FIRST LOOK 

Residential Electrical Check and Report 

Terms and Conditions 

Last updated: 7 October 2026 

 

These Terms and Conditions apply when a customer ("you" or "your") engages First look ("First look", "we", "us" or "our") to undertake a residential electrical inspection, check, assessment and associated report ("Electrical Check"). 

By booking or authorising an Electrical Check, you agree to these Terms and Conditions. 

 

1. Purpose of the Electrical Check

The First look Electrical Check is a residential electrical condition and safety assessment designed to provide you with practical information about the observable and testable condition of the electrical installation and electrical equipment at the property at the time of inspection. 

The resulting report may record items as being in good or acceptable condition, needing improvement, not applicable, not viewed or otherwise comment on their condition. It may also contain photographs, test results, recommendations, items requiring repair and an overall electrical-installation score.  

 

The Electrical Check is intended to assist you in understanding the property's electrical condition. It is not a guarantee that the property or electrical installation is free from defects or electrical hazards. 

 

2. Scope of the Electrical Check

Subject to the property's design, the equipment present, accessibility and safety considerations, the Electrical Check may include assessment of: 

Incoming electrical supply 

• boundary box or pole fuse where applicable; 

• incoming mains cable; 

• meter box; 

• main earth connection and location; and 

• recording the ICP or meter connection number where available. 

Main switchboard and circuit protection 

• condition of the main switchboard; 

• access to the main switch; 

• main switch; 

• residual current devices (RCDs); 

• miniature circuit breakers (MCBs); 

• fuses where present; and 

• dedicated circuits. 

Electrical safety testing 

Where reasonably practicable and appropriate, testing may include: 

• polarity testing; 

• earth fault loop or line testing; 

• RCD testing; and 

• independent earth testing. 

Hot-water systems 

• electrical aspects of hot-water cylinders; 

• instant electrical hot-water systems; and 

• electrical isolation switches associated with the system. 

Cooking equipment 

• electrical aspects of ovens, hobs and cooktops; 

• whether equipment is freestanding or built in; and 

• relevant electrical isolation switches. 

Lighting 

• downlights; 

• surface-mounted lighting; 

• external lighting where applicable; 

• general observed lighting types; 

• light switches; and 

• readily observable condition of associated electrical fittings. 

Power outlets and fixed appliances 

• condition of accessible socket outlets; 

• fixed electrical appliances where included in the inspection; 

• external power where applicable; 

• presence of RCD protection; and 

• testing of a sample of accessible socket outlets. 

Importantly, testing is 10% of accessible sockets, including socket polarity and earth fault loop/line testing. Accordingly, testing is a sample assessment and not a test of every socket outlet in the property, unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing.  

Wet-area electrical equipment 

• observable electrical equipment in bathrooms, laundries and external areas where applicable, including relevant IP-rating considerations within the scope of the inspection. 

Electrical cabling Where reasonably and safely accessible: 

• modern TPS cable; 

• older TPS cable; 

• observable older wiring types; and 

• observable wiring condition. 

Roof and underfloor areas 

Roof or underfloor areas will only be inspected to the extent that they are reasonably and safely accessible. 

Electrical heating 

• heat pumps; 

• panel heaters; 

• fan heaters; and 

• other included fixed electrical heating equipment. 

External electrical installations  

Where applicable and reasonably accessible, the report may consider electrical installations associated with garages, sheds, pump houses, septic systems, solar equipment, generators or similar external installations. 

Importantly, review of these items are general assessments of condition and are do not assess complete functionality as they may need a specialist inspection. 

 

3. Visual and Non-Invasive Nature of Inspection

Unless expressly agreed otherwise, the Electrical Check is primarily a visual, accessible and non-invasive inspection combined with the electrical tests included within the agreed scope. 

First Look is not required to: 

• remove wall, ceiling or floor linings; 

• undertake destructive investigation; 

• move heavy furniture or stored belongings; 

• expose concealed wiring; 

• dismantle equipment solely for the purpose of determining hidden condition; 

• enter an area we reasonably consider unsafe; 

• access areas that cannot reasonably be reached; or 

• test every electrical fitting, outlet, appliance or circuit in the property. 

Concealed, intermittent or inaccessible defects may therefore not be identified. 

 

4. Accessibility and Inspection Limitations

The usefulness of the Electrical Check depends on reasonable access. 

