We get it — electrical inspections can sound intimidating. But really, they’re just about making sure your system’s safe, up to code, and ready for Florida’s conditions. No mystery, no sales pitch — just a professional checkup for your home’s wiring and panels.
So, we’ve rounded up the most common questions homeowners ask us at Coharbor Electric, along with straight answers from the field.
In simple terms, an electrical inspection is a full safety check of your home’s electrical system.
We look at the main service panel, wiring, outlets, switches, grounding, and protective devices like GFCIs and AFCIs. We’re not just checking if things work — we’re checking if they’re safe and code-compliant.
You’d be surprised how many homes “work fine” but are loaded with hidden issues — double-tapped breakers, aluminum wiring, or missing grounds. They might not cause trouble today, but they’re waiting for the right storm or load to fail.
An inspection finds those problems before they turn into bigger (and more expensive) ones.
Here’s the short answer: any time something changes.
Before buying a home – to make sure you’re not inheriting old problems.
Before selling a home – so you can fix issues before they kill the deal.
Before insurance renewal – especially for older homes or new carriers.
After major renovations or new additions – to ensure everything’s wired right.
Every few years – even if nothing’s changed, just to catch age-related wear or corrosion.
In Fort Myers, homes take a beating from humidity, heat, and lightning. That means even newer systems can start showing issues faster than you’d expect.
We’ve got a full checklist we follow, but here’s the gist of what we’re after:
Panel condition and capacity – Is it properly rated, grounded, and labeled?
Breaker function – Are any oversized, damaged, or double-tapped?
Wiring type and connections – Aluminum, cloth, or outdated splices?
Grounding and bonding – Are systems connected and safe to touch?
GFCI and AFCI protection – Are the right areas protected from shocks and arcs?
Outlets and switches – Proper polarity, grounding, and function.
Lighting circuits – Especially older ceiling fans and recessed fixtures.
Outdoor and garage circuits – Weatherproofing, conduit integrity, and code compliance.
We also take a look at any recent electrical “upgrades” — EV chargers, generators, or solar tie-ins — to confirm they’re installed correctly and not overloading your system.
Good question, because they’re not the same thing.
A 4-point inspection is what insurance companies usually request. It covers four systems — roof, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical — but only at a surface level. The electrical portion is quick and limited: panel type, wiring material, grounding, and a visual check for hazards.
A full electrical inspection goes much deeper. We open up the panel, test voltage and load, check every outlet we can access, and document the entire system.
Think of the 4-point as a “snapshot,” and the full inspection as an “X-ray.”
Most Fort Myers homes take between 1 and 2 hours, depending on size and access.
If you’ve got a large property, older wiring, or multiple subpanels, it might take a bit longer. We’d rather take our time and catch everything than rush through and miss something important.
We also walk you through our findings as we go, so you’re not just handed a report full of terms you have to Google later.
It helps, yes. We can do a basic inspection while you’re away, but it’s always better if you’re there.
That way, we can show you problem areas in real time — a warm breaker, a loose ground, an unprotected outlet — and explain exactly what it means. Most homeowners tell us they learn more in that hour than they ever did from an inspection report.
Only briefly, if needed.
We might cut power for a minute to safely open the panel or test a breaker connection, but you won’t be left without lights for long. Most of the inspection is visual and diagnostic, not invasive.
If we find anything unsafe, we’ll flag it clearly and explain your options.
Some things are quick fixes — like swapping outlets or tightening a loose neutral. Others might need more involved work, like replacing a panel or grounding system.
Either way, we’ll tell you what’s urgent versus what’s just “good to plan for.” You’ll get a clear written report with photos and an estimate if you want us to handle the repairs.
No pressure, no scare tactics — just facts and options.
Most residential electrical inspections in Fort Myers range from $150 to $350, depending on the home’s size and complexity.
If we’re doing a pre-sale or pre-insurance inspection, we often package in documentation and photos formatted for your realtor or insurance provider.
Compared to the cost of a missed issue — like an overloaded panel or faulty wiring — it’s a small investment in peace of mind.
Absolutely.
For insurance, a clean electrical report can mean faster approvals and lower premiums. If you’ve got aluminum wiring or an older panel, we can help you bring it up to compliance so you’re not denied coverage.
For sellers, it’s one of the best pre-listing moves you can make. A “clean electrical bill of health” takes leverage away from buyers and makes your listing stronger.
Without a doubt — outdated panels.
Federal Pacific and Zinsco panels are everywhere in Fort Myers, and most people don’t realize they’re a fire hazard until they fail inspection.
A close second is missing GFCIs. It’s such a simple thing to fix, yet it shows up in nearly every home older than 20 years.
Yes — but for different reasons.
Even new construction isn’t immune to mistakes. We’ve found loose lugs, mislabeled circuits, and even reversed polarity in brand-new homes. Builders work fast, and sometimes details get missed.
A quick inspection after you move in ensures everything’s safe and properly balanced.
Every single time.
We’ve seen too many homeowners deal with fires, failed closings, or denied insurance because no one caught something simple. A few hundred bucks for an inspection beats thousands in repairs later.
And once it’s done, you’ll know exactly where your home stands — what’s good, what’s aging, and what’s ready for upgrade.
Electrical inspections aren’t about finding problems — they’re about preventing them. Whether you’re buying, selling, renewing insurance, or just keeping your home safe, an inspection gives you clarity and confidence.
We’ve been doing this for years across Fort Myers, and no two homes are alike. But one thing’s always the same: the homeowners who stay proactive have fewer surprises and safer homes.
👉 Call Coharbor Electric today to schedule your electrical inspection. We’ll walk your home, check every major system, and give you a clear, no-nonsense report you can trust — with photos, fixes, and peace of mind built in.
We make electrical inspections simple, honest, and built for Fort Myers homes that need real answers, not guesswork.
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Serving Southwest Florida including: Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral, and more...
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Serving SWFL customers for 13+ years. Licensed and Insured throughout Florida.
EC13004475. EC13012422.
At Coharbor Electric, this is what to expect when entrusting us with fixing your electrical issues.
The first step is to get all the information we will need so that we can correctly assess the problem or situation. The photos or videos you send will be sent directly to the electrician.
Once our electrician has the info he needs, we will dispatch one in the next available spot–armed with expertise, equipment, and the parts he’ll most likely need.
Our Promise is to to You is to perform the job completely, efficiently, and to the Florida electrical code standards. We are committed to fair and honest pricing.
We offer flat rate pricing for service calls, so you always know the price up front. Simple to understand. Flat-rate fixed price so you can be confident you’ll get what paid for.
As a Florida homeowner, you have an endless list of choices for electrical contractors to hire…some great, some good, some bad.
At Coharbor Electric, our benchmark is to be “great”. If you decide to hire us for your electrical service, here’s what you can expect from our electricians:
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