EICR Certificate Cost

Looking to learn about the cost of an electric safety certificate?

An electrical safety certificate is an electrical report that homeowners might get for their peace of mind, but it's also valuable if you're considering putting your house on the market — as it confirms your home's electricals are working as they should be.

However, it's a legal requirement for landlords in the UK to regularly get the electricals in their rental properties inspected and tested. If landlords aren't compliant with these rules, then they can be fined up to £30,000.

In either case, the price of an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is affordable. Although it depends on a few key things, you should expect to pay about around £120 for an EICR in the UK.

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This guide covers everything you might need to know about the costs of an EICR certificate (including what impacts the price), more about why you might need an EICR, what's involved in EICR testing, FAQs, and more.

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How Much Does an Electrical Safety Certificate Cost?

For an average-sized home, the cost of acquiring an Electrical Safety Certificate in the UK is typically between £80 and £150 and will take between 2 and 4 hours to complete.

The price is heavily dependent on the electrician's cost per hour. This means that the EICR cost for a 3 bedroom house will be more expensive than a 1 bedroom house - just because there's more for them to test.

The cost of an EICR report tends to include an electrician's time, the testing of all electrical points, sockets, fixings, appliances and consumer units (e.g. fuse boards). There should not be any additional charges for providing a written summary - as this is part of the report.

It is always advisable to clarify what's included when getting a fixed-cost quote from anyone.

Electrical Safety Certificate Prices

The table below provides an average cost range that you should expect an electrician to charge for an EICR report, depending on the approximate size of the property.

These are estimated prices based on a typical home. If you think your house is a bit unique, then you might find be quoted a higher or lower EICR cost than this.

Labour Costs and Timescales

An electrician usually charges around £200 per day.

You'll typically find that the electrical inspection cost you're quoted includes the electrician's cost-per-hour rate - but it's always good to check that.

Generally, an electrical safety check will take between 2 to 4 hours. But how long it takes to do an EICR test and issue a certificate depends on how large the property is and if there are any complications along the way.

But unless you're looking to get an EICR test conducted on a particularly large property or have an unusually complex electrical circuit board, the electrician you hire should normally complete the job within one day or less.

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Who Needs To Get an EICR Report?

The Electrical Safety report will identify any hazards or concerns with the status of all electrical circuits and appliances.

It is not currently a legal requirement for homeowners. However, landlords in the UK are obliged to have consistent EICR tests performed in a property they're renting out and keep an up-to-date Electrical Certificate.

Tenanted properties should be regularly inspected, having an electrical safety report carried out at least once every five years. These reports are also commonly carried out upon re-wiring.

When hiring a certified tradesperson to carry out an Electrical Safety report, they will inspect all electrical circuits on the property.

Only certified electricians can legally issue an Electrical Safety Certificate, which documents that all electrical appliances and connectors within a property are in safe working condition.

The UK government are trying to stress the importance of ensuring the safety of others and educate people of the preventative value of PAT, (Portable Appliance Testing) and electrical products in all homes.

What Does an Electricity Safety Check Involve?

It is relatively straightforward to request an Electrical Safety Certificate, and for an average sized property, the process generally takes no more than 2 to 4 hours to complete (although this can vary between jobs).

However, it's important to note that by UK law, EICR certificates are only able to be carried out and issued by a certified electrician. With the help of MyJobQuote, you can find local electricians to carry out the testing on your behalf. It is recommended to request at least three separate quotes, which you can do so without any further commitment.

Below is a step-by-step guide as to what you can expect to happen:

Before the Job

• Preparation — Initially, your electrician may ask questions such as when the last EICR test was performed, how many appliances have been PAT tested, and what work has been carried out since any previous EICR tests (providing service reports can also help).

During the Job

• Testing Electrical Systems — Providing you have hired a fully qualified electrician, they will test all plug sockets, light fittings, and electrical appliances to ensure they are in full working order.
• Identifying Risks — If there are any potential safety hazards, such as faulty appliances, improper connections, or you are overloading an extension outlet, these will be noted with recommendations on how to resolve.
• Checking Circuits and Appliances — The bonding of circuits and appliances, along with any other electrical items provided for testing, are then checked to advise if they meet appropriate safety standards.
• Testing Fire Safety Devices — Fire alarms and other devices, such as security systems, can also be tested as part of the process to confirm they are operating correctly.

After the Job

• Findings Report — Following inspection, you will receive a detailed report, serving as your Electrical Safety Certificate. This should include an itemised breakdown per item and, in some cases, you may have any equipment that's been tested labeled as a pass or fail.
• Follow-up Action — Any repairs carried out during the testing process should also be noted, and the report will also detail the condition of your electrical appliances along with advise in the event further work is required.

Types of Electrical Safety Certificates

There are four kinds of Electrical Safety Reports or Certificates:

Minor Electrical Works Installation Certificates

On average, the cost of a minor electrical installation certificate in the UK starts at around £60.

This is similar to having an Electrical Installation Certificate, however, as the name suggests they are generally issued for smaller installations. This also means the work they cover will differ slightly, for example, this might include the addition of plug sockets and light switches in a domestic dwelling.

