This guide explains what an EICR is, and your responsibilities for getting one for your property. An EICR is an electrical installation condition report. It's a document that explains the current state of your property's electrical system and gives you information about how to keep it working safely in the future.
Electrical installation condition reports (EICRs) are an essential part of keeping your home safe and compliant with building regulations in the UK. An EICR is a report that is produced by a qualified electrician following a thorough inspection of all electrical installations and equipment in a home or business.
It gives a detailed overview of the state of the electrical system and highlights any potential safety risks or faults. This comprehensive guide to the EICR will provide you with everything you need to know about EICRs, including what they are, why they are necessary, how to find a qualified electrician and what to expect from an EICR report. With this guide, you can ensure that your home is electrically safe and compliant with UK regulations.
What Is an Electrical Installation Condition Report?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a report that assesses the condition of an electrical installation. An EICR is a legal document and must be completed by a qualified electrician. The report will cover damage, deterioration, defects and/or conditions which may give rise to danger.
The Importance of an EICR in the UK
Electrical installation condition reports (EICRs) are a legal requirement for all properties in England, Wales and Scotland. They help landlords and agents to ensure that their properties have safe electrical systems and are fit for purpose. It's an important document that helps to make sure your property is safe and secure, as well as giving you peace of mind.
An EICR report can help you sell your property by reassuring buyers that it's been inspected and found to be safe. The EICR makes it much easier for potential buyers to see exactly what needs to be done before moving into their new home or office space and what repairs need to be done immediately after purchase.
How Often Does an EICR Need to Be Done?
The frequency of an EICR depends on the type of property, the type of electrical installation and whether it has been inspected recently. Landlords of rental properties in England, Scotland and Wales, are obliged by law to have an EICR every five years.
If you are considering buying a property or if you are in the process of selling yours, then it is important to know how often an EICR has been done in order to understand its condition.
What Is Checked During an EICR?
During an EICR inspection, a qualified electrician or electrical engineer will inspect the electrical installations in your building, including breakers, switches, sockets and lighting circuits.
The electrical installation must be inspected for a number of things, including:
- Condition of the electrical installation
- Safety of the electrical installation
An EICR report can help identify problems within an existing electrical system, such as:
- A low resistance wire or cable with poor insulation that may lead to short circuits and overheating;
- A damaged or faulty fuses or circuit breakers that could cause them to trip unexpectedly;
- Insufficient power supplies to equipment such as lighting circuits where bulbs have blown out.
EICR certificate doesn't include appliances that aren't fixed electrical installations. So, cookers, hobs, fridges, and televisions aren't covered in the EICR. Most of the appliances are covered by a different certificate called PAT Test Certificate.
How Much Does an Electrical Inspection Cost?
Electrical Inspection Condition Reports are usually charged on a point basis. A point is an individual fault or defect that needs to be addressed, and the more points inspected, the higher the cost. This can vary depending on the size of the property and the type of inspection required (full or part).
Overall the electrical safety check prices and certificate costs are rather affordable. The amount you pay will depend on a variety of factors:
- The number of bedrooms and the size of your home.
- The size and complexity of your electrical circuit board.
- The level of qualifications and the hourly rate charged by your electrician.
- The accessibility of your electrics.
The EICR electrical safety check typically costs between £200 and £300. Contact Highlands for a free quote on your EICR certificate.
Who Can Issue an EICR Certificate?
An EICR is a Certificate of Inspection, and can only be issued by a qualified electrician who is registered with the NICEIC. Our team of NICEIC approved electricians is ready to deliver your EICR certificate in an affordable and timely manner.
Our engineer will carry out an inspection of your home's electrics and write up the report. They'll check things like:
- whether there are enough power points to meet demand in all rooms at once (in case there is more than one person using appliances)
- whether any cables are damaged or not correctly connected - if so, this could cause a fire risk
- how old any wiring is - if it’s older than 25 years then it may need replacing.
Get a Free Quote on an EICR Test From Us
An EICR is a legal requirement for all homes in the UK. It means that you can be sure that your electrical system is safe to use, and can help protect against any potential issues. If you want to find out more about getting an EICR certificate for your property, give us a call today at 01656 720 330 or submit your question on our Contact Us page.
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