Bromley Electrical ServicesBromley
EICR for Buying or Selling Bromley BR1
An EICR for buying or selling is an electrical installation condition report on a home or building that is about to change hands.
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Electrical checks when a property changes hands
Bromley Electrical Services covers Bromley, Beckenham, Orpington, Chislehurst and Petts Wood. This page explains what the inspection involves and when it makes sense to book.
What happens, step by step
A typical EICR for a property sale or purchase runs along these lines.
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Enquiry | You send the enquiry form with the property type, size and where you are in the sale or purchase. |
| Arranging access | A suitable visit is agreed, including how to reach the consumer unit and any areas that are tenanted or locked. |
| Inspection and testing | The electrician inspects the fixed electrical installation and tests the circuits, with the power switched off for parts of it. |
| Recording findings | The condition of each circuit is recorded and any observations are coded by urgency. |
| Report issued | You receive the electrical installation condition report with its overall outcome. |
| Next steps | If remedial work is recommended, it is discussed and priced separately from the EICR. |
Every property is different, so the exact process can vary.
What an EICR for buying or selling involves
An electrical installation condition report (EICR) is a formal inspection and set of electrical tests on the fixed electrical installation in a property. A qualified electrician looks at the consumer unit, wiring, sockets, switches, lighting circuits, and earthing and bonding. They record the condition of each circuit tested.
The result is a condition report with an overall outcome of satisfactory or unsatisfactory. Any observations are coded by how urgent they are. It is not a test of your plug-in appliances, and it is more thorough than a quick visual look at the fuse board.
The number of circuits, the size of the property and how easy it is to reach the wiring all shape how much testing is needed.
When to book an EICR for a sale or purchase
If you are selling, it helps to book before the property goes on the market. You then know the condition of the installation, and you have time to deal with any issues instead of facing a rushed renegotiation.
If you are buying, the best moment is usually after your offer is accepted and before you exchange. It is worth asking for one if the survey mentions old wiring, an outdated consumer unit, mixed cable types, or damaged sockets and switches.
An EICR is not generally a legal requirement just to sell a home, but buyers, solicitors and lenders may ask to see one. Rules for rented properties are different. Landlords of private rented homes have their own obligations around electrical inspection, and the rules can change, so check GOV.UK for the current position. Our Landlord EICR service covers that side, and Commercial EICR covers shops, offices and other commercial premises.
What affects the cost, and what is separate
The price of an EICR depends on the size and type of property, the number of circuits, the number of consumer units, how accessible the wiring is, and the age and condition of the installation. Commercial properties and larger homes generally need more inspection and testing than a small flat.
The cost of the EICR covers the inspection, testing and the report. It does not include any follow-up work. If the report finds faults or recommends improvements, such as repairs or a consumer unit upgrade, that work is separate and should be priced on its own once you have seen the findings. Ask for any remedial work to be set out in writing so you can compare it and decide what to do.
Booking an EICR in Bromley and nearby
Bromley Electrical Services serves Bromley, Beckenham, Orpington, Chislehurst and Petts Wood. To book an EICR, use the enquiry form on this page.
Tell us the type of property, roughly how large it is, whether it is occupied, and where you are in the sale or purchase. That helps with planning the inspection. Always make sure whoever carries out electrical testing is a qualified electrician, and you can ask what they are qualified to do.
Questions about this
Do all rented properties need an EICR?
Landlords of private rented homes generally have to make sure the electrical installation is inspected and tested at regular intervals by a competent person. The details and any exceptions can change, so check GOV.UK for the current rules.
Where can I get a free electrical safety check?
An EICR is a full inspection and testing job, so it is not normally free. Some energy suppliers, housing providers, councils or charities offer basic checks to certain households. Ask them directly, and check GOV.UK for support schemes.
How long does it take to complete an EICR test?
It depends on the size of the property and the number of circuits. A small flat takes less time than a large house or commercial premises. Parts of the installation need the power off while testing is done, so tell the electrician about any equipment that must stay on.
How much does an EICR cert cost?
The price depends on the property size, number of circuits, consumer units and how accessible the wiring is. Any repair or upgrade work found by the report is a separate cost. Send an enquiry with your property details to get a price for your situation.
What you get
Clear scope
The report covers the fixed electrical installation, including the consumer unit, wiring and circuits, so everyone knows what was inspected.
Useful to buyers and sellers
Sellers can find problems before a buyer does. Buyers get a clearer picture of the property before they commit.
Findings you can act on
A good condition report grades each observation by urgency, so you can decide what needs doing now and what can wait.