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An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is an exhaustive inspection of your electrical installation’s fixed wiring. It provides a snapshot of your electrical system to determine its safety and compliance with regulations, and to identify any potential safety hazards. The focus is on examining the underlying electrical system – the wiring, fuse board, earth bonding, and all other unseen components that could pose a risk – rather than simply checking if your lights turn on.
A certified electrician will visit your property, conduct a visual evaluation, and then perform a series of checks on your electrical systems. If they discover any ‘code one’ issues, i.e., immediately dangerous problems, they will need to fix them on the spot or at least ensure they are safe. They’ll document any other ‘code two’ problems that are potentially dangerous and provide a quote to fix them at the end of the process, along with any ‘code threes’, which are recommendations not considered unsafe.
During the visit, the electrician will fill out a seven-page report. A qualified supervisor will then review and sign off on the report to confirm its accuracy. After you’ve paid for the visit and any work done, the electrical company will provide you with a copy of the report. They will also give you a quote for any additional remedial work recommended to bring your system up to standard. The paperwork processing can take a couple of days.
Domestic EICR Certificate Prices
These prices are for minimum 10% or 3 circuits in one property. Additional circuits will be charged at £15 each.
Parking and congestion charges are not included.
Please do call if you have particular requirements.
For larger residential premises and for multiple properties please contact us for a bespoke quotation.
Cost Implications of EICR Report Fixes
The costs to remedy issues identified in an EICR report can vary substantially depending on the specifics of each job. Here are typical price ranges for common fixes in the London area:
• Upgrading a fuse box to a circuit breaker panel – £600 to £1200
• Installing RCD protection for additional circuits – £50 to £250 per circuit
• Rewiring a standard room – £5000 to £1000
• Complete rewire of an average house – £3000 to £10000
• Adding a new circuit – £150 to £800
• Upgrading sockets and switches – £200 to £800
While the costs may seem high, proactive maintenance is almost always less expensive than emergency repairs or fire damage remediation. Regular electrical inspections and system upgrades during renovations or when moving into older homes allows defects to be addressed in a planned, cost-effective manner. It provides long-term financial benefits alongside safety.
What is inspected during an EICR?
Your electrician will ensure that your fuse board is safe and meets the current regulations, which includes having the necessary circuit breakers and RCD protection. (Residual current devices are designed to protect you from a fatal electric shock if you come into contact with a live element.) Additional checks to prevent fatal electric shocks include verifying that everything is properly earthed. Your electrician will inspect this on your gas-meter pipework, water pipework, radiators, and all the metal in the building. They will also examine a sample (at least 10%) of your sockets, lights, switches, and accessories to confirm that the wiring is correctly installed.
How can you get ready for an EICR check?
Keep in mind that your electrician will need to switch off the power before working on the wiring. This means you won’t have access to any electrical devices, so it might not be the ideal day to work from home. It could be more convenient to let them in and allow them to proceed with their work for a few hours. While it’s possible to restore circuits once they’ve been tested, this could prolong the process.
• Make sure your electrician can easily access all lights, sockets, and light switches. This involves clearing any areas where they’ll need to work before they arrive (areas like children’s bedrooms, lofts, and offices can be challenging).
• Don’t anticipate your electrician to provide you with a quote for remedial works right away. It will take roughly 48 hours to process the data from the check before they can do this. It could take longer, especially if you require extensive remedial works, which would necessitate another visit from your electrician to discuss options before they can provide a quote.
• Expect the report to reveal some ‘failures’ in your wiring system. The fact that your lights turn on doesn’t necessarily mean the underlying system is safe.
Who is eligible to conduct an EICR report ?
The responsibility of executing an EICR report lies with individuals who are considered ‘qualified and competent’. This requirement, mandated by the government, is particularly pertinent for landlords, who are legally required to conduct an EICR at least every five years. But what does ‘qualified and competent’ mean? While there are no specific legal qualifications to conduct an EICR, the industry standard favours registered electricians. These professionals have demonstrated their competence through stringent testing and regular evaluations. They have a comprehensive understanding of the BS 7671 standards, the Electricity at Work Regulations (1989), and the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974)—all crucial components for a thorough and accurate EICR. While technically anyone can conduct an EICR, only a report carried out by a registered electrician holds the necessary credibility and assurance for legal compliance and insurance purposes. Therefore, landlords and business owners are strongly recommended to hire registered electricians for their EICR reports.
What does “Qualified and Competent” mean?
In the context of an EICR, being ‘qualified and competent’ goes beyond just having basic knowledge of electricity. It requires a deep understanding of the intricacies of electrical installations and the ability to spot potential safety risks. A ‘qualified and competent’ individual has the necessary qualifications, experience, and skills to inspect and test electrical installations. In the UK, a key qualification is the Level 3 Award in the Inspection and Testing of Electrical Installations. This qualification, or its equivalent, is often held by registered electricians and serves as a strong indicator of competence.