You must ensure, so far as you reasonably can, that we have safe and reasonable access to the property, switchboard, meter, electrical fittings and other areas relevant to the inspection. 

If an area or item cannot safely or reasonably be accessed or tested, First look may: 

1. exclude it from the inspection; 

1. inspect it only to the extent reasonably possible; and/or 

1. identify the limitation within the report. 

A notation such as"Not viewed", "Not accessible", "Partially accessible" or "Not applicable" does not mean the item has been inspected and found safe. 

 

5. Sampling

The Electrical Check may use reasonable sampling rather than inspecting or electrically testing every identical or similar item. In particular, electrical testing of will consider 10% of accessible outlets.  

Unless expressly agreed otherwise, findings from sampled items must not be interpreted as confirmation that every unsampled item has the same condition or will produce the same test result. 

 

6. Meaning of Report Ratings

Descriptions such as: 

• "In Good Condition"; 

• "Acceptable"; 

• "Needs Improvement"; 

• "Not Applicable"; 

• "Not Viewed"; 

• "Pass"; or 

• similar terminology 

represent the workers’ assessment within the scope of the Electrical Check at the time of inspection. 

"Good Condition" or "Acceptable" does not constitute a warranty about future performance or confirmation that no concealed fault exists. 

"Needs Improvement" does not necessarily mean an immediate electrical danger exists. The report and associated comments should be read to understand the worker's findings and recommendations. 

Where First look identifies an item requiring urgent repair, you should take that recommendation seriously and arrange appropriate investigation or remedial work by a suitably qualified electrical worker. 

 

7. Electrical Installation Score

The report may include an Electrical Installation Score 

The score is a First look summary assessment designed to help communicate the observed overall condition of the electrical installation. 

The score is not: 

• a statutory electrical safety certificate; 

• a Certificate of Compliance; 

• an Electrical Safety Certificate; 

• a Record of Inspection; 

• an assurance that the installation complies with every applicable regulatory or technical requirement; 

• a guarantee against electrical faults; 

• a prediction of future performance; or 

• a substitute for considering the detailed findings and recommendations in the report. 

The customer should therefore not rely on the numerical score in isolation. The entire report, including photographs, comments, limitations and recommendations, should be read. 

 

8. Photographs

The Electrical Check may include photographs of relevant electrical installations, equipment, property areas and observed defects. 

You authorise First look to take and retain photographs reasonably necessary to document the inspection, prepare the report, maintain business records and address questions or disputes concerning the inspection. 

Photographs are illustrative and do not necessarily depict every item inspected or every condition present at the property. 

 

9. Electrical Testing

Electrical testing is undertaken only where reasonably practicable, appropriate and within the agreed scope. 

Testing may require circuits or equipment to be temporarily isolated or switched off. 

You must tell us before inspection if the property contains equipment that must not have its electricity supply interrupted, including medical equipment, computer or communications systems, alarms, security systems or other sensitive equipment. 

Where a test cannot reasonably or safely be carried out, this may limit the conclusions that can be drawn. 

New Zealand's Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 contain the regulatory framework governing electrical safety, including requirements concerning electrical work, installations, fittings and appliances. [legislation.govt.nz] 

 

10. Identification of Unsafe Conditions and Urgent Repairs

Where the inspector observes an item that they consider requires urgent repair or further attention, this may be specifically identified in the report. 

If First look identifies an apparent immediate or significant electrical safety concern, it is recommended that the relevant fitting, appliance, circuit or installation not be used until appropriately assessed and, where necessary, repaired. 

The customer remains responsible for arranging recommended further investigation or remedial work. 

 

11. No Electrical Repairs Included

Unless separately agreed in writing, the Electrical Check and report do not include repairs, alterations, replacement or other remedial electrical work. 

Identification of a defect or recommendation for repair is not itself an agreement by First look to undertake the repair. 

Any subsequent electrical work must be separately authorised and may be subject to separate charges and terms. 

 

12. Report Represents a Point in Time

The report records observations and testing performed at the property on the date and time of the inspection. 

Electrical installations and equipment may subsequently: 

• deteriorate; 

• fail; 

• be damaged; 

• be altered; 

• be repaired or replaced; 

• develop intermittent faults; or 

• be affected by events occurring after inspection. 

Accordingly, First look does not warrant that the condition recorded in the report will remain unchanged after the inspection. 

 

13. Not a Guarantee of Regulatory Compliance

Unless expressly stated in the report for a particular item or test, the First look Electrical Check is not represented as a comprehensive compliance audit of the entire electrical installation against every requirement of New Zealand electrical legislation, codes or standards. 

The Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 distinguish prescribed electrical work and contain requirements relating to electrical safety and electrical installations. [legislation.govt.nz] 

The First look report should therefore not be described or relied upon as statutory certification where legislation requires a particular certificate, inspection or other prescribed documentation. 

 

14. Purchasing or Selling Property

Where the Electrical Check is obtained in connection with buying or selling a property, the report provides information about the electrical installation within the agreed inspection scope only. 

It is not: 

• a building inspection; 

• structural assessment; 

• property valuation; 

• LIM report; 

• title review; 

• insurance assessment; or 

• substitute for legal, building, financial or other appropriate professional advice. 

You remain responsible for deciding what additional enquiries or specialist reports you need before entering into an agreement concerning the property. 

 

15. Reliance on the Report

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the report is prepared for the customer named in the report for the purpose for which the inspection was commissioned. 

The report must be read as a whole. 

Individual photographs, ratings, test results, comments or the Electrical Installation Score should not be taken out of context or relied upon independently from the remainder of the report. 

Unless First look agrees otherwise in writing, a third party who receives a copy of the report should not assume that First look accepts responsibility to that third party. 

 

16. Customer Responsibilities

You must: 

• provide accurate property and booking information; 

• have authority to arrange access to the property; 

• obtain any necessary consent from owners, occupiers or tenants; 

• disclose known electrical or other hazards that could affect the inspection; 

• provide reasonable and safe access; 

• advise us about equipment that should not be disconnected or interrupted; and 

• read and appropriately act upon warnings and recommendations contained in the completed report. 

 

17. Fees and Payment

The fee payable is the price agreed or displayed when the Electrical Check is booked. 

Any additional investigation, return visit, remedial work or other service outside the agreed Electrical Check may be separately charged if agreed with you. 

 

18. Cancellations and Rescheduling

If you need to cancel or reschedule an inspection, you should provide us with as much notice as reasonably possible. 

Reasonable cancellation or rescheduling charges may apply, subject to your rights under New Zealand law. 

If First look cannot perform the inspection at the agreed time, we will arrange another reasonable time or, where appropriate, refund any payment for a service we are unable to provide. 

 

19. Consumer Guarantees Act

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes, restricts or modifies any statutory rights that cannot lawfully be excluded. 

The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 provides consumer guarantees relating to services, including that services will be carried out with reasonable care and skill, together with rights of redress when applicable guarantees are not met. [legislation.govt.nz] 

Where that Act or any other applicable legislation gives you rights that cannot legally be excluded, those rights remain unaffected by these Terms. 

 

20. Liability and Limitations

To the maximum extent permitted by law, First look is not responsible for a defect or condition that: 

• was concealed or inaccessible; 

• was outside the agreed inspection scope; 

• could not reasonably have been detected using the inspection and testing methods included in the service; 

• existed in an item that was not selected as part of a permitted sample; 

• was intermittent and did not manifest during inspection; 

• developed after the inspection; 

• resulted from work, damage or alteration occurring after the inspection; or 

• relates to an area specifically that was inaccessible, partially accessible, not viewed or not applicable. 

Nothing in this clause excludes or limits liability where doing so would be prohibited by New Zealand law. 

 

21. Recommendations and Future Work

Comments regarding anticipated replacement, improvement, upgrading or further investigation are professional observations made in the context of the Electrical Check. 

Unless First look expressly provides a written quotation, the report should not be interpreted as quoting the price of future electrical work. 

Where further specialist investigation is recommended, the customer is responsible for arranging that investigation. 

 

22. Complaints or Questions About a Report

If you believe the report contains an error or you have a concern about the Electrical Check, please contact First look promptly. 

Where appropriate, you should give First look a reasonable opportunity to review the report, inspection records and relevant property conditions and, where reasonably required, reinspect the relevant area before another party alters or repairs it. 

This does not limit any legal rights you may have. 

 

23. Privacy and Report Information

First look may collect customer contact details, property information, inspection observations, photographs, electrical test information and other information reasonably necessary to provide the Electrical Check and report. 

Personal information will be handled in accordance with applicable New Zealand privacy requirements and First look's applicable privacy policy. 

 

24. New Zealand Law

These Terms and Conditions and the Electrical Check are governed by New Zealand law. 

If any provision of these Terms is unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue to apply to the extent permitted by law.