Dear Editor,

I write as a concerned homeowner who has encountered the harsh and discouraging realities of Jamaica’s current system for electrical inspections. My recent experience seeking certification for my newly constructed home has left me both frustrated and disheartened.

In Clarendon, I contacted two licensed electrical inspectors — one male and one female. The male inspector quoted me a staggering $120,000, while the female inspector quoted $80,000. Alarmingly, both prices excluded the cost for the required circuit drawings, which must be provided once the main electrical cable is 16mm or larger. After speaking with the female inspector, she attempted to justify the high price by citing various factors that inspectors typically consider when setting their fees. However, none of her explanations seemed logical or reasonable. It became quite clear to me that the independence these inspectors now have in setting their own prices has opened the door to inconsistent and, frankly, unfair practices that leave consumers at their mercy.

These fees are exorbitant and, frankly, unreasonable for the average Jamaican. It is already financially taxing to build a home in today’s economy. One must purchase land, secure materials, hire skilled labour, and pay a certified electrician to wire the house safely and legally. To then be asked to pay tens of thousands more — just for an inspection — feels like an added punishment for trying to do things the right way.

This situation raises serious questions: Is there a pricing guide that governs what licensed electrical inspectors are allowed to charge? Who is responsible for regulating these fees and ensuring that consumers are not being exploited? If inspectors are inflating costs or operating without transparency, what penalties or consequences are in place to protect the public?

In light of these issues, perhaps it is time to reconsider whether the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) — the entity ultimately responsible for providing electricity — should also be responsible for conducting or managing inspections. It seems only logical that the body supplying the service should ensure that consumers meet the necessary safety requirements at a fair and standardised cost. Under JPS’s direct oversight, the process might become more streamlined, transparent, and affordable, eliminating the wide discrepancies in pricing and reducing the temptation for homeowners to bypass the system entirely.

Without proper oversight and accountability, homeowners are left vulnerable to arbitrary pricing and unfair treatment. If the regulatory body permits this to continue, it undermines trust in the entire system and drives desperate citizens toward illegal connections as their only option.

I implore the relevant authorities to urgently review the pricing structures currently being enforced by inspectors and consider reinstating a more regulated, standardised, and affordable system. If we are serious about national development, equity, and public safety, then the pathway to compliance must not be paved with such crushing financial barriers.

St Aubyn Richards

Manchester

clever2g@yahoo.com