EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report)

Professional EICR inspection by qualified electricians. Full condition report with classification codes. Qualified and insured.

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How it works

Pre-inspection preparation

The electrician reviews any previous electrical certificates and discusses the property's history with you. You will need to provide access to the consumer unit, all rooms, loft spaces, and outbuildings. Furniture may need to be moved away from sockets.

Visual inspection

Every accessible part of the fixed installation is visually inspected — the consumer unit, wiring at visible points, sockets, switches, light fittings, and any outdoor circuits. The electrician looks for signs of damage, overheating, incorrect connections, and non-compliance with current wiring regulations.

Dead testing

With the power off, the electrician tests insulation resistance between conductors, continuity of protective conductors (earth), and polarity of connections. These tests detect deteriorated cable insulation, broken earth paths, and wiring errors that could cause shocks or fires.

Live testing

With the power restored, earth fault loop impedance is measured at every circuit to verify that fuses and circuit breakers will disconnect quickly enough in a fault. RCD trip times are tested. Prospective fault current is measured at the origin of the installation.

Report and classification

The electrician compiles the EICR document. Each observation is classified: C1 (danger present — immediate remedial action required), C2 (potentially dangerous — urgent remedial action required), C3 (improvement recommended), or FI (further investigation required). The overall installation is rated as either Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.

Handover and recommendations

The completed EICR is explained to you in plain language. If any C1 or C2 codes are found, the electrician will advise on the remedial work needed and can typically provide a quote on the spot. For rental properties, C1 and C2 defects must be rectified within 28 days.

What's included

Full visual inspection of the fixed electrical installation

Dead testing — insulation resistance, continuity, and polarity

Live testing — earth fault loop impedance and prospective fault current

RCD trip time testing on all residual current devices

Inspection of the consumer unit, main earthing, and bonding

Testing of all accessible circuits, sockets, and lighting points

Classification of all observations using C1/C2/C3/FI codes

Completed EICR document with schedule of inspections and test results

Verbal summary and explanation of any defects found

Recommended date for the next inspection

What's involved

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a formal inspection and testing of the fixed electrical installation in a property — the wiring, consumer unit, sockets, switches, and protective devices. A qualified electrician carries out a series of visual inspections and electrical tests, then issues a report grading any defects using classification codes (C1, C2, C3, and FI). The EICR tells you whether your electrics are safe, and what needs fixing if they are not.

An EICR is the only way to verify that your electrical installation is safe and compliant with current standards. Wiring deteriorates over time — connections loosen, insulation degrades, and older installations may lack the protective devices required by modern regulations. An EICR is legally required every 5 years for rental properties in England, and recommended every 10 years for owner-occupied homes (5 years if the property is over 25 years old). It is also required when buying or selling a property, and for insurance or mortgage purposes.

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Typical cost: £150–£350per inspection

Every job is different — pricing depends on your property, location, and specific requirements. Describe what you need and a qualified electrician will quote you directly.

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How long does it take?

2-4 hours for a standard 2-3 bedroom house. 1-2 hours for a flat. A full day for large properties with outbuildings or complex installations. Additional time may be needed if access issues are encountered.

Regulations & safety

Safety notice

An EICR involves removing consumer unit covers and testing live circuits. It must be carried out by a qualified electrician — ideally registered with NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA, or equivalent competent person scheme.

If a C1 code (danger present) is identified, the electrician may isolate that circuit immediately for safety. Do not attempt to re-energise an isolated circuit until the remedial work has been completed.

An EICR is a snapshot of the installation at the time of inspection. It does not guarantee that faults will not develop between inspections. Report any signs of electrical problems (burning smells, sparking, warm sockets) immediately.

BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 (IET Wiring Regulations, 18th Edition)

The national standard for electrical installation in the UK. An EICR tests the installation against the requirements of BS 7671, including circuit protection, earthing, bonding, and cable sizing.

Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020

Requires landlords in England to have the electrical installation in their rental property inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every 5 years, and to provide a copy of the EICR to tenants within 28 days.

Part P of the Building Regulations (Approved Document P)

While Part P primarily covers new installation work, remedial work identified by an EICR that involves notifiable work (such as a consumer unit replacement or new circuit) must comply with Part P.

What to expect

The biggest factor affecting EICR cost is property size. A one-bedroom flat might take 2 hours and cost around £150. A four-bedroom detached house with a garage and outbuildings can take a full day and cost £300-350.

Older properties (pre-1970s) almost always receive C2 codes for lack of RCD protection, outdated earthing arrangements, or deteriorated wiring insulation. This does not necessarily mean the whole house needs rewiring — targeted remedial work may be sufficient.

Access is critical. If the electrician cannot reach sockets behind heavy furniture, circuits in locked rooms, or wiring in sealed loft spaces, those items will be marked as 'limitation' on the report. This reduces the report's value and may require a revisit.

For rental properties, an 'Unsatisfactory' EICR result means the landlord must arrange remedial work within 28 days and provide evidence to the local authority. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to £30,000.

If your property has not had an EICR or any electrical inspection in over 10 years, expect some observations. This is normal — the purpose of the report is to catch deterioration before it becomes dangerous.

Having issues with your existing installation?

Already have a eicr (electrical condition report) and having issues? Check our troubleshooting guides.

Failed EICR — What Happens Next?

Your Electrical Installation Condition Report has come back with unsatisfactory results.

Old Cloth Or Rubber Wiring

Your home has old cloth-insulated or rubber-insulated wiring that is deteriorating and may be unsafe.

Frequently asked questions

We’re happy to answer all your questions.

How often do I need an EICR?

For rental properties in England, an EICR is legally required every 5 years. For owner-occupied homes, the IET recommends every 10 years, or every 5 years if the property is over 25 years old. A new EICR is also recommended when buying a property, after major renovation work, or when changing tenants.

What do the EICR codes mean?

C1 means 'danger present' — immediate action is required and the electrician may isolate the circuit on the spot. C2 means 'potentially dangerous' — urgent remedial work is needed (within 28 days for rentals). C3 means 'improvement recommended' — not a safety risk but would benefit from upgrading. FI means 'further investigation required' — the electrician has found something that needs more invasive testing to diagnose.

What happens if my EICR is unsatisfactory?

An unsatisfactory result means one or more C1 or C2 codes were found. You should arrange for the remedial work to be carried out by a qualified electrician, then have the installation retested to confirm the defects have been resolved. For rental properties, this must be done within 28 days.

Will I lose power during the EICR?

Yes, temporarily. The electrician needs to turn off individual circuits and sometimes the entire supply to carry out dead tests. Each circuit is typically off for 5-15 minutes. The total downtime is usually under an hour across the full inspection. Sensitive electronics should be saved beforehand.

Can any electrician carry out an EICR?

An EICR should be carried out by a qualified electrician who holds the City & Guilds 2391 (or equivalent) inspection and testing qualification. For rental properties, the regulations require a 'qualified and competent person'. Using an electrician registered with NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA ensures they meet this standard.

Is an EICR the same as an electrical safety certificate?

An EICR is often informally called an 'electrical safety certificate' or 'landlord electrical certificate', but it is specifically a condition report on the existing installation — not a certificate of new work. An Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) is issued for new installations, while a Minor Works Certificate covers small additions. The EICR assesses the overall condition of what is already there.

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