What is an EICR?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report, or EICR, records the condition of existing fixed electrical wiring after inspection and testing. It covers the agreed installation, including circuits, protective devices, earthing and a suitable sample of accessories. It does not certify a new installation or automatically include repairs.
Signs you need EICR electrical testing
- A letting property is due for its next electrical inspection
- You are buying a home without a recent condition report
- Previous alterations or recurring faults need a proper assessment
- An insurer, agent or surveyor has requested a report on the fixed wiring
What the electrician may do
- Agree the installation covered, circuit count, access and any unavoidable limitations
- Inspect accessible wiring, consumer units, earthing, bonding and sampled accessories
- Safely isolate for dead tests and undertake the necessary live tests using suitable equipment
- Record results, observations and classification codes with a satisfactory or unsatisfactory outcome
- Explain urgent action, further investigation and separately priced remedial work
C1 means danger present and requires immediate action; C2 means potentially dangerous; C3 means improvement recommended; FI means further investigation required without delay. C1, C2 or FI observations make a report unsatisfactory. A C3 alone does not. An older installation is assessed for safety, rather than failed simply because every detail differs from current practice.
What to include when asking for a quote
Provide the number of bedrooms, any previous report and a photograph of the consumer unit’s exterior or normal user-accessible labels. Do not remove its cover. Arrange access to rooms and accessories, and warn the inspector about medical equipment, alarms, home-working and anything affected by a power interruption.
What does EICR electrical testing cost?
The indicative UK guide range is £120–£350. It is a budgeting allowance rather than a guaranteed quotation. Ask for the total payable, including VAT where applicable, and a clear list of exclusions.
Circuit count, extra consumer units, installation complexity and access affect the inspection fee. A large house with outbuildings takes longer than a small flat. The guide price covers inspection and the report; repairs, further investigation and a return visit should be identified separately.
Checks, testing and documents
An inspection does not itself install new circuits. Repairs or subsequent alterations may need their own testing, certification and notification arrangements, depending on the work and location.
Rental rules differ across the UK and can require shorter intervals where a report specifies them. Check the current government guidance for rental property in England and the equivalent guidance for the property’s nation and tenancy.
Electrical Safety First’s best practice guides explain condition reporting and classification codes.
Companies joining the network are asked to provide relevant insurance details and references. Before booking, check current insurance, relevant experience and registration for the work yourself. Electrical Safety First’s electrician register can help you check a business’s listed scope. A listing or introduction does not replace agreeing a written specification with your chosen electrician.
Questions homeowners ask
How long does an EICR take in the UK?
The site’s guide is two to five hours, depending on circuit count, access and complexity. Confirm the agreed scope and allow for power interruptions. Larger installations or faults requiring investigation can take longer.
Does an unsatisfactory EICR always mean a rewire?
No. The observations may call for a targeted repair, protective-device changes or further investigation. Ask the inspector to explain each code and the evidence before agreeing to a separate remedial quotation.
Is an EICR the same as appliance testing?
No. An EICR assesses the fixed installation within its agreed scope. In-service inspection and testing of appliances is a separate service, so tell the contractor if you also need that work.
When should my next electrical inspection be arranged?
Follow the report’s recommended interval and any shorter period required by the condition of the installation. Landlords must also follow the rules for their UK nation and tenancy; do not assume one timetable covers every property.
Request quotations for EICR electrical testing
Trusted Electricians is a matching service for independent businesses. One free online enquiry can help you receive up to four quotations from local electricians, depending on coverage, the work requested and availability. Four quotations are not guaranteed, and there is no obligation to accept one.
Describe your project and include the details above so electricians can judge the scope before contacting you.