You might not think much about your electrical system until something starts acting up, and by then, the situation can already be more serious than expected. Whether you just bought an older home, you're planning a remodel, or you're adding an electric vehicle (EV) charger or a generator, knowing the true condition of your electrical system is a smart starting point. Across Des Moines, IA, and the surrounding areas, Upfront Electrical provides thorough electrical safety inspections and code corrections that give homeowners a clear, honest picture of where their system stands and what, if anything, needs attention.
Upfront Electrical is a family-run, licensed electrician located in Des Moines, IA, serving customers throughout the greater Des Moines area since 2019\. Our company specializes in detailed, premium electrical inspections and code correction work, covering everything from full electrical system evaluations and thermal imaging diagnostics to real estate transaction inspections and assessments for older homes.
Electrical code corrections usually come up when wiring, panels, outlets, switches, grounding, or safety protection need attention. You may notice tripped breakers, buzzing outlets, flickering lights, exposed wiring, missing ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection, double-tapped breakers, or inspection report notes that need to be addressed before a sale, remodel, or upgrade.
Many code concerns stem from older wiring, past do-it-yourself (DIY) work, outdated materials, overloaded circuits, or electrical changes made over the years that were never properly cleaned up. A setup that worked fine decades ago may not be ready for modern appliances, EV chargers, generators, hot tubs, home offices, and everything else today's homes need to power.
Our process starts with finding the exact code concern and checking the surrounding electrical setup, not just the first thing that looks off. That may include opening the panel, testing outlets, checking grounding and bonding, reviewing breaker sizes, inspecting junction boxes, checking exposed wiring, or tracing a circuit to understand what's happening.
After that, our team corrects the setup with clean workmanship and practical recommendations. Depending on the home, that may mean replacing an improper breaker, adding GFCI or arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) protection, repairing a junction box, cleaning up exposed wiring, correcting grounding or bonding, removing a double tap, replacing outdated devices, or adding a dedicated circuit when one circuit has too much on its plate.
The result is an electrical setup that feels safer, cleaner, and easier to understand. You also get a clear explanation of what we corrected and improved, everyday system performance, and a home better prepared for inspections, remodels, upgrades, and normal daily use.
Here's a full look at what our team at Upfront Electrical covers during an inspection or code correction service.
Older homes have electrical systems built to different standards, and much has changed since those systems were first installed. Our team checks for knob-and-tube wiring, aluminum wiring, aging panels, ungrounded outlets, and overloaded circuits that struggle to support modern appliances.
Buying or selling a home is a big deal, and having a clear picture of the electrical system's condition before closing can save a lot of headaches. Our electrical home inspections for real estate transactions include homebuyer inspections, seller pre-listing evaluations, and detailed written reports that clearly identify any safety concerns or recommended upgrades.
The breaker panel is the command center of a home's electrical system, and a thorough inspection can reveal a lot. Our team checks for improper breaker installations, double-tapped breakers, and signs of wear or heat damage that could create a safety concern down the road.
A circuit that's carrying more load than it was designed for can cause all kinds of headaches, including breakers that trip repeatedly and outlets that underperform. Our team evaluates circuit loads throughout the home to ensure the distribution of power is balanced and appropriate for how the home is actually used.
Electrical codes evolve, and homes that haven't been updated may have wiring methods, devices, or panel configurations that no longer meet current standards. Our code correction work covers outdated wiring methods, GFCI and AFCI upgrades, grounding and bonding corrections, unsafe junction box repairs, exposed wiring corrections, double-tapped breaker fixes, service panel code upgrades, and outdoor electrical compliance updates.
A full electrical system evaluation gives homeowners a complete picture of how the entire system is performing, not just individual components. Our team goes through the panel, wiring, outlets, switches, grounding, bonding, and circuit loads methodically so nothing gets overlooked.
Proper grounding and bonding are foundational to a safe electrical system, and issues with either one can create real safety concerns that aren't always obvious. Our team inspects grounding and bonding throughout the home to verify that the system is set up correctly and that any deficiencies are identified and documented. When corrections are needed, we handle them as part of our code correction services, ensuring everything is brought up to the right standard.
Outlets and switches are the most visible parts of any electrical system, and testing them is a straightforward way to spot issues that could indicate a bigger problem. Our team tests outlets and switches throughout the home for proper function, correct wiring, and signs of damage, such as buzzing, intermittent power, or voltage irregularities.
Some of the most serious electrical issues hide behind walls and inside panels where they can't be seen with the naked eye. Thermal imaging lets our team detect hot spots, hidden wiring faults, and heat buildup in areas that a standard visual inspection would never catch. It's one of the more powerful diagnostic tools available, and it's part of what separates a premium inspection from a basic walkthrough.
The condition of the wiring throughout a home is one of the most important factors in overall electrical safety, especially in older properties. Our wiring assessments cover visible, accessible wiring throughout the home, looking for signs of deterioration, improper installation, or conditions that warrant further evaluation.
