[aoliaak]

We're buying another house, now in Ohio. Everything looks good except this fun bit.

House is a 1967 ranch, otherwise very well-maintained. All outlets are grounded and wired correctly but that's about all I can do short of cutting open the walls or developing x-ray vision.

But if that's the panel... would you be concerned about what's going on behind the drywall? Concerned enough to walk away from a purchase?

 

[Awek99]

Looks like a mess!

 

[joed]

Based on the second photo you still have some old wiring in the house. I see old looking cloth wire in the upper left of the photo. If they said the whole house was rewired they are wrong.
Wouldn't stop me from buying the house.

 

[sparky48]

Far from the worst panel dressing I have ever seen but it wouldn't disqualify my decision to purchase the home.

 

[Daniel Holzman]

Simple enough solution. If you are concerned about the wiring, hire your own electrician to make an assessment, and give you a quote to bring the house up to whatever standard you want. Then deduct your quote plus a reasonable additional amount for your headache from the offer price.

 

[Colbyt]

Compare the house to a comparable 2016 construction and buy the one you can afford.

I personally would not be concerned.

Just don't buy cheap Chinese light fixtures, poorly built, short on insulation that require wire with a higher temp rating than what is in the boxes. Wires in the wall are not usually where problems occur.

 

[Speedy Petey]

Looks like a service upgrade was done and most of the wires were short.

A bit of a mess but nothing I'd skip the house over.

 

[aoliaak]

Compare the house to a comparable 2016 construction and buy the one you can afford.

I personally would not be concerned.

Just don't buy cheap Chinese light fixtures, poorly built, short on insulation that require wire with a higher temp rating than what is in the boxes. Wires in the wall are not usually where problems occur.

The comparable 2016 house we can afford is an extra 20 minute commute for my husband, mediocre public schools and about a fifth of the lot size in a barren landscape.

I like remodeling older houses myself but I'll admit the inspection report gave me a fright when I saw all the jumbled connections. We're using a VA loan and I know they like sticking to code. Would this be a problem?

 

[Colbyt]

I like remodeling older houses myself but I'll admit the inspection report gave me a fright when I saw all the jumbled connections. We're using a VA loan and I know they like sticking to code. Would this be a problem?

At the risk of being crude, the vast majority of home inspectors don't know from a hole in the ground especially when it comes to electrical matters.

That box is messy but as long as the right size wire is connected to the right breaker it does not really matter in the real world. Chances are that many of those splices were because the wire was too short or done to eliminate a double tapped breaker (2 wires connected to one breaker) that was not approved for double-tapping.

Please don't rely on my opinion or that of a home inspector. If you have concerns get an honest licensed electrician to look at the box, one who is not trying to sell you a service upgrade. Plan on paying him for a service call. The free inspections are just a chance to sell you something.

Undisturbed wire from 1967 that has not been overheated (from being attached to a larger than rated breaker) is probably just fine.

Edit: I just sold a home via VA loan and all they do is verify the appraised value.

 

[aoliaak]

At the risk of being crude, the vast majority of home inspectors don't know from a hole in the ground especially when it comes to electrical matters.

That box is messy but as long as the right size wire is connected to the right breaker it does not really matter in the real world. Chances are that many of those splices were because the wire was too short or done to eliminate a double tapped breaker (2 wires connected to one breaker) that was not approved for double-tapping.

Please don't rely on my opinion or that of a home inspector. If you have concerns get an honest licensed electrician to look at the box, one who is not trying to sell you a service upgrade. Plan on paying him for a service call. The free inspections are just a chance to sell you something.

Undisturbed wire from 1967 that has not been overheated (from being attached to a larger than rated breaker) is probably just fine.

Edit: I just sold a home via VA loan and all they do is verify the appraised value.

Yeah I don't think I worded my initial question very well.

We have an electrical inspection scheduled. My question is, if the electrical workmanship displayed at the panel is similar throughout the house, behind the walls where it cannot be inspected, should I be concerned for my safety or wallet down the line.

I got great answers though, as usual from these forums.

 

[Know A Little]

The panel is about typical for a minimum bid service change out.

If you have any concerns about the wiring hire a firm that knows what a megger is. The integrity of the conductors can be verified by insulation resistance testing (megger), the average electrical contractor has no clue, so I would search out a firm that specializes in electrical testing. That combined with a through visual inspection should give you a good feel for the condition of the wiring.

 

[Colbyt]

My question is, if the electrical workmanship displayed at the panel is similar throughout the house, behind the walls where it cannot be inspected, should I be concerned for my safety or wallet down the line.

Look for a date on the inspection sticker or breaker box. I am guessing the box was changed and what is in the box probably does not accurately reflect what is behind the drywall.

Overheating if it ever occurred is usually found in the breaker or individual device boxes where physical connection are made.