Almost all electricians should be able to provide you with an electrical safety certificate to offer you peace of mind, no matter if you’re a homeowner or tenant. This guide covers everything you might need to know about them including the electrical safety certificate cost, process to obtain it and the different types of certificates you might need.
What is an electrical safety certificate?
An EICR is a detailed report on the condition of your residential or commercial building’s electrical systems and installation. The inspection allows you to know whether your infrastructure is capable of withstanding the stress of current electrical loads, usage, and safety standards.
It should be done every 3 to 5 years. The process is designed to ensure that your appliances, wiring, and fixtures are safe from any electrical hazards or defects.
All homeowners, including landlords, should understand the importance of an Electrical Safety Certificate. There are certified electricians in the UK who are able to legally issue them. The document states that the electrical appliances and connectors within the property concerned are functioning safely and are in a proper working condition.
How much does an electrical safety certificate cost?
Depending on the complexity of the job, there are other factors one would need to consider that can determine the price of the certificate. An Electrical Safety Certificate test can generally be completed within one day or less.
Average electrical safety certificate prices
The cost of obtaining an Electrical Safety Certificate in the UK ranges between £150 – £240 and this is for an average-sized home.
NOTE: These prices are exclusive of VAT. The table below details different scenarios and the associated estimates for electrical safety certificate cost. It can be used as a guideline to give you an idea of how the size of your property can affect your budget. We recommend that you get in touch with our team for a custom quotation.
| Property Size | Electrical Safety Certificate Cost |
| 1 Bedroom House | Starting from £150 |
| 2 Bedroom House | Starting from £160 |
| 3 Bedroom House | Starting from £180 |
| 4 Bedroom House | Starting from £210 |
| 5 Bedroom House | Starting from £240 |
Additional costs to consider
Though this can largely vary, a certified electrician could charge around £200 per day. Generally, an electrical safety inspection will take between 3 to 6 hours. Electrical safety inspections are included in the overall cost of many new tenant services. So you won’t have to pay for the labour fee for the whole day.
There may be other regulatory costs depending on where you stay. Depending on the type of electrical equipment fixed on your property, there may be specialised tests required to provide an Electrical Safety Certificate. Get in touch with your local electrician for a better understanding on this.
It is important to note that if you are a landlord with multiple properties, you may be eligible for discounts for block bookings on your EICRs. Do contact our team at Complete Connectrix Ltd for more details.
How long does an electrical safety certificate take?
The entire process of getting a electrical safety certificate is fairly simple. You can request for an electrician to visit your property first to provide you with a quotation. If you are happy with the price, you can coordinate a time and date for your Electrical Safety report testing to be carried out.
An EICR will typically take around 3-4 hours to complete. This would however depend on the size of a property and the number of circuits requiring testing.
It is always best to book your local electrician in advance so they will have enough time to plan their visit at a time that’s convenient for you. This will also ensure that you eliminate the possibility of affecting your working hours.
How can you get an electrical safety certificate?
It is important to note that as a homeowner or landlord, it is your responsibility to ensure that the electrical system is constructed in a way that prevents danger and is maintained properly. It is equally important to ensure that the electrical systems are maintained. This includes a fixed electrical inspection every five years.
Prior to requesting for an EICR, it is important that you address any issues that you may see as potential dangers. Though rewiring may incur an initial cost, it’s important that you look into it if you want to ensure your property passes the certification process, more specifically the British Standard BS 7671.
Once you’ve booked an appointment, the designated electrician will inspect, and test all plug sockets, light fittings and electrical appliances to check whether they are in full working order. They will test various potential safety risks and inspect any improper electrical connections and overloaded extension outlets.
These will also include fire alarms, any safety systems installed in the property to ensure they are in working conditions according to the regulations.
The electrician may also ask you certain questions about the inspection history records, may request for previous service reports and also ask if the appliances used are PAT tested.
Upon successfully inspecting the property, the electrician will summarise the findings in a written document classed as the Electrical Safety Certificate. It may also include recommendations and advisories for any work that needs to be done.
DIY electrical safety certificate
Though the UK law states that only certified electricians can issue an Electrical Safety Certificate, there are certain steps that you can personally take to ensure that your property is safe from any electrical hazards. For instance, this includes basic steps such as ensuring the switchboards are in working condition.
You can also maintain your electrical equipment by investing in quality, energy-efficient white goods and other appliances. Make sure you purchase equipment for well reputed brands and watch out for products that have home insurance and manufacturer warranties.
You must get your home or commercial property inspected and signed off by a licensed electrician. Please do not attempt to conduct any electrical wiring work yourself as a ‘DIY’ project.
Types of electrical safety certificate
As noted above, there are various types of certificates that electricians can issue and these include:
- Minor Electrical Works Installation Certificates
- Electrical Installation Certificates
- Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR)
- Part P Notification Reports.
In general, the two most common kinds of domestic electrical safety certificates are Electrical Installation and Electrical Conditions Reports (EICR). These reports are generally carried out upon re-wiring and electrical appliances to ensure that they are in safe, working condition.
What electrical safety certificates does a landlord need?
Though there are currently no laws in the UK that state the need for landlords to hold an Electrical Safety Certificate, you will need to in the case of multiple occupancies. It is also the landlord’s responsibility to ensure the safety of the tenants and that the electrical wiring is done in a proper manner. Having a Landlord’s Electrical Safety Certificate is a great way to maintain the standard of your property.
Do you need an electrical safety certificate to sell your home?
It’s not mandatory that you have an electrical safety certificate when you are planning on selling your home. There is no law in the UK that states you must submit the potential buyer with such a certificate though it does make the process of selling a lot easier.
Having a certificate helps give your buyer the reassurance that the property they are about to purchase is free from electrical faults making the economic value of your property higher too.
Hiring an electrician for electrical safety certificates checklist
As mentioned above, it’s important that you have the necessary electrical safety certificate for your property, especially if you’re a landlord with multiple properties. Below are some of the points you need to consider when choosing the right electrician to get the certificate.
- Working Location: It’s always a good idea to look for an electrician that serves your area as they are likely to be easily accessible and have better knowledge of the local regulations. At Complete Connectrix Ltd, our working locations range across Somerset and neighbouring areas.
- Certifications: To be able to issue certifications, the electrical company must have the necessary accreditations and be eligible to do so. At Complete Connectrix Ltd, we are endorsed by Trustmark to prove that our EICR electricians operate at Government-backed standards.
- Follow Local Regulations: There are certain local regulations that you may have to follow when inspecting the properties. Given that Complete Connectrix Ltd has been operating in Somerset for more than 10 years, we are confident of ensuring that we meet all the regulations in all our projects.
Final thoughts
As a tenant or landlord, it’s important that you consider the above factors when making your decision to obtain an EICR. Electrical Safety Certificate cost can vary as identified above and this is mainly determined by your property size.
If you would like to explore the options or request a free quote, then please contact our electrical safety certificate specialists at Complete Connectrix Ltd today!