Odd electrical behavior can be frustrating, especially when one room loses power, a breaker keeps tripping, or the lights act like they have a mind of their own. With our electrical troubleshooting service, we inspect the panel, wiring paths, outlets, switches, fixtures, grounding and bonding, voltage levels, and potential hidden faults so homeowners get a clear explanation instead of a bunch of technical runaround.
A worn outlet or faulty switch may seem small, but it can affect how safely and smoothly the home uses power every day. Our plug and switch replacement service covers commercial-grade outlets and switches, GFCI and AFCI upgrades, USB outlets, smart switches, dimmers, tamper-resistant options, exterior outlets, and two-prong-to-three-prong updates.
The right lighting setup can make cooking, relaxing, working, and moving through the home feel a whole lot easier. Our lighting installation and replacement service includes recessed lighting, under-cabinet lights, chandeliers, ceiling fans, specialty fixtures, bath ventilation fans, whole-home ventilation fans, and bathroom fan replacements with layouts that make sense for the room.
Every circuit in the home depends on the panel working properly. Through our electrical panel installation service, we install new panels, replace outdated fuse boxes, add subpanels, upgrade main service panels, relocate panels when needed, improve grounding and bonding, add surge protection, and test new connections before wrapping things up.
Aging wiring can make it harder for a home to keep up with modern appliances, devices, and everyday electrical use. Our whole-home rewires replace outdated wiring with a cleaner electrical system, including updated circuits, outlets, switches, lighting connections, grounding and bonding, and panel upgrades when the home needs more capacity.
Home charging works best when the electrical system is ready for the charger and the vehicle. Our services for EV chargers include Level 2 charger setup, dedicated circuits, smart charger connections, panel load checks, grounding, surge protection, troubleshooting, repairs, and installation for homes, offices, and small commercial properties.
A backup power system can keep essential systems running when utility power drops out. When it comes to generators, we install whole-home and small commercial systems, set up automatic transfer switches, replace older units, perform maintenance checks, test loads, inspect batteries, troubleshoot equipment, and help homeowners choose a generator that fits their needs.
Buried electrical lines need the right route, the right protection, and a smart plan before digging begins. Our trenching service includes utility locating, underground conduit installation, power and communication line placement, underground cable repair or replacement, backfilling, and site restoration that keeps the property looking neat.
Pool and spa equipment needs the right electrical setup because water, outdoor wiring, pumps, heaters, lights, and safety protection all work together. Our pools, spas, and hot tub wiring service covers complete pool electrical systems, 240V spa wiring, equipment hookups, timer and automation wiring, GFCI protection, outdoor disconnects, pool subpanels, underground conduit, trenching, and bonding for metal parts around the pool.
New appliances, garage tools, workshop equipment, and remodels often need more power than an existing circuit should handle. Our appliance wiring and dedicated circuit installation service supports microwaves, dishwashers, freezers, sump pumps, dryers, ovens, AC units, 240V outlets, garage circuits, laundry circuits, workshop circuits, additions, and overloaded circuit fixes.
There are many electricians in the Des Moines area, and here's why homeowners keep choosing our team for their inspection and code correction needs.
Electrical concerns don't always wait for business hours, and our team is available around the clock to respond when something needs attention right away.
Every job gets the personal care of a family-run, owner-operated team that shows up clean, organized, and genuinely invested in doing the work right.
For homeowners who need corrections or upgrades after an inspection, flexible financing options are available to help spread out the cost comfortably.
Electrical safety inspections can help identify concerns that homeowners may not see during everyday use, including overloaded circuits, aging panels, poor grounding, double-tapped breakers, and unsafe junction boxes. Some electricians also use thermal imaging diagnostics to identify hot spots that may indicate loose connections or overloaded wiring.
Electrical home inspections can be very helpful before buying an older house, especially if the home has aging panels, ungrounded outlets, knob-and-tube wiring, aluminum wiring, or past DIY electrical work. A detailed inspection gives buyers a clearer view of safety concerns, upgrade needs, and potential repair costs before closing.
Many homeowners schedule electrical inspections when buying a home, remodeling, adding an EV charger, installing a generator, or noticing signs like flickering lights, buzzing outlets, burning smells, or repeated breaker trips. Older homes may benefit from more frequent electrical inspections because wiring, panels, grounding, and circuit loads can change over time.
An electrical code correction may include replacing improper breakers, adding GFCI or AFCI protection, repairing unsafe junction boxes, correcting grounding and bonding, fixing exposed wiring, or addressing double-tapped breakers. The electrician first identifies the issue, checks the surrounding electrical setup, and then corrects the work so the system operates more safely.
Breakers usually trip because a circuit has too much load, a device has a fault, wiring needs attention, or the breaker itself does not match the circuit correctly. An electrical contractor can test the circuit, inspect the panel, review the connected devices, and recommend a safe fix before the issue becomes a bigger headache.
FAQs reviewed by Trevor Perrigo, owner of Upfront Electrical, a licensed master electrician.
Call Upfront Electrical today to schedule your electrical inspections with contractors who deliver a detailed, honest assessment every time.
Business Name: Upfront Electrical
Address: Des Moines, IA 50317
Phone: 515-344-7126
Business Hours:
Mon - Sun: 24/7
24 Hour Emergency Service Available
