What an EICR actually tells you about a property

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is an assessment of the condition of an existing fixed electrical installation. It is not simply a certificate confirming that the electricity works. The inspection is intended to identify deterioration, damage, defects and conditions that could create risks of electric shock or fire.

The report records the extent of the inspection, relevant test results, observed defects and the inspector's assessment of whether the installation is satisfactory for continued use. Limitations, including areas that could not be inspected or tested, should be recorded rather than silently assumed safe.

EICRs are relevant to landlords, homeowners, property buyers, managing agents and commercial premises. The reason for obtaining a report can affect the inspection scope, documentation and practical arrangements.

What is inspected during an EICR?

Consumer unit and protective devices

The inspector assesses the condition of the consumer unit, protective arrangements, signs of overheating, circuit identification and relevant aspects of earthing and bonding.

Wiring and electrical circuits

Inspection and electrical testing help establish the condition of accessible parts of circuits and identify issues such as insulation deterioration, incorrect connections or inadequate protection.

Sockets, switches and lighting

Accessible electrical accessories are considered for damage, deterioration and other defects. An EICR is not a guarantee that every concealed cable or fitting has been physically examined.

Electrical test results

Appropriate tests may include continuity, insulation resistance, polarity, protective-device operation and fault-loop measurements, depending on the installation and agreed inspection limitations.

Understanding EICR results: C1, C2, C3 and FI

Not every observation on an EICR carries the same level of risk. The classification code matters more than the number of comments in the report.

C1 — Danger present

A dangerous condition exists with a risk of injury. Immediate action is needed to remove or control the danger.

C2 — Potentially dangerous

The observation represents a potential danger and requires urgent remedial action.

C3 — Improvement recommended

An improvement is recommended, but a C3 observation alone does not make an EICR unsatisfactory.

FI — Further investigation

The inspector has identified a concern requiring further investigation without delay to determine the extent or significance of the issue.

An EICR containing a C1, C2 or FI observation is generally assessed as unsatisfactory. The necessary investigation or remedial work should be addressed; a C3 recommendation alone does not require the same response.

EICR requirements for landlords in England

Landlords covered by England's electrical safety regulations must arrange inspection and testing of fixed electrical installations by a qualified person at least every five years, or sooner where the report requires a shorter interval. The requirements cover private rented homes and, following the regulatory extension, social rented housing.

The full requirements, including transitional arrangements and confirmation following remedial work, are set out in government guidance. The inspection interval is not automatically reset every time a tenant changes: an existing satisfactory report may remain valid, subject to its recommended interval and any subsequent safety concerns.

Source: UK Government electrical safety guidance for landlords in England.

How to prepare for an electrical inspection

Before the appointment

  • Locate previous EICRs and electrical certificates if available.
  • Make the consumer unit and relevant rooms accessible.
  • Explain known problems such as regularly tripping circuits.
  • Arrange tenant access or building access where necessary.

During and after the inspection

  • Some circuits may need to be isolated temporarily for safe testing.
  • The inspection may have agreed sampling or access limitations.
  • Read the observations and codes rather than only the overall result.
  • Request a clear scope for any necessary follow-up work.

What affects the cost of an EICR?

A meaningful quotation should reflect the electrical installation being inspected. The number of circuits, property size, distribution boards, access restrictions, type of premises and available documentation can all influence the work involved. Commercial premises or installations with multiple distribution boards may need a more detailed inspection plan.

Do not judge a quote by the headline figure alone. Ask what inspection and testing are included, how limitations will be recorded, whether a written report and circuit schedules are supplied, and how separately identified remedial work is priced.

An EICR inspection and subsequent electrical repairs are different services. A report identifying problems does not mean the inspector should automatically replace the consumer unit or carry out every recommended improvement without explaining why the work is necessary.

Frequently asked questions

Does an EICR mean every cable in the property has been checked?

No. Inspection is subject to its agreed scope, accessibility, sampling and recorded limitations. Concealed wiring is not necessarily exposed during a routine condition report.

Will the electricity be switched off during testing?

Some tests require electrical circuits to be isolated. Any important equipment or access restrictions should be discussed before the appointment.

Does a C3 observation fail an EICR?

Not by itself. C3 means an improvement is recommended. C1, C2 and FI observations are treated differently because they indicate danger, potential danger or the need for further investigation.

Does an old-style consumer unit automatically mean failure?

No. The assessment depends on the actual condition, applicable safety requirements and observed risks. Age or appearance alone is not enough to determine every EICR outcome.

Does an EICR include repairing every fault?

No. The condition report documents inspection findings. Necessary investigation or remedial work should be explained and arranged separately where appropriate.

Do landlords need a new EICR for every new tenant?

Not necessarily. A suitable existing report may remain valid within the required inspection interval, provided no earlier reinspection is required and the installation remains safe. The new tenant must receive the relevant report.

Arrange an electrical inspection

Tell AVAG Electrical about the property, the purpose of the inspection and any existing reports or electrical concerns. This helps establish an appropriate inspection scope before arranging an appointment.

Contact AVAG Electrical

Preparing for an electrical inspection

Make previous inspection reports available where possible and identify any known electrical concerns. The inspection assesses the condition of the installation; any recommended remedial work should be considered separately.

Related electrical services

EICR Inspections London | AVAG Electrical
NAPIT registered · Member 84276 · Based in Catford SE607777 444 505 · info@avagelectrical.co.uk
NAPIT registered · Member 84276 · Based in Catford SE6

EICR Certificates in South East London

Professional Electrical Installation Condition Reports for homeowners, landlords and businesses across South East London.

