If your electrical Certificate of Compliance (COC) inspection fails, it is not the end of the road. A failed inspection simply means the inspector found something on your property that does not meet the safety rules, and that it needs to be put right before a certificate can be issued.
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Failed COC inspection: the short answers
What does a fail mean? The inspector found electrical faults or unsafe items that must be corrected before your Certificate of Compliance can be issued.
Can I still get the certificate? Yes. Once the faults are repaired and the installation is checked again, the certificate can be issued.
Who fixes the faults? A qualified electrician. At Thermo Group we can do the inspection and the repairs, so you deal with one company from start to finish.
What should I do first? Do not ignore the report. Call Thermo Group on 021 203 5337 or 082 302 0683 and we will explain what was found and what it takes to put it right.
This happens more often than most people expect, especially on older homes and before a sale or a rental. This guide explains in plain language what a failed COC inspection means, why it happens, what comes next, and how Thermo Group can help you get the certificate you need.
What does a failed electrical COC inspection mean?
An electrical COC inspection checks whether the electrical installation on your property is safe and meets the rules. When the inspector finds problems, the inspection is recorded as a fail and a certificate cannot be issued yet.
A fail is not a punishment and it does not mean your home is about to become dangerous overnight. It means there are items that need attention for the installation to be safe and compliant. Most of the time, these can be corrected, and the property can then be certified.
The most important thing is not to ignore it. If you are selling, renting out or transferring a property, the certificate is usually needed, so a fail left unresolved can hold the whole process up.
Common reasons an electrical COC inspection fails
Every property is different, but the same kinds of problems come up again and again. Some of the things that commonly lead to a fail are:
- Missing or faulty earth leakage protection. This is the safety device that cuts the power when there is a fault. If it is missing or not working properly, the inspection will usually fail.
- An unsafe or outdated distribution board. The main board that feeds your home must be safe, properly arranged and clearly labelled.
- Damaged, exposed or poorly joined wiring. Wiring that is worn, damaged or not properly protected is a safety risk.
- Unsafe plugs, sockets or light fittings. Cracked, loose or incorrectly connected points can fail an inspection.
- Work done without a qualified electrician. Additions and changes made by someone who is not qualified are one of the most common causes of faults.
- Missing certificates for earlier work. Alterations or additions, such as a solar installation, may need their own paperwork.
These are only examples. The inspector’s report lists exactly what was found on your property, and we explain it to you in plain language. Fixing these faults should only be done by a qualified electrician, not as a do-it-yourself job.
What happens after a failed inspection
The good news is that the path from a fail to a certificate is simple. Here is how it usually goes:
- You get the inspection report. It lists the faults that were found, so you know exactly what stands between you and the certificate.
- We explain it in plain language. If anything in the report is unclear, call us and we will go through it with you.
- You get a quote for the repairs. Repairs are quoted separately from the inspection, so you know the cost before any work starts.
- A qualified electrician puts the faults right. The work is done by qualified people, not as a do-it-yourself job.
- The installation is checked again. Once the faults are corrected, the installation is looked at again.
- The certificate is issued. When the installation meets the requirements, you receive your Certificate of Compliance.
If the certificate is for a sale or a transfer, tell us early so we can work around your dates.
Why use one company for the inspection and the repairs
When the same company does the inspection and the repairs, there is no back and forth between different people and no confusion about what the inspector meant. You also know the repairs are being done to what the inspector actually requires.
Thermo Group has been qualified since 2007. We are members of the ECA, SAPVIA and IOPSA, we hold the PV GreenCard and we are rated 4.9 on Google. We are open 24/7, and our work carries a one year workmanship warranty.
Common questions
Does a failed inspection mean my home is unsafe? Not necessarily, but it means there are items that need attention for the installation to be safe and compliant. Do not ignore the report.
Can I sell or rent out my property with a failed inspection? The certificate is usually needed for a sale, transfer or rental, so the faults should be put right first. Speak to us early so we can plan around your dates.
Can I fix the faults myself? No. Electrical repairs must be done by a qualified electrician so they are safe, compliant and covered by a warranty.
Do I have to use the same company for the repairs? No, but using the same company keeps things simple, because the people who inspected the property fix exactly what was found.
How much will the repairs cost? It depends on what was found, so repairs are quoted separately and you know the cost before any work starts.
Is there another inspection after the repairs? Yes. Once the faults are corrected, the installation is checked again before the certificate is issued.
Call us for advice or to arrange an inspection
Call Thermo Group on 021 203 5337 or 082 302 0683 and we can advise you on any questions you have and arrange an inspection. We are open 24/7.
We can arrange all the other inspections for the transfer of your property
If you are selling or transferring a property, the electrical certificate is rarely the only one you need. We can also arrange all the other inspections needed for the transfer, so you deal with one company instead of chasing several. Depending on your property, these include:
- Electrical Certificate of Compliance. Confirms the electrical installation is safe and meets the requirements.
- Plumbing Certificate of Compliance. Confirms the plumbing and water installation meets the requirements.
- Gas Certificate of Compliance. Needed where there is a gas installation, such as a gas stove, heater or braai.
- Electric fence Certificate of Compliance. Needed where your property has an electric fence.
- Beetle certificate. An inspection for wood-boring beetle in the timber of the property.
Not every property needs all of them. Call us and we will tell you which ones apply to yours and arrange them for you.
Related pages: Electrical compliance certificates in Cape Town, How much does an electrical COC cost in Cape Town, What we look for during a COC inspection, Compliance certificates when selling a house, Electrician in Cape Town.