I recently performed a courtesy inspection of a neighbor’s home that was built in 2020. During the inspection, I evaluated the electrical panel but chose not to remove the dead front. Since the panel is relatively new, I was concerned about potentially affecting the builder’s or manufacturer’s warranty.
For those of you who inspect newer homes, what is your approach? Do you routinely remove the dead front on electrical panels in recently constructed homes, or do you leave it in place? Have you ever encountered warranty issues or liability concerns related to removing the panel cover?
I’d appreciate hearing about your experiences and best practices.
Good question. I recommend you become consistent in your process.
If you remove a panel in one home and not the other, and there is an overlooked problem, you may have to defend your inconsistent process. Even to the point of being accused of bias.
I remove all panel covers that are safe to do so. And when I do not, I say why. Also, check your SoP; it may be required in your state, which is an important distinction. I have not heard that removing a panel cover will void a warranty; that is new to me.
Example: Though I am not required to remove the panel cover, I do so when possible. I was unable to remove the panel cover today because of stored personal items obstructing access.
100% every house I do, I away’s remove the cover. A pic in the report with and without cover on. New or old, I don’t for fuses. That’s an automatic write up.
How do you evaluate for Electrician error or Homeowner DIY, if you can’t see inside the panel?
As others have stated, I also always remove the cover, but only if safe to do so!
Thanks I’m thinking at 6 years old what upgrade would this home need that would require any type DYI or panel intrusion. Also what are the standard warranties provided by the builders or manufactures on these panels
No offense, but, I don’t think you have taken off enough panel covers to even begin to think about what is done to panels. 1st guy the homeowner brings in is the security or cable company and off come the panel cover for whatever reason. Next they want a receptacle in the attic. Etc. It really isn’t about thinking what it is more imagining what. People do strange things to houses.
This forum discussion has me wondering how many newer-built homes are actually being inspected and how inspectors are approaching these situations.
I felt comfortable operating within the Standards of Practice by not removing the dead front cover on an electrical panel in a home that was only six years old. The homeowner still has manufacturer warranties, builder warranties, and potential legal recourse if defective workmanship or materials are discovered.
If a significant defect exists, it will typically manifest itself over time through symptoms such as overheating, equipment failure, or other observable conditions. In this case, I performed a visual inspection, used infrared technology and an infrared thermometer, and found no indications of abnormal heating or performance concerns.
I believe it is important for inspectors to balance thoroughness with safety, the scope of the inspection, and the limitations outlined in the Standards of Practice.
If a significant defect exists, it will typically manifest itself over time through symptoms such as overheating, equipment failure, or other observable conditions. In this case, I performed a visual inspection, used infrared technology and an infrared thermometer, and found no indications of abnormal heating or performance concerns.
David gave you scenarios where that is not the case. Are we to wait until something is old enough to fail to inspect it? We are to find defects, and there are plenty from new construction down to century homes.
I guess but in newer homes with quality electrical installation and proper municipal inspections is less likely to have major electrical defects compared with older homes.
Siemens residential electrical load centers and panels carry varying warranty lengths depending on the specific model line: PL Series panels feature a lifetime warranty, while EQ and ES load centers come with a 10-year warranty.
Everything gets evaluated regardless of the frequency of defects. If you skip things (especially major systems/components) because they are less likely to have a problem then you won’t be around long, IMO.
Those warranties are for manufacturer defects NOT for builder installation defects (the vast majority of panel defects). Manufacturer defects can be null and void if installation defects are found!
Builders typically warrant their homes for 1 year (the law).
Inspections of a home (new construction) before purchase the builder might exclude panel cover removal or roof or whatever else he wants.
Like Bob said. It is not the panel so much that you are inspecting. It is the workmanship and the contractors execution of the accepted electrical codes.
And when you used the “infrared technology”, what exactly was the load on the panel? Was the AC running, did it just start up. Was the electric furnace running. That is no where near a good evaluation of the electrical panel.