EICR prices from

£130 + VAT

Serving: Catford · Lewisham · Forest Hill · Sydenham · Beckenham · Bromley · Hither Green · Dulwich & nearby areas

NAPIT registeredMember 84276
NVQ Level 3Main electrical qualification
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About EICR Inspections

Electrical Installation Condition Reports for homeowners, landlords, buyers and property managers. An EICR is appropriate when the condition of an existing fixed electrical installation needs to be assessed rather than when new work simply needs certifying.

Price guidance

1 bedroom £130; 2 bedrooms £150; 3 bedrooms £180; 4 bedrooms £210. Larger properties, HMOs, commercial premises and properties with multiple consumer units require a tailored quotation. All guide prices exclude VAT.

Planning and assessment

Earthing and protective bonding are part of the safety picture. New or altered work may depend on existing arrangements being adequate, so an electrician cannot responsibly ignore them where they are relevant to the proposed work. The relevant circuit protection has to suit the circuit and the work being carried out. RCD or RCBO protection, protective-device ratings and disconnection arrangements cannot be selected by appearance alone. Existing installations do not automatically have to be rebuilt simply because they were installed to an earlier standard. The important question is whether the relevant existing equipment and protective arrangements are safe and adequate for the current circumstances and any new work. Cable routes and conductor sizes need to match the design conditions. Concealed cables, thermal insulation, grouped circuits, long runs and the expected load can all influence what is suitable. Testing is not an optional finishing touch. Polarity, continuity, insulation resistance and other measurements or functional checks are selected to suit the work and installation so that the result is verified rather than assumed.

A typical EICR enquiry in London starts with the postcode, property type and a short description of what you need. Photographs can be useful for an initial discussion, but they do not replace inspection or testing where the condition of the installation matters. AVAG then confirms whether the next step should be a quotation visit, a diagnostic attendance or a defined piece of work. Before starting, the scope and likely price are agreed. During the work, anything materially different from what was expected is explained before additional work is undertaken. On completion, the installation or alteration is checked and the outcome is an electrical installation condition report recording observations, classification codes and the overall assessment of the installation at the time of inspection.

Certification and records

The outcome is an Electrical Installation Condition Report recording observations, classification codes and the overall assessment of the installation at the time of inspection.

Choose your area

These are not duplicate doorway links: each local page contains its own property context, service planning, pricing guidance, FAQs and nearby-area links so users can browse the hierarchy by service and location.

EICR: practical considerations

A professional EICR quotation should make the scope understandable. The customer should know whether inspection, testing, standard materials, certification and making-safe work are included, and which items are subject to further assessment. That is particularly important when existing wiring is concealed and its condition cannot be established from photographs.

Electrical work should be designed around current use and foreseeable demand. Kitchens, heating equipment, home offices, extensions, garden buildings and vehicle charging can materially change how a property uses electricity. Even when only one job is being carried out, considering future requirements can avoid unnecessary rework.

Standards change over time. An existing installation is not automatically dangerous because it was installed to an earlier edition, and a new-looking accessory is not proof that the circuit behind it is satisfactory. Inspection, testing and the circumstances of the proposed work are what allow a competent electrician to make a reasoned assessment.

Customers should keep electrical certificates and reports with the property records. They help future electricians understand alterations, provide evidence of work carried out and reduce uncertainty when the property is sold, let or renovated later.

Where a job uncovers an unexpected defect, the correct response is to explain the finding and agree the safe next step. Concealed damage, borrowed neutrals, poor previous alterations and inaccessible junctions are examples of conditions that may not be visible until testing or access begins.

Customer guide

What to know before booking

Practical information for planning electrical work without turning the website into DIY instructions.

How to prepare for the visit

Make the consumer unit and relevant work areas accessible where possible. If the fault is intermittent, note what was running and when the problem happened. For planned work, prepare a list of required points and priorities. Good information reduces guesswork and helps the electrician use site time effectively.

Comparing quotations properly

Compare what is included, not only the final number. Check whether testing, certification, labour assumptions and materials are identified. A quotation that appears cheaper may simply exclude work that another contractor has included from the outset.

What photographs can and cannot show

Photos can show the type of consumer unit, visible accessories, room layout and obvious damage. They cannot prove insulation resistance, continuity, polarity or the condition of concealed cables. Treat photographs as a scoping tool rather than a substitute for testing.

After the work

Keep the invoice, report or certificate with the property records. If labels or circuit schedules have been updated, avoid removing them. Clear records make later maintenance easier and give future electricians useful context.

Safety first

Do not remove covers, expose live parts or attempt mains electrical testing to collect information for a quotation. If there is smoke, heat, arcing or an immediate danger, isolate the supply only if it is safe to do so and seek urgent professional assistance.

Questions worth asking about eicr

Ask what part of the existing installation the new work depends on, what testing will be carried out and which certificate or record will be supplied. Ask what assumptions the quotation makes about access and concealed wiring. These questions reveal far more about the quality of the proposed work than a list of product brands.

It is also reasonable to ask what happens if testing identifies an unrelated defect. A clear contractor will distinguish between work that is necessary to complete the agreed job safely and improvement work that can be considered separately.

Why property-specific assessment matters

Two properties of the same size can require different electrical work because circuit arrangements, earthing, previous alterations, access and intended use differ. That is why AVAG uses published guide prices where a service can sensibly be standardised and survey-based quotations where it cannot.

The goal is to give enough information for a customer to make a decision without pretending that a website can diagnose concealed electrical conditions.

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Tell AVAG what electrical work you need.

Send the postcode, property type, a short description and photographs where useful.

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