What Will the EICR Report Show?
Inspectors will use the following grades of test to indicate where a landlord must undertake remedial work:
Danger present or Risk of injury: The electrical inspector can make any of these types of hazards safe before leaving the property.
Potential danger: Further urgent investigation required.
Improvement recommended: Further remedial work is not required for the report to be deemed satisfactory, but are advised.
When Do You Need an EICR?
With wear & tear plus age, electrical installations will naturally degrade over time and become potential risks for a property’s inhabitants.
The 'Institution of Engineering and Technology' (IET) Wiring Regulation BS 7671, (the UK standard for electrical installations) recommends:
Landlords – An EICR certificate should be renewed every 5 years, when there is a change of tenancy, or when a new property is purchased to let.
Homeowners – An EICR test should be conducted every 10 years unless the property has a swimming pool, whereby tests should be conducted every year.
Business Owners with Premises– An EICR test should be conducted every 5 years.
Who can carry out an EICR?
Only a qualified electrician can conduct and issue an EICR report.
How much does an EICR Cost?
EICR costs can vary and depend on a variety of factors. Costs are not fixed. They can differ depending on the following factors:
Location – Prices are generally very competitive throughout the UK, but anywhere without a local electrician will incur higher call out rates due to distances travelled by the tradesperson carrying out the tests.
Property age – Older properties tend to be more difficult to maintain, requiring longer and more extensive testing.
Property size – Larger properties with more rooms will naturally take longer to test, potentially prolonging an investigation.
Inspection duration – Additional actions or remedial works will incur higher costs and potentially labour fees.
