The wires in your pictures look like just regular (110) electrical plug wiring. Do you have one outlet with 4 thicker wires (220)? Dryers, since early 2000's, require a 4 wire plug for US electrical code on all new installs. The plug will be a funny shaped large 4 blade. I would think there is also some code about how far it has to be off the ground in case the washer overflows. There is a plumbing and electrical forum. You could question them (with pictures) to see if they think this is an issue. Per the link: A standpipe must extend at least 600mm (24") above the trap weir and terminate above the flood level rim of the washing machine(above the top of the washer). A washer box is typically installed at a height of 42" from the floor to the bottom of the box, as long as that height is above the washing machine's flood level rim. Again I would think there has to be shutoffs for the washer/dryer especially if this is a new build. Check with your local municipality, don't take the person trying to sell you the home to give you the correct answer. Personally I would want it changed before any cabinets were installed. Whatever you do buy the hoses that shut off if a leak is detected. I have no issue with the panel being in the laundry room. I would just question (the electrical forum) if there is some code about how close a panel can be to a water source. Possibly the picture makes the panel look closer than it really is. Here is a link that might be useful: Washing Machine Plumbing Installation

I am just borrowing terms from them Please don't; it confuses things when you use nonstandard terms. What you mean by breaker handles tied That means the handles are mechanically joined, so they can't operate separately. If one trips, the other opens. If one is shut off, the other is too. Thus, they work like a double-pole breaker, which may also be used. I have kept his weird labelling scheme for now. What you did was OK except that the ground should be connected to the box (if it's metallic). You also could have fitted a properly sized double pole breaker to the panel, and connected the hots to it. You'd also have needed to pigtail the neutrals so removing one of the recepts wouldn't break it. Am I going to find other surprises in my wiring Probably. Almost every house I've ever lived in has had some (usually unpleasant) wiring surprises. Sometimes it's pros, but I suspect that more often it's DIYs. DIY wiring has been around for a long time, and too many DIYers don't learn code or proper techniques before plowing ahead.

Realistically, as long as you have ready access to it, I don't see the problem. You know where the panel is, and, in case of a fire, the firemen are not going to be running around inside looking for a breaker box anyway. I'm very safety conscious, but I've got mine covered with a picture and I don't consider it a risk. It's not like the code folks are going to be knocking on my door to make sure that my panel is in plain sight. It's a problem when people do stuff like put a cabinet or a freezer in front of it so that there's not ready access. If you do decide to hang a picture, just make sure you don't drive a nail into one of the many cables that are in the wall and may be in close proximity to the back of the sheetrock. If you are still not comfortable doing this, call your local permitting authority.

Bus_driver, I never said I had both type breakers. I was trying to figure out which type I had. Anyway, I talked to my cousin who is a ME and in turns out the load center will not have to be replaced. All the slots will accept a tandem breaker which will replace a couple of the singles. It's not like I'm adding additional loading to the box. I just had to add a dedicated circuit for the microwave and I want to add a dedicated 20 amp breaker for my home theater both of which are currently on a shared circuit. Also a minor decrease in loading was obtained by going with LED lighting throughout the kitchen. Additionally, the service (main) panel will have less loading due to changing to a gas cooktop. If the center required replacement, I had no intentions of doing this my self; and, I was only trying to find out what model box was needed and are the tandem breakers widely used. Believe it or not, the above was a blessing in disguise. My cousin who works for the local power company came by to look at the load center. He also wanted to look at the service panel; and, I'm glad he did because the insulation on one of the hot leads had been severely damaged to where it's almost was shorted to the box. He stated this needed to be addressed asap. It turns out that washing your house with a clorox mixture is very damaging to the service panel and its contents. The DW has been complaining about the lights flickering but I just kind of blew it off. I feel very fortunate that this was discovered before something bad happened. I already called an electrician. Anyway, thanks for the advice and believe me when I say that I know my limitations when it comes to electrical work but one can learn given time.