Where can an EICR be conducted?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) can be carried out on all types of properties, ranging from domestic residences to residential homes, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities. Obtaining an EICR is often compared to getting an MOT for a building’s electrical systems, ensuring they meet safety standards.
For landlords, an EICR is especially crucial. It’s a legal obligation to guarantee that the electrical installations in rented properties are safe when tenants move in and remain in a safe condition throughout the tenancy.
This encompasses the property’s fixed electrical components, such as the wiring, socket outlets, light fittings, and the consumer unit. Any appliances supplied by the landlord should undergo Portable Appliance Testing or PAT.
The most common EICR faults and how we fix them?
Discover the most prevalent EICR faults we deal with daily, from circuit overloads to outdated systems, and learn the expert solutions to ensure electrical safety. Dive deep into the importance of EICR, the role of certified electricians, and the cost implications of fixes.
Circuit Overloads
Circuit overloads can be extremely dangerous. They happen when too many electrical devices draw power from the same circuit simultaneously, overloading it beyond its rated capacity. This causes the circuit breaker to trip or fuses to blow, interrupting power. It also leads to overheated wires, which can start electrical fires.
The immediate solution is to upgrade the circuit to a higher amperage rating, or balance the electrical load across multiple circuits. An electrician can determine the actual load on a circuit and install new breaker panels or wiring as needed. Attempting DIY electrical work often leads to more hazards, so calling in a certified professional is critical.
Damaged or Exposed Wiring
Wiring inside walls or electrical boxes can damage due to age, pests, improper installation, or excessive loads. Bare wires, loose connections, and fraying or sliced insulation can all cause shorts, shocks, and fires.
Electricians carefully inspect for any compromised wiring and will replace entire wire runs if necessary. They also ensure wires are properly routed and secured, with tight, enclosed connections. Damaged wiring must be addressed immediately to avoid potential shocks or fire hazards.
Absence of RCD (Residual Current Device)
An RCD is a crucial safety device that instantly breaks the electrical circuit if it detects dangerous earth fault currents.
RCDs greatly reduce the risk of severe shocks and electrocutions. Modern safety standards require RCD protection for nearly all circuits.
For older installations lacking RCDs, an electrician can assess the electrical system and install suitable RCD protection devices. They determine the right locations and types of RCDs and the proper installation methods. Attempting to add RCDs without professional knowledge risks improperly protecting the circuits.
Outdated Electrical Systems
Older electrical systems often lack the capacity and safety features of modern standards. Warning signs include fuse boxes, undersized wiring, two-prong outlets, and an absence of RCD protection. Outdated systems increase fire risks and reduce performance.
According to Electrical Safety First, 53.4% of all accidental domestic fires in England had an electrical origin in 2018/19. This highlights the importance of updating ageing electrical installations.
Modernising solves immediate issues and prevents future hazards. Electricians can fully evaluate systems to identify antiquated or unsuitable components.
They then recommend bringing the property up to current codes and standards. This often requires new consumer units, circuit breakers, wiring, outlets, and safety devices.
Faulty Electrical Installations
Installation mistakes happen more often than homeowners realise. Even professional electricians can make errors. DIY attempts frequently result in unsafe conditions due to lack of skills and knowledge.
Common mistakes include undersized wiring, unsecured connections, improper grounding, and incorrectly rated overcurrent protection. These issues can lead to overloaded circuits, shocks, and fire hazards. According to Electrical Safety First, there was a 400% rise in dangerous interference with energy metres and equipment in homes in 2018 compared to 2015. This further highlights the risks of DIY electrical work.
The solution is thoroughly inspecting and testing the installation to identify any deficiencies. These are then meticulously corrected to ensure completely safe and compliant electrical systems.
EICR for Landlords
For landlords, conducting regular EICR checks is not just a safety measure – it’s a legal requirement. These checks ensure that the electrical installations in rented properties are safe and compliant, protecting tenants from potential electrical hazards.
Landlords are responsible for arranging regular EICR checks and addressing any identified issues. Failure to do so can result in severe legal penalties, including fines or imprisonment. For more information on EICR requirements for landlords, visit our page on EICR rules for landlords.
EICR for Commercial Properties
Commercial property owners also have a legal obligation to ensure the safety and compliance of their electrical installations. Regular EICR checks are crucial for identifying and addressing any potential issues, protecting employees and visitors from electrical hazards.
Commercial property owners are responsible for arranging regular EICR checks and taking prompt remedial action to address any identified issues.
Non-compliance can again lead to serious legal consequences, including hefty fines.
What insights can you gain from an EICR report?
An EICR report offers a wealth of information about the condition of an electrical installation. It uses specific codes to indicate the severity of any identified issues:
• Code C1: Danger present, risk of injury. Immediate remedial action required.
• Code C2: Potentially dangerous. Urgent remedial action required.
• Code C3: Improvement recommended. Further remedial action advised.
• Code FI: Further Investigation required. A fault is there but needs further analysis.
The report also includes a detailed record of the inspection and testing results, any identified damage or wear and tear, potential hazards, and areas of non-compliance.