EICR in Stock CM4

Do I need one, what will it involve, and what happens if something is flagged? Billericay Electrical Services covers Stock and the surrounding parts of Essex, and this page answers the questions that come up most.

EICR stands for Electrical Installation Condition Report. It records the results of inspection and testing of the fixed electrical installation in a property: the wiring, consumer unit, sockets, switches and light fittings. It does not cover plug-in appliances. The aim is to find damage, wear, overloaded circuits and anything that falls short of the standards expected.

People usually ask for one because of a rental, a sale or purchase, or a lender or insurer asking for it. Others simply want to know whether an older installation is still in good order. The rules about who must have one can change, so check GOV.UK for the current position.

The electrician looks over the installation, then runs tests on the circuits with specialist instruments. Parts of the property will have the power off for a while, so plan around that and save any work on computers first.

How long it takes depends on the size of the property and the number of circuits. Be wary of anyone who gives a firm price without asking about either. It also helps to make sure the consumer unit is easy to reach, and to mention any areas that are locked or awkward, such as lofts, garages and outbuildings.

Observations in an EICR are usually given a code. C1 means danger is present and urgent action is needed. C2 means something is potentially dangerous. C3 means an improvement is recommended. FI means further investigation is required.

A report with C1, C2 or FI items is generally classed as unsatisfactory. A satisfactory report can still list C3 items. An unsatisfactory result is not the end of the road. The faults can be put right and the property can then be reassessed. If the consumer unit is old or poorly arranged, the report may point towards a consumer unit upgrade.

Landlords have duties to keep the electrics in a rented home safe, and there are rules about inspection and testing for tenanted properties. Those rules can change, so check GOV.UK before you rely on any summary, including this one. A Landlord EICR gives you a clear record of the installation's condition.

If you are buying, you may want an EICR before you commit, so you know what the wiring is really like. If you are selling, having one ready can help avoid last-minute surprises. Shops, offices and other workplaces have their own responsibilities too, and a Commercial EICR covers those premises.

To get an accurate quote, say what type of property it is, roughly how many bedrooms or rooms it has, and how many consumer units you have. Mention why you need the report, whether tenants are living there, and any known problems such as tripping circuits or flickering lights.

Whoever you choose, it is sensible to ask to see their ID, and to ask about their qualifications in inspection and testing and whether they belong to a recognised electrical registration scheme. Use the enquiry form on this page to send your details and ask for a quote.