Rhode Island Home inspectors Association

01/15/2026

Regarding electrical inspections, it is required by law that only Licensed master electricians can remove the dead front cover on electric panels for inspections in RI. Anyone else who does so it breaking the law. Due to the new law You cannot open the panel cover as a Home inspector, a home owner, as a realtor. With regards to electricians, you cannot open the panel as an electrician's apprentice or as an electrician journeyman UNLESS the licensed master electrician is standing there supervising. There have been a few situations where a home inspector brought an Apprentice or Journeyman to the home inspection and NOT a licensed master electrician. This is not allowed and can result in fines to any person who does so.

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09/09/2025

For immediate release.

07/23/2025

https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/over-5m-swimming-pools-sold-major-retailers-recalled-after-reports-9-deaths?%3Fintcmp=fb_fbn&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawLuIERleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHuZB8YqxbJoBCqk7Js6OLStbrMvN5OVqHGy41D5rAu2w3sUIfjBCam_dFeEo_aem_AyjH9GZlp8goR6Jhr7SOtw

More than 5 million above-ground swimming pools that were sold from as far back as 2002 at retailers like Walmart, Target and Amazon are being recalled due to drowning hazards.

02/21/2025

https://forum.nachi.org/t/rhode-island-electricians-board-of-examiners-partially-reverses-itself-regarding-home-inspections/252891

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02/20/2025

For immediate release: The RI electrical board of examiners met yesterday and after much debate came to the decision that Home inspectors are now permitted to Use plug in receptacle testers and non-contact voltage testers during home inspections. The Home inspector still may NOT remove the cover to the electrical panel, nor dismantle any other electrical component. The Home inspector may NOT use voltage meters, or test wiring where they are contacting live exposed conductors. I have a copy of the letter to Director of DLT Matt Weldon from IBEW rep and Chair of the electrical board Joe Walsh if anyone should require a copy for their records. This is likely to a barrage of calls and emails from inspectors, clients, realtors and legislators. DO NOT STOP NOW. Keep pressuring them.

01/27/2025

As Jan 30th nears, the new Limitations barring home inspectors from conducting electrical inspections quickly approaches. I have been asked several questions about what is a home buyer to do, and what should they expect. 1- They will need to find and hire an electrician because as of Jan 30th, the home inspector wont be allowed to do electrical inspection except what they can see with their eyes. 2- There is no standard that the electrician has to follow, so ask lots of questions and make sure they are thorough. They like when you do that. 3- require a written report with photos of the defects, because there is no assurance that the electrician who did the inspection will be the same one doing the repairs. 4- Expect to pay between $450 and $800 extra for the electrical inspection. 5-Lastly and most importantly, be sure to let your legislator know how hard it was, and how costly it was to get this step done, because they voted this into law. Let them know how much you appreciate the extra work and expense in an already costly and challenging housing market.

01/11/2025

As you know as of Jan 30th, Home inspectors will no longer be permitted to conduct the electrical inspection of the home. Some home inspectors have decided to partner with electricians. Others will allow the home buyer to hire their own electrician. I spoke with an electrician on the expected costs of the electric inspection. The client should expect to pay an additional $450 to $800 for just the electric inspection on top of the cost of the full home inspection. You can thank the House corporation committee, the Senate Labor committee and Governor McKee for signing this law into place. For those of you who chose to partner with an electrician, you should consider a few things. 1- Have you informed your insurance carrier you will be partnering with another contractor? That may severely impact your coverage. Have you had that electrician name you on their policy? If not, you are exposed if they make a mistake because you brought them to the door. 2- Does that electrician have Errors and omission insurance? Im sure most only have liability coverage. 3- will your electrician be offering repairs on the defects that they find? Thats a conflict. We cannot have contractors of any trade using the inspection process as a job leader. 4- will you be putting the electricians findings in your own report, or will they be sending their own report separately? If you add another contractors findings in your report, you are liable for errors. How many separate trades will be on site at the same home at the same time? Good luck maintaining your clients attention with all that commotion going on. While this situation is new, each home inspector needs to consider the potential consequences and adopt a policy they feel is best for them.

11/14/2024

https://news.yahoo.com/news/lawsuit-providence-homeowners-victimized-foreclosure-012410890.html #:~:text=Kyle%20Seyboth%2C%20owner%20of%20Seyboth%20Team%20Real%20Estate%2C,according%20to%20a%20complaint%20obtained%20by%2012%20News.

08/14/2024

Hello all, just an update. At today's state contractor board meeting we were informed that the RI dept of labor and training and the Division of business regulation will be meeting to discuss changes to the RI home inspector regulations and advising all home inspectors on changes in the regulations regarding electrical inspections. As you may already know, a new law was passed prohibiting home inspectors from conducting electrical inspections. This new law officially takes effect 1-30-25, but the RI contractors board has made an official decision not to take any action against any inspector who deviates from the state regulations on this topic until Jan 30- 2025. Also, based on the current housing market, RI licensed home inspector numbers have dropped from 149 to 118 over the last 90 days. 28 RI. Licensed home inspectors have decided not to renew their licensed and are moving on to other trades due to lack of work. This is due to lack of inventory of houses to inspect and people waiving inspections.

06/15/2024

https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Daikin-Comfort-Technologies-Manufacturing-Recalls-Amana-Daikin-Goodman-Branded-Air-Conditioning-and-Heat-Pump-Packaged-Units-Due-to-Fire-Hazard?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2hibeUlCVEWlRn0lXMdkRyRz7S9fibaq0TxouH5rCvCzplLZzvLa-Hrxk_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw

Consumers should not attempt to open the outside electrical panel of the recalled air conditioning and heat pump units, and immediately contact Daikin Comfort Technologies Manufacturing L.P. (DCT) for a free repair and inspection. DCT is contacting all known purchasers directly.