The Electrical Condition Report, or EICR for short, is a report that details the age and condition of electrical infrastructure within a home, business or other property. The aim of the report is to record any potential hazards as well as anything that may cause injury or death.
It is recommended that home owners have an Electrical Condition Report carried out every ten years, while people renting a home should have one carried out every five years. If you are living in a caravan, your electrics should be inspected every three years. Other times an EICR should be carried out is when a property is being prepared for letting or when a property is being sold.
Periodic Inspections
The Electrical Condition Report itself is issued after a ‘periodic inspection’ has been performed. This inspection should only be carried out by electrically competent persons, such as registered electricians. A periodic electrical inspection is the service you need if you want an EICR. IF you have recently moved into a new property and you are unsure about its electrical safety, it is a good idea to have an inspection performed prior to moving in or as soon as possible afterwards.
Related: What is an Energy Performance Certificate?
Types of check
When performing a periodic inspection with a view to issuing an EICR, a registered electrician will check all of the electrical systems in the home to ensure they are fit for purpose. They will perform checks on earthing and bonding, switchgear and controlgear, wall sockets and light switches, identification and notices and wear and tear and deterioration. The person carrying out the inspection will also look for any changes in property use that may have led to or may lead to unsafe conditions, as well as any changes to core wiring and cabling systems.
How much does an EICR cost?
Registered electricians set their own rate for carrying out an Electrical Condition Report, however as a general rule, you are looking at a minimum of £100 and a maximum of £350. The amount you will pay for your Report depends largely on the size of your property and the extent of its electrical installation. The more time it takes a competent person to perform all necessary checks, the more money you can expect to pay. For a 2-bed end of terrace house, you are looking at around £150 while for a 4-bed detached cottage you are looking at around £300.
