Pre-Purchase Electrical Inspection Stellenbosch | Know Before You Buy

About Pre-Purchase Electrical Inspection in Stellenbosch

Buying a property is one of the biggest financial decisions you will make, and the condition of the electrical installation can have a significant impact on safety and costs after purchase. While the seller is legally required to provide an electrical CoC at transfer, a pre-purchase electrical inspection gives you an independent, unbiased assessment before you commit to the purchase. This allows you to identify potential compliance issues, estimate repair costs, and negotiate with the seller accordingly.

Abacas Solution provides independent pre-purchase electrical inspections in Stellenbosch that go beyond the basic CoC requirements. We inspect the DB board condition and capacity, wiring age and condition, earthing system integrity, circuit protection adequacy, plug socket and switch condition, geyser and pool electrical compliance, and the overall quality of any electrical modifications or additions that have been made over the years.

Our inspection report provides a clear overview of the electrical installation's condition, categorised into critical safety issues (must be fixed before occupation), compliance issues (required for CoC), and recommended improvements (advisory, not mandatory). We include estimated costs for each category so you can factor potential electrical work into your purchase negotiation. This is especially valuable for older properties in Stellenbosch where decades of modifications may have created hidden compliance problems.

This is one of several specialist services we offer under certificates & compliance in Stellenbosch. As part of our Stellenbosch electrical team, we bring over 25 years of hands-on experience to every job.

Pre-Purchase Electrical Inspection in Stellenbosch - Abacas Solution

When to Call for Pre-Purchase Electrical Inspection

Call if you are considering purchasing a property and want an independent electrical assessment, if you want to know the true cost of electrical work before committing to a purchase, if you are buying an older property with potentially outdated wiring, or if you want negotiating leverage based on the electrical condition.

Our Pre-Purchase Electrical Inspection Process

1

Schedule the Inspection

Book a pre-purchase inspection ideally during your due diligence period, before you finalise the offer or during the conditional period of your offer to purchase.

2

Comprehensive Inspection

We inspect the entire electrical installation including areas often missed, such as garage, outbuildings, pool equipment, and gate motor wiring.

3

Detailed Report with Cost Estimates

We provide a report categorising issues by severity (critical, compliance, advisory) with estimated repair costs for each.

4

Negotiation Support

Armed with our report, you can negotiate with the seller to either fix the issues or reduce the purchase price to cover the electrical work needed.

Property owners in Stellenbosch often combine pre-purchase electrical inspection with certificate of compliance (coc) inspection in Stellenbosch and electrical compliance upgrades. We handle everything, so you only need one call.

Safety & Compliance

A pre-purchase inspection is not a CoC and does not certify the installation. It is an independent assessment for the buyer's benefit. The seller is still legally required to provide a valid CoC at transfer. However, a pre-purchase inspection can reveal issues that a seller's electrician might minimise or overlook, giving you an unbiased picture of the true electrical condition.

Pre-Purchase Electrical Inspection Cost in Stellenbosch

Pre-purchase electrical inspection costs are similar to CoC inspection fees. A standard 3-bedroom house costs R1,500-R2,500. Larger properties with outbuildings, pools, or multiple DB boards cost R2,500-R4,000. The inspection includes a detailed written report with cost estimates for identified issues. This is a standalone service and does not include any repair work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a pre-purchase inspection the same as a CoC?

No. A CoC is a legal compliance certificate issued by a registered person confirming the installation meets SANS 10142-1. A pre-purchase inspection is an independent assessment for the buyer that identifies issues and estimates costs, but does not certify the installation. The seller must still provide a CoC.

When should I get a pre-purchase inspection done?

Ideally during your due diligence period before finalising your offer to purchase. If your offer is conditional, the inspection results can inform your negotiations. Even after signing, the report helps you budget for any electrical work needed after moving in.

What if the pre-purchase inspection finds serious problems?

You can use our report to negotiate with the seller, either requesting that they fix the issues at their cost, or reducing the purchase price by the estimated repair amount. For critical safety issues, you may want to reconsider the purchase.

Can you also do the CoC inspection for the same property later?

Yes. If you purchase the property, we can perform the CoC inspection and any compliance upgrades needed. Our pre-purchase report gives you a head start on what to expect.

Do you inspect outbuildings, flatlets, and granny flats?

Yes. We inspect all structures on the property including the main house, outbuildings, flatlets, garages, and any separate electrical installations. Each sub-installation may require its own compliance assessment.