Inspecting Potential Flip Post Fire

[Moshe Eisenberg]

Hi guys, I need some advice on a deal in looking at. I'm considering to buy a fixer upper. There was a fire in the house at the entranceway. I would like to inspect the utilities and the electrical before closing on the property but it's all shut off. Does anyone know if I can have the utilities turned on so I can have it tested and inspected. Would PSE&G turn on the electrical in a house after a fire? Perhaps I need a licensed electrician guide me, possibly requesting help from the building department. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated. Moshe

[Sam T.]

Doubtful. If the city shut it off due to code violation (fire damage) it will have to be inspected/repaired by a certified electrician who will at that point be able to setup a re-inspection from the building inspector and then have it turned on and that doesn't sound cost/time effective for you. The fact that you cannot inspect these items sounds like a great bargaining chip for you in your offer. You can have the sewer lines and furnace inspected without power. The best thing you could do is to call a few electricians and explain the situation and I'm sure one of them will guide you in the right direction. Good Luck-Sam