Do you want to know how much an EICR costs? Read our article for additional information on EICR, which covers all you need to know about what an EICR certificate entails, the various sorts of certificates, the methods involved in obtaining them, and how much they cost.
How Much Does an EICR Cost?
An EICR starts at £125 for a one-bedroom flat and may cost up to £300 or more for a five-bedroom detached property.
What does the cost of an EICR include?
The cost of hiring a skilled electrician to do inspections on all electricals in your property, which will be included in the report, is included in the aforementioned EICR quotation.
If everything is in good working order and in accordance with electrical standards, you will be given a certificate to keep.
Breakdown of EICR cost
The following is a breakdown of the EICR cost for various house sizes:
| TYPE OF PROPERTY | AVERAGE COST |
| 1 Bedroom Flat | £120 – £150 |
| 2 Bedroom Flat | £130 – £160 |
| 2 Bedroom House | £170 – £190 |
| 3 Bedroom House | £190 – £230 |
| 4 Bedroom House | £230 – £280 |
| 5 Bedroom House | £300+ |
Additionally, there will be costs that are incurred for various other checks which will depend on individual cases:
| JOB DESCRIPTION | AVERAGE COST |
| PAT Testing | £1 – £2 per electrical item |
| Part P Notification Local Council | £200 – £300 |
| House Rewiring | £1,900-£6,500 |
| Fusebox Replacement | £375-£500 |
| Plug Socket Replacement | £140-£340 |
| Light Switch Replacement | £75-£150 |
Labour cost for obtaining an EICR
Let’s look at the labor expenses and timelines for obtaining an EICR.
You must employ a qualified electrician in order to obtain a legally-compliant certificate. This is a mandatory requirement and for 2 to 4 hours of labour, you could expect to spend roughly £125 to £300 each day.
The price may increase for larger houses and may take up to a full day, especially in older properties with obsolete wiring that may necessitate more examinations.
Obtaining an EICR as a landlord
It is your responsibility as a landlord to ensure that the sockets, light switches, wiring, and consumer board are safe. The Electrical Safety Council also recommended that electrical systems be inspected every 5 years or if there is a change in renters (whichever is sooner).
A landlord EICR is a report that is sometimes referred to as a certificate.
Depending on the size and quality of the wiring, the normal EICR cost for landlords ranges from £100 to £230 for an apartment and £150 to £300+ for a home.
Reports conducted in older homes may be more expensive, especially if they have dated wiring, which can generate a large number of defects and prolong the procedure.
These rates are based on residences with a 10-circuit or fewer fuse board, which is common in residential buildings.
What does the EICR include?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a vital part of the sale or purchase of any property. It can help you identify any electrical safety issues, and it will give you peace of mind that the work has been done correctly by a qualified professional.
Here’s what the process of obtaining an EICR entails:
- Examining the state of the earthing and bonding.
- Testing the fuse board or consumer unit to see whether it needs to be replaced.
- Checking arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) to ensure they are operational.
- Examine light fixtures to verify they are safe and functional.
- Checking the wire type, as any old wiring, such as lead, fabric, and black-rubber, must be replaced with PVC insulation.
- Testing wall outlets and switches to ensure they are working correctly and there is no danger of electrocution or shock.
- Experimenting with extension leads for outdoor electrical devices.
- Identifying any wear, tear, or damage on any installations around the house to avoid future problems.
- Look for any apparent changes in the use of the premises that require modifications.
- Make a final report on whether the electrical installations are satisfactory (no work required) or unsatisfactory (work required for the home to be judged safe).
Process of obtaining an EICR yourself
Unlike the EICR, an electrician cannot perform an EICR. The EICR is only issued by legally appointed professionals who are registered with a competent person scheme.
This means that you must hire a qualified electrician to do your inspection and then self-certify their work.
Regulations relating obtaining an EICR
Before you begin, it is important that your landlord has electrical safety planning permission. This means they have obtained the necessary permits required by local councils to ensure their properties meet building regulations and health and safety standards.
It’s a legal requirement for landlords who own properties across England and Wales, but some may not realize this at first glance, so make sure to double check with them. Additionally, electrical tests must be performed every 5 years, although it is advised that a certified electrician test all electrical systems and produce a report every time a new tenant rents the property.
These inspections are performed on a regular basis to ensure that upgrades or replacements are done within a 5-year timeframe. If improvements are not completed, landlords may face fines of up to £30,000 and have their property insurance terminated, depending on the amount of the problems or damage.
This protects both landlords and renters in the case of a fire or disaster, as regular electrical checks guarantee that all installations match the required requirements.
The regulation also says that when a new installation or repair is made, an electrical installation condition report must be completed within 5 days of the alterations. A buildings regulation compliance certificate should be issued within 30 days of the report date, and another copy should be given to the building control agency.
EICR must be conducted by competent authorities
If the EICR is not carried out by competent authorities, a third party will be required to inspect the job. If this is not practicable, a building control authority must be notified.
They will next check and test the freshly completed work, or pay someone to do so for them, as well as prepare an electrical safety report.
They will then designate a qualified individual to do the project, and once completed, the homeowner will be given a building regulations completion certificate.
Benefits of obtaining an EICR
Here are some of the benefits you may enjoy when you have an EICR:
- Your own protection under the law, especially if you are a landlord. If you rent your property, it is important to ensure that your tenants do not suffer from any safety issues with their electrical equipment.
- By having an EICR, you can be sure that any illegal wiring or other hazards have been fixed and addressed. You can also use this certificate as evidence in case there is ever a dispute over whether or not your tenant was responsible for maintaining their electrical appliances.
- You can also save money by obtaining a certificate. This is due to the fact that landlords who do not have an Electrical Installation Certificate may face fines of up to £30,000 or more.
- When a new tenant moves in, it is also a good idea to engage an electrician to examine the electrical safety. This will keep you from having to pay for fire damage or tenant incidents involving electric shocks.
Finding a qualified electrician to get an EICR
In the guide above, we identified the importance and benefits of obtaining an EICR. This is especially the case if you are a landlord.
It was also noted that the EICR can only be issued by registered authorities, failing which, you will need a 3rd party to verify the documents. If you are looking for a competent electrician to provide an EICR, you can get in touch with our team at Complete Connectrix Ltd.
We will provide you with a breakdown of the EICR cost which can vary based on individual requirements.
