How to get an EICR

An EICR is a formal condition report on the fixed electrical installation in a property: the consumer unit (fuse board), wiring, sockets, switches, light fittings and earthing and bonding. The electrician inspects what can be seen and carries out tests to check whether the installation is safe to keep using and whether it meets the standards it is judged against.

It is not a pass-or-fail sticker on a few sockets. It is a written record of the electrical installation condition at the time of the visit, and the result is either satisfactory or unsatisfactory.

First, decide why you need it. Common reasons are renting out a property, buying or selling, a mortgage or insurer asking for it, or simply wanting to know the wiring is in good order.

Second, find an electrician who carries out EICRs and send them the basics: the type of property, roughly how many bedrooms or circuits, whether it is occupied, and when you need the report. If you use an enquiry form, include anything you know about the age of the wiring and the fuse board.

Third, ask for a written quote and agree a date. Make sure the electrician can reach the consumer unit, all rooms, and any garage, loft or outbuilding with its own supply. Tenants may need notice, and the power will usually be switched off for periods during testing.

Finally, receive the report, read the findings and arrange any remedial work.

Any electrician can say they do EICRs, but the person signing the report needs to be competent in inspection and testing. As advice, ask about their qualifications and experience in periodic inspection, whether they are registered with a recognised competent person scheme, and whether they carry insurance. Ask to see proof if you want reassurance.

Be cautious about anything marketed as an online EICR. You can request and book one online, but a valid report cannot be produced without someone visiting and testing the installation. A homeowner should not do their own EICR either, because it needs specialist test equipment, training and the ability to interpret the results.

EICR pricing is usually quoted as a fixed price for the job, though some electricians charge by time or add a callout element. What moves the cost is the size of the installation and number of circuits, the age and condition of the wiring, how easy it is to get at the consumer unit and accessories, whether the property is furnished or occupied, and how long the inspection takes.

Any remedial work is separate from the inspection and involves labour and parts. Always ask for the quote in writing and check what it includes, such as the report itself, and whether any further investigation or repairs would be priced separately.

The report lists observations with codes. C1 means danger is present, C2 means potentially dangerous, C3 means improvement is recommended, and FI means further investigation is needed. A C1, C2 or FI usually means the report is unsatisfactory until the issue is dealt with.

Remedial work is then carried out to put those items right, and the electrician can confirm the work in writing. Keep the report safely, as buyers, letting agents, insurers and the next inspector may ask for it.

For rented homes, landlords have legal duties to ensure the electrical installation is inspected and tested at regular intervals, and the report must be provided to tenants and, on request, to the local authority. Intervals of up to five years are commonly referred to, but the inspector may recommend sooner. Landlords who do not comply can face enforcement action, including financial penalties from the local authority. The rules can change, so check GOV.UK for the current position.