How to get an EICR

EICR stands for electrical installation condition report. It is a formal record of the condition of the fixed electrical installation in a property: the consumer unit (fuse board), wiring, sockets, light fittings and earthing and bonding. It is not a quick visual look. The electrician inspects the installation and runs tests to find out whether it is safe to keep using.

The report does not usually cover your appliances, such as a kettle or washing machine. Those fall under separate portable appliance checks. An EICR is about the permanent wiring and the equipment connected to it.

First, decide why you need it. Common reasons are renting out a property, buying or selling, a safety concern, or simply not knowing the age or condition of the wiring. Knowing the reason helps the electrician plan the visit.

Second, gather basic details: the type of property, roughly how many circuits or rooms there are, whether there is a garage, outbuilding or garden supply, and any known problems such as tripping or warm sockets. Older paperwork, including a previous condition report, is useful if you have it.

Third, request the inspection. Many people now arrange this online by sending these details through a firm's enquiry form. The inspection itself always has to happen in person, because the testing is done on site. Finally, agree a date and make sure the electrician can reach the consumer unit and every room.

Not every electrician is the right person for an EICR. The work needs specific knowledge of inspection and testing, current wiring regulations, test equipment and how to code faults. Ask whether the electrician regularly carries out condition reports, and ask to see proof of their competence, such as membership of a recognised competent person scheme.

You cannot sensibly do your own. Even if you are handy, the report needs calibrated test instruments and the training to interpret results. A landlord or buyer is unlikely to accept a report from someone without the right qualifications. Testing also involves isolating circuits, which carries real risk if you are not trained.

The electrician will usually switch the power off at times, so plan around computers, heating and anything that needs constant power. They inspect the consumer unit, open up some accessories and test the circuits. The time needed depends on the size and age of the installation.

The report lists any observations using standard codes. C1 means danger is present and immediate action is needed. C2 means potentially dangerous. C3 means improvement is recommended. FI means further investigation is required. The overall result is satisfactory or unsatisfactory. An unsatisfactory result usually means there is at least one C1, C2 or FI item.

If remedial work is needed, you can ask the electrician for a written quote for the repairs. Once the faults are fixed, the installation can be reassessed and the paperwork updated. Keep the report safe, as landlords, buyers and letting agents often ask to see it.

An EICR is normally priced as a fixed fee for the inspection, though some electricians work on an hourly rate or add a callout charge. What moves the price is mainly the size of the property and the number of circuits, how easy it is to reach the consumer unit and accessories, the age and condition of the wiring, and whether there are outbuildings or extra supplies. A longer job costs more than a short one.

Repairs are separate. Any remedial work is priced for parts and time, and the time of day or day of the week can also matter. Ask for a written quote that states what is included, and check whether remedial work and re-testing are covered or charged separately.

Rules for rented property are set by government and can change, so check GOV.UK for the current position in your part of the UK. In general, landlords must make sure the electrical installation is inspected and tested at regular intervals by a qualified person, and must keep the report and give copies to tenants. Five years is a common maximum gap for rented homes, but the report itself will state when the next inspection is due.

For your own home there is usually no set legal timetable, but regular checks are sensible, especially if you have just moved in or the wiring is old.