Buying an Older Home in Ashfield? Electrical Safety Checks to Consider

1. Check the Age and Condition of the Wiring

A home’s construction date does not tell you the age of every electrical circuit. Some wiring may have been replaced while other sections remain original. NSW Government guidance warns that older rubber-insulated wiring can deteriorate and recommends considering an inspection for homes built before the 1980s.

What to look for during an inspection

Ask a licensed electrician to assess the age and condition of visible wiring, accessible connections, altered or extended circuits, the standard of previous repairs and whether the installation suits the household’s current requirements.

Never pull on old wiring or remove outlet and switch covers to investigate: live parts may be exposed.

Does an older home automatically need rewiring?

No. Age is a reason for assessment, not a diagnosis. A property may have undergone substantial upgrades, while newer-looking fittings can still conceal unresolved wiring issues.

2. Check Safety-Switch Protection

Safety switches, also known as residual current devices (RCDs), help protect people from severe electric shock by detecting current leakage and disconnecting power. NSW strongly recommends checking safety switches in properties built before 2000.

One safety switch may not cover the whole home

Ask which circuits are protected, whether lighting and power circuits have appropriate coverage, whether any safety switch is faulty and what work is needed to improve protection. A safety switch only protects circuits connected through it.

Test safety switches before relying on them

NSW recommends testing household safety switches twice a year using the “T” or “Test” button and confirming that the relevant circuits lose power. If a switch does not reset, contact a licensed electrician.

3. Assess the Switchboard, Not Just Its Appearance

The switchboard distributes power around the home and contains its protective devices. Its condition and capacity matter more than whether it looks modern.

What should the assessment cover?

Ask the electrician to inspect the enclosure and accessible components, circuit identification and labels, protective devices, earthing, available capacity, overheating or corrosion, and suitability for planned upgrades.

Is full replacement automatic?

No. An isolated breaker, safety-switch, termination or circuit fault may be repairable if the rest of the board remains serviceable. An upgrade may be appropriate when protection is insufficient, damage is extensive or capacity is inadequate. Diagnosis should come before a replacement recommendation.

4. Look for Signs of Overheating or Electrical Damage

Burning smells, visible sparks and apparent switchboard overheating require prompt professional attention. Do not touch or open the switchboard, approach damaged equipment or remove covers to investigate.

If there is smoke or fire, leave the affected area and call 000. Do not approach a hazardous switchboard to isolate power. If isolation is safely possible, follow professional advice.

What about scorch marks or discoloured fittings?

Even if power is still working, visible heat damage needs assessment. An electrician can establish whether the original cause was repaired and whether connections or components remain unsafe.

5. Check for Evidence of DIY or Unfinished Electrical Work

Older homes may have undergone decades of alterations. NSW warns that DIY electrical work is dangerous and illegal: unqualified people must not wire properties, replace power points, move switches or lights, install fans or perform electrical maintenance beyond permitted simple tasks.

Look for inconsistent fittings, missing covers, exposed wires, numerous outlets on one circuit, unlabelled circuits, visible repair signs and alterations around kitchens, bathrooms or outdoor spaces. Do not attempt repairs yourself.

Ask for electrical records

Request available certificates, invoices, renovation records and compliance documents from the vendor. These provide useful history but cannot replace an assessment of the installation’s present condition.

6. Consider the Home’s Capacity for Modern Living

An older electrical installation may not have been designed for today’s household loads. Consider future induction cooking, air conditioning, heat-pump hot water, EV charging, lighting automation or renovation circuits.

Have the electrician assess the switchboard, circuits, consumer mains and earthing before planning substantial upgrades.

Spare spaces do not equal spare capacity

Unused switchboard spaces alone do not establish sufficient electrical supply. Ask what capacity has actually been assessed and what changes planned appliances would require.

Plan before renovating

Consider new circuits, protective devices and switchboard work before cabinetry, flooring and finishes are installed.

7. Check Outdoor Lighting, Power and Garden Equipment

Ashfield properties may have garden outlets, exterior lighting, irrigation or other outdoor electrical equipment. Ask about appropriate weather exposure ratings, outlet protection, damaged cables and connections, safety-switch coverage and safe accessibility for maintenance.

Consider plugs, leads, connectors and power boards as well as permanent fittings.

Be cautious around trees and overhead lines

Do not trim branches near electrical lines yourself. Have the electricity distributor or an appropriately qualified provider assess possible contact with overhead powerlines.

8. Check for Asbestos-Related Electrical Concerns

Some older switchboards have backing boards that may contain asbestos, particularly installations dating from before the mid-1980s.

What if asbestos is suspected?

Do not drill, cut, scrape or disturb a suspected backing board. Ask the electrician how it affects the cost and sequence of work, and arrange any necessary removal through an appropriately licensed asbestos removalist. Do not assume electrical labour includes asbestos removal.

9. Understand What a Pre-Purchase Electrical Assessment Includes

A dedicated electrical assessment is not the same as a general building inspection. Before booking, clarify whether it covers accessible wiring and fittings, switchboard components, protective devices, safety-switch testing, earthing, capacity for proposed upgrades, written findings, repair scopes and applicable test documentation.

What if a fault is found?

Ask for recommendations to be separated into immediate safety work, necessary repairs, protection improvements, capacity upgrades for planned equipment and optional future provisions. This helps distinguish urgent defects from elective improvements.

10. Use the Findings in Your Purchase Decision

An assessment may indicate whether urgent work is needed before occupancy, a switchboard upgrade should be budgeted for, planned appliances can be supported, further investigation is required or a planned renovation is practical.

Do not mistake a preliminary estimate for a final quotation where detailed inspection has not occurred.

Ask for the scope in writing

Request the identified concern, proposed solution, basis for the recommendation, exclusions, applicable tests and documentation, and any areas requiring further assessment. Clear scopes also make quotations easier to compare.

Questions to Ask Before You Buy

About the installation

About planned work

About the electrician

NSW advises checking that the electrician has a current licence and that the licence holder attends to carry out the work.

What Documentation Should You Receive?

Electrical installation work must be performed by a licensed electrician. In NSW, applicable electrical installation work requires a uniquely numbered Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW), confirming testing and compliance. Ask what documents apply to repairs, switchboard upgrades, new circuits, safety-switch installation and EV charging.

Keep invoices, findings, certificates and manuals for future insurance, resale and maintenance reference.

How Russo Electrical Can Help Ashfield Buyers

Russo Electrical provides residential electrical inspections, fault finding, switchboard upgrades and repairs in Ashfield and surrounding Inner West suburbs.

When making an enquiry, provide the property address, approximate age, any previous repairs, known concerns, planned upgrades, access restrictions and photos taken safely without opening electrical equipment.

Call 0485 009 500 to discuss the assessment and confirm availability, call-out charges and diagnostic fees. Emergency coverage does not guarantee a particular arrival time.

Learn more about our Ashfield electrical services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plan the Assessment Before You Commit

Buying an older property is easier when you understand what you’re taking on. Assess wiring, switchboard protection and capacity before settlement, and distinguish immediate safety issues from planned upgrades. Contact Russo Electrical on 0485 009 500 to discuss an Ashfield inspection.