How much does an EICR cost?

An EICR is an Electrical Installation Condition Report. An electrician inspects and tests the fixed electrical installation in your property, then records its condition and any faults or risks. The result is a condition report that grades anything found, so you know what is safe and what needs attention.

Because the work is inspection and testing rather than a fixed product, the time involved changes from one property to the next. Time is the biggest driver of the final cost.

Several practical things affect what you are quoted:

Number of circuits: every circuit needs testing, so a property with many circuits takes longer than a small flat with a few.

Property size: more rooms, sockets, lights and fittings mean more points to check.

Age and condition: larger or older properties often have extra wiring, older consumer units or alterations made over the years. These take longer to trace and test.

Access: furniture in the way, locked rooms, loft spaces, outbuildings, garages or a consumer unit that is hard to reach all add time.

Occupancy: tenants or other people in the property can complicate arranging access, which may affect scheduling and the quote.

Different electricians quote in different ways. Some give a fixed price for the inspection after asking about the property. Others work from an hourly rate, and some add a callout fee or charge by the number of circuits. None of these is automatically better, but you should know which one you are being offered.

Ask whether the quote covers the full inspection and testing, the written report and any travel or parking costs. Ask whether the price is fixed or could change on the day. If the quote depends on information you gave, such as the number of bedrooms or whether there is an outbuilding, check that it is written down. Time of day can also matter, as evening or weekend appointments may be priced differently from standard working hours.

The cost of the EICR itself is for the inspection and the report. If the report finds something potentially dangerous or otherwise needing action, fixing it is remedial work, and it is normally priced separately. That might be a faulty circuit, missing protection or an outdated consumer unit.

A sensible electrician will explain what the report found, which items are urgent and which are advisory, and then quote for any electrical work separately so you can compare and decide. Be wary of any quote that bundles unspecified repairs into the inspection price.

Many homeowners have an EICR when buying, selling or after major electrical work. For rented homes, the rules generally expect a report at least every five years, and landlords must act on the findings. Rules can change, so check GOV.UK for the current position and your own responsibilities.

When comparing quotes, a very low price can mean a rushed inspection or a thin report. Ask whether the electrician is registered with a recognised competent person scheme and is experienced in inspection and testing, and ask to see proof. The point of an EICR is electrical safety, so a thorough inspection is worth more than a quick one.