Electrical Installation Certificates

Electrical Installation Certificates (EICs) can only be issued by a qualified, Part P registered electrician. Major electrical installations, such as a new consumer unit, require an Electrical Installation Certificate.

Electrical Installation Condition Reports

For rental properties in the UK, it is a legal requirement for landlords to obtain an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) at least every five years. This report must also be issued by a qualified electrician, as it can identify any safety hazards and confirms the condition of the electrical system. Private homeowners can also obtain an EICR if they wish, albeit for personal preference rather than a legal obligation.

Part P Notification Reports

A Part P Notification is a building regulation that's in place to ensure the safety of homeowners and tenants when having any work carried out. The regulation states that notification should be given, along with full plans to a building control body of any upcoming additions of one or more electrical circuits in dwellings and associated buildings.

In some cases, the submission of change to a building control authority may result in incurring additional fees, which can vary depending on your local council. However, notification costs are estimated on average to range between £250 and £400, depending on the complexity of the electrical work. If you are having any electrical work done, it's always worth checking with your local council if a Part P Notification is required.

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PAT Testing Cost

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is a process where electrical appliances are examined to ensure they are safe to use and is typically required for businesses and landlords to establish the safety of any used appliances.

However, PAT testing can also be performed domestically by anyone confident inspecting their own appliances at home, although there is no legal requirement.

If you have had any of your electrical goods professionally checked, then here is a breakdown of what you can expect once the testing has been completed:

• A collection of assessment findings for each appliance tested
• A record comprising each appliance’s name, type, description and location
• An inventory of all failed appliances with an account of why they failed
• An observable pass or fail sticker on each appliance specifying the inspection date, when the next test is due and the examiner’s signature

PAT testing costs for the first 15 to 30 items is usually around £30 to £60. If there are additional items beyond the agreed number of appliances, then you will likely be charged for each item individually, usually between £0.75 and £2 per item).

What Other Safety Features Can Electricians Install?

If you're having your property checked for electrical efficiency, it can be a good idea to add some more safety features to your home while your electrician is on-site. This can save you from multiple call-out fees, while ensuring your property is as well protected as it can be.

Fire Alarm Costs

The cost to install a fire alarm is around £100, taking between 1 to 2 hours to fit and test accordingly, depending on the type of alarm you choose and the ease of access.

It is strongly recommended to install a fire alarm in your home and to regularly test and swap the batteries (even if you have an electric alarm, they usually include a battery as a back-up in the event of a power cut). However, it is only a legal requirement if you live in a new build or a rented property — the latter being the landlords responsibility.

Home Security Costs

There are so many home security products on the market - from doorbells to motion-activated lights and CCTV systems.

An electrician can fit any number of these for you, with the cost to install CCTV starting at £350 depending on camera type and how many you want installed.

Security lights cost £80 to £180 for floodlights, and between £90 to £500 for outdoor lights with motion sensors.

If you want an alarm to protect your property, the cost to install a burglar alarm is typically £450, with higher prices for alarms with live playback and relay options.

Smart Home Costs

Controlling your home's lights remotely helps to give the illusion of someone being home even when they're not, helping to deter unwanted intruders.

The cost to install smart home lighting ranges from £60 to £150 for a smart home hub, £65 to £110 for motion sensor lights, and the cost to set up your entire property with smart features starts at £3,200.

Checklist: Hiring an Electrical Safety Certificate Provider

Before hiring someone to carry out an Electrical Safety report at your property, below are some points you should consider:

• Have you compared multiple quotes? Rather than hiring the first person or business that you contact, with MyJobQuote you can find suitable tradesmen and request quotes from several options so you can compare prices, without any obligation.
• Are you hiring a qualified electrician? Check for confirmation that they are a fully qualified electrician and also definitely authorised to issue an Electrical Safety Report.
• Do they have positive reviews and feedback? Along with asking friends and family for any recommendations, you can check websites such as MyJobQuote for a profile on their work and any comments from previous clients.
• Does your tradesperson have insurance? Although it's not a legal requirement, any reputable tradesmen should at least have public liability insurance, this is in the event of any unexpected accidents, injuries or damage to your home.
• Do you have a written agreement in place? Once you have agreed for someone to carry out the work, ensure you have received a clear outline of what services are included within the charge.
• Will you receive confirmation of the EICR certificate? As well as a receipt upon payment, you should also have written evidence that the job has been carried out - this will also indicate any recommendations if additional work is required.

FAQs

Sources

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector-guidance-for-landlords-tenants-and-local-authorities/guide-for-landlords-electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector-guidance-for-landlords-tenants-and-local-authorities/guide-for-tenants-electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector
https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/find-an-electrician/building-regulations/england/
https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guidance/your-questions-answered/questions/is-it-a-legal-requirement-to-have-an-eicr-carried-out-in-order-to-sell-my-house/
https://niceic.com/householders/
https://www.nrla.org.uk/resources/looking-after-your-property/electrical-safety-inspections