What is an EICR?

An EICR covers the fixed parts of your electrical installation: the consumer unit (fuse box), the wiring behind walls and ceilings, sockets, light fittings, switches and the earthing and bonding. It does not cover your portable appliances, such as a kettle or a lamp.

The electrician does two things. First comes a visual inspection, looking for damage, wear, overheating, poor repairs and signs that something no longer meets current standards. Then comes testing, using instruments to measure things like circuit continuity, insulation resistance and how quickly the protective devices would react to a fault. Some of this needs the power switched off for short periods, so expect to lose electricity to parts of the property while the work is done.

The report lists every observation and gives each one a code. C1 means danger is present and immediate action is needed. C2 means potentially dangerous and urgent remedial work is needed. C3 means improvement is recommended but it is not a safety failure. FI means further investigation is required because the inspector could not tell the full picture from the checks made.

The overall result is either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. Any C1, C2 or FI observation normally means an unsatisfactory result. A C3 on its own does not. If you get an unsatisfactory report, the electrician can explain what needs fixing and quote for the remedial work. Once that is done, the report should be updated or confirmed in writing.

Landlords are the group most often asked for one. Privately rented homes in England generally need the electrical installation inspected and tested at regular intervals by a qualified person, with a copy of the report supplied to tenants. The rules can change, so check GOV.UK for the current position, especially if you let property in another part of the UK.

Homeowners are not usually legally required to have one, but it is a sensible check if you have just bought an older property, have not seen any electrical paperwork, or notice warning signs: flickering lights, warm sockets, a burning smell, tripping circuits or old rewireable fuses. If you are selling, there is generally no legal requirement for a homeowner to supply an EICR, but a buyer or their solicitor may ask for one. Your solicitor can advise on your situation.

The time depends on the size of the property and the number of circuits. A small flat can take a few hours. A larger house, or one with several consumer units, outbuildings or a lot of circuits, can take longer, sometimes most of a day. Poor access slows things down, for example furniture blocking sockets, a locked loft, or a consumer unit hidden behind stored items.

The report is normally written up after the on-site work. Ask the electrician when you can expect it, particularly if a tenancy start or a sale is waiting on it.

There is no single standard price, so be wary of anyone quoting one without knowing the property. Pricing usually depends on the number of circuits and consumer units, the size and age of the property, how easy it is to reach the wiring and the time the inspection will take. Some electricians charge a fixed price for the inspection, others work from an hourly rate or add a callout fee, and the quote should make clear which applies.

The inspection price does not normally include repairs. If the report finds faults, parts and extra labour are separate. Ask for a written quote that states what is included, what is not, and how any remedial work would be priced. Evening or weekend visits may be priced differently from weekday daytime ones.

Clear access to the consumer unit and to sockets, tell everyone in the property that the power will be off for short spells, and gather any previous electrical certificates or reports. Landlords should arrange access with tenants in good time.

Choose an electrician who is qualified to carry out inspection and testing, and ask what scheme they are registered with and how to verify it. A good electrician will explain the codes in plain language and answer questions about the findings.