What's the average cost of an EICR?

An EICR (electrical installation condition report) is an inspection and testing job, not a fixed product. A small flat with one consumer unit and a handful of circuits is a very different job from a large family house with extensions, outbuildings and an older fuse board. Any average you see online mixes all of these together, and it may be based on prices from London or other areas that do not match Essex.

Treat headline numbers on comparison pages with caution. What matters is what is included in the quote for your property.

Electricians tend to price an EICR in one of a few ways. Some give a fixed price after asking about the property. Others work from an hourly rate plus an allowance for the time the testing will take. A few add a callout or visit charge, particularly if the job is small or hard to reach.

Whichever method is used, ask what the quote covers. It should make clear whether it includes the inspection, the testing, the written report and the electrician's time on site. It should also say what happens if the inspection takes longer than expected, for example because of difficult access.

Several practical factors affect the price of an EICR:

Property size and number of circuits: more rooms and more circuits mean more points to test, so more time.

The consumer unit: its age, type and layout affect how easily circuits can be isolated and tested. Older boards can take longer to work through.

Access: locked rooms, furniture in the way, lofts, garages, outbuildings and hidden fittings all add time.

Condition of the wiring: if the installation is in poor condition or has been altered over the years without clear records, tracing circuits takes longer.

Type of property: a single flat, a house, a block with several units or a commercial space are all priced differently.

Timing: evening or weekend visits can be priced differently from standard working hours, so say when you need the work done.

The report records the condition of the installation and lists any observations or faults. If it finds problems, fixing them is remedial work, and that is normally quoted separately from the inspection itself. This might mean replacing a damaged accessory, correcting poor connections or upgrading a consumer unit that no longer meets current standards.

It is sensible to ask upfront how remedial work will be handled. A good electrician will explain each code on the report in plain language, tell you which items are urgent and give you a written quote for repairs before starting. You are not obliged to use the same electrician for the repairs, though many people find it simpler.

Landlords in England are generally expected to make sure the electrical installation in a rented property is inspected and tested at regular intervals by a competent person, and to keep the report. Local authorities can take action, including issuing penalties, where a landlord fails to comply. The rules can change, so check GOV.UK for the current position before you arrange anything.

Homeowners are not usually required to have an EICR, but one is often useful when buying or selling, after a long period without checks, or if you notice warning signs such as tripping circuits, warm sockets or flickering lights.

If you are looking for a free electrical safety check, be careful. A quick visual look is not the same as a full EICR, which involves isolating circuits and carrying out testing. Be wary of offers that seem to cover everything for nothing, as the cost often reappears in follow-up work.

An EICR should be carried out by a competent electrician with specific experience in inspection and testing, not simply anyone who does electrical work. Ask what qualifications they hold for this type of work, ask to see proof, and check that the report will be signed and clearly state the condition of the installation.

When comparing quotes, make sure each one is for the same job. Check the property details they have used, the number of circuits, whether the consumer unit is included, and how remedial work will be priced. Ask roughly how long the visit will take and whether the power will need to be off, as larger properties can take several hours or more.

The quickest way to a proper figure is to describe your property, its age and any known problems, then ask for a written quote.