An EICR sounds official and technical. The full name is Electrical Installation Condition Report. But what does it actually involve? What will an electrician be doing in your home, how long does it take, and what do all those codes mean when you get the report? Let me walk you through the whole process.
What Does EICR Stand For and Why Do You Need One?
EICR is the standard safety inspection for existing electrical installations. It’s not about upgrading your system. It’s about checking that everything installed is safe, compliant, and working properly.
Landlords are legally required to get an EICR every 5 years if they’re letting properties. Homeowners aren’t legally required to, but it’s recommended every 10 years. And if you’re buying or selling a property, a surveyor might recommend one. It’s also crucial before major work like an EV charger installation or kitchen rewire.
How Long Does It Take?
For an average three bedroom home, an EICR takes between 2 and 4 hours. A smaller property might be done in 1.5 hours. A larger house or one with complex wiring could take longer.
The electrician isn’t working the whole time on visible stuff. Some of that time is testing circuits, checking connections, documenting everything, and writing up the report. It’s thorough work, not rushed.
What the Electrician Actually Checks
When I carry out an EICR, I’m checking every circuit in your home. I’m looking at your consumer unit, all the wiring, all the outlets and switches, any hardwired appliances. I’m testing for earth faults, insulation resistance, and continuity. I’m looking for damage, deterioration, signs of overheating, or anything that doesn’t meet current standards.
I’ll check your earthing arrangements, your RCD protection, and whether everything is properly labelled. I’m making sure nothing’s a danger.
It’s methodical. I’ll visit every room, open switch plates, check concealed wiring where I can access it, and test circuits. I might ask you questions about how the property’s used, any problems you’ve noticed, or any recent work that’s been done.
The Report Codes Explained
When you get your EICR report, circuits get coded based on what was found.
C1: Danger Present. This means something is an immediate safety risk. It could be exposed live parts, faulty earth arrangements, or something else that could cause electric shock or fire. This needs fixing now. Not tomorrow, not next week. Now.
C2: Potentially Dangerous. This is something that’s not immediately dangerous but could become so. It might be deterioration that’s progressing, or a condition that could become unsafe. This needs addressing fairly urgently, typically within a month.
C3: Improvement Recommended. This isn’t a safety issue but it’s not meeting modern standards. Maybe there’s no RCD protection on a particular circuit, or the labelling isn’t clear, or it doesn’t align with 18th Edition regulations. You should fix this, but it’s not an emergency.
FI: Further Investigation. Sometimes I can’t fully assess something without doing more work, maybe removing parts of the installation. If I code something FI, I’m saying more investigation is needed before I can give you a definite answer.
What If You’ve Got a C1 or C2?
If something’s coded C1, don’t use that circuit until it’s fixed. It’s a genuine safety risk.
If there are C2 items, contact a qualified electrician within a month and get them sorted. These are often issues like missing bonding, outdated RCD arrangements, or deteriorating cables.
The Certificate You Get
The report is a legal document. It’s a record of the condition of your installation on that date. If there’s ever a problem, and someone asks whether the installation was safe, your EICR report is evidence.
Keep it. If you’re renting the property, you legally have to provide it to tenants. If you’re selling, it’s valuable to show a buyer that the installation has been professionally checked.
Cost
An EICR for an average home is typically £150 to £350 depending on the size and complexity. It’s a modest investment for the peace of mind and the legal record it provides.
Ready to Book?
If you need an EICR, call me on 01904 599109. I’m NAPIT registered, Which? Trusted Trader, DBS checked, and rated 5 stars on Google. I’ll give you a fixed quote upfront, complete the inspection thoroughly, and provide you with a clear, jargon-free report.
For full details, visit my electrical reports service page.