Two common panel problems. A double-tapped (or double-lugged) breaker has two wires jammed under one breaker terminal built for a single wire, a loose-connection and overheating risk. Over-fusing is a breaker rated higher than the wire it protects (say a 20-amp breaker on 14-gauge wire), so the wire can overheat before the breaker ever trips.
$100 to $400 to correct; a clue to a stretched or amateur-wired panelAddress soonElectrical
The quick answer
A double-tapped breaker (two wires under one terminal) or an over-fused breaker (rated higher than its wire) defeats the breaker's one job and is a fire risk. On their own they're a cheap fix, about $100 to $400, but a panel full of them signals amateur work worth a closer look. Have a licensed electrician review the panel, especially in a flipped or DIY-renovated home.
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Why it matters
Both defeat the breaker's one job, protecting the wire from overheating, and are fire risks. On their own they're an inexpensive fix, but a panel full of them is a strong signal of amateur or rushed electrical work, and often of a panel stretched beyond its capacity. Insurers and inspectors flag them.
How to spot it
With the cover on you usually can't see the wiring, but a photo of the open panel can show two wires under one breaker screw, or breaker amp ratings that look high for the circuit. Warm spots, buzzing, or scorch marks around a breaker are urgent. Have an electrician confirm.
What it costs
Correcting double-taps and over-fusing is usually $100 to $400. If it points to an overloaded or undersized panel, budget for a larger fix, see the undersized electrical service guide.
What to do
Have a licensed electrician review the panel, especially in a flipped or DIY-renovated home. Treat a messy panel as a reason to look harder at the rest of the electrical.
Education and triage, not a home inspection. Casaroo flags panel red flags from a photo and prompts an electrician's review, a licensed electrician confirms and corrects them. We flag; we don't inspect.
Common questions
Is a double-tapped breaker expensive to fix?
The fix itself is not, typically $100 to $400. The reason it matters is what it suggests: a panel with several of them usually means amateur or rushed electrical work, and often a panel stretched past its capacity.
Will an insurer care?
Insurers care, and a licensed electrician will flag panel defects too, and a messy panel invites questions about the rest of the electrical. It is worth having an electrician correct it and worth mentioning to your broker if the panel is otherwise dated.
Can I see this in listing photos?
Only if the panel cover is off, which is rare. What you can often see is the panel's brand, age, and general tidiness, and that is enough to decide whether an electrician should open it during your conditions.
Should I ask for the panel to be fixed before closing?
A credit is usually cleaner than asking the seller to arrange the work, because you want a licensed electrician you chose, and in Ontario the work should be done under an ESA permit.
Electrical work should be assessed and corrected by a licensed electrician; requirements vary by province.
Last reviewed 2026-07-02.
This guide is general education, not a home inspection and not advice for your specific property. Always
consult the appropriate licensed professional, and get a licensed home inspection before you remove conditions
or buy. Cost ranges are 2026 estimates that vary by region, size, and access; confirm specifics with a
qualified professional.