EICR Certificate Cost

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

You might also see an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) referred to as an electrical inspection, electrical safety certificate, electrical safety check, electrical report, or fixed wire testing. These all describe the same process.

The cost of an electrical inspection in the UK is typically between £150 and £250 for a standard home, increasing for larger properties or more complex systems. Most homeowners should expect to pay around £180 for an EICR in the UK.

Homeowners may get one 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 electrical equipment in their rental properties inspected and tested. If landlords don't have a valid EICR for their properties, then they can be fined up to £40,000 in England.

How Much Is an EICR?

For an average-sized home, the cost of an Electrical Safety Certificate in the UK is typically between £150 and £250.

Typically, it will take between 2 and 4 hours to complete.

The price is 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 electrical testing to carry out.

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The cost of an EICR tends to include:

• The electrician's time.
• Testing of all electrical points, sockets, fixings, appliances, and consumer units (e.g., fuse boards).
• Issuing of the EICR.

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

Electrical Safety Certificate Price List

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

The electrical installation condition report price also depends on the number of circuits and the complexity of the electrical system, not just the number of bedrooms and overall property size.

Some electricians will price the job per circuit instead of by property size, often at around £10 to £30 per circuit. There is usually a minimum charge for smaller jobs. This is why a home with more circuits will cost more to test, even if it has fewer bedrooms.

Calculate Your EICR Cost

You can get a more accurate estimate for your specific job by using our free EICR certificate cost calculator.

Just tell us a bit about your property and we'll give you a tailored estimate that you can then use as a baseline when comparing quotes from local electricians.

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EICR Electrician Costs and Timescales

An electrician usually charges around £300 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.

How long does an EICR take?

Generally, an electrical safety check will take between 2 to 4 hours.

How long it takes to do an EICR test and issue a certificate depends on property size, and if any complications are found along the way.

EICR Certificate Cost in London

To get an electrical safety certificate in London, you can expect to pay more than elsewhere in the UK due to increased labour rates.

Expect to pay between £200 and £400 for an EICR certificate in London, depending on the size of the property and complexity of the installation. Larger or more complex properties in London may cost £500+.

EICR Certificate Cost in Scotland

EICR costs in Scotland are broadly in line with the rest of the UK, rather than higher like London. For a standard home, you can expect to pay around £150 to £250, depending on the size of the property and the number of circuits.

Scotland was the first part of the UK to make regular checks a legal requirement for landlords. Since 1 December 2015, private landlords in Scotland must have the electrical installation inspected and tested at least every 5 years, under the Repairing Standard in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006.

As in the rest of the UK, an EICR is not a legal requirement for homeowners in Scotland, though it is still recommended around every 10 years.

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What Affects the Cost of an EICR?

Property size is the biggest cost driver, but prices can also vary depending on:

• Wiring Condition — Older or more complex wiring or outdated fuse boxes can be more difficult to work with, increasing the cost of an EICR.
• Access — Difficulty accessing the wiring or certain areas of the home can push costs up.
• Electrician — An electrician with more experience may charge higher rates than a newly-qualified one.
• Location — As with many services, labour rates are often higher in London and the South East, so homeowners in these areas may pay more.
• Remedial Work — Additional work required to address any issues found during the EICR inspection can increase the overall cost significantly if major problems are found.

Who Needs To Get an EICR?

Landlords are legally required to have EICRs issued for any property they're renting out to prove the property's electrical safety. These must be renewed at least every 5 years (or sooner if advised), and they must keep an up-to-date Electrical Certificate.

Proof of a valid EICR is often required when applying for landlord insurance.

EICRs are not currently a legal requirement for homeowners.

How long does an Electrical Safety Certificate last for?

• Tenanted Properties — An electrical safety report should be carried out at least once every 5 years, required by UK law.
• Private Properties — It's recommended to have an EICR every 10 years, or sooner if required.

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

Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate Cost

A landlord's electrical certificate costs the same as one for a homeowner would in the same property.

The cost of a landlord electrical safety certificate is typically between £150 and £250, depending on the size of the property and number of circuits.

Larger rental properties, houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), or older installations may cost more due to the additional testing required.

Electrical Risks in Older Properties

By nature, older properties carry a higher risk of potential hazards, especially if they have outdated wiring and old consumer units (fuse boxes). In some cases, a new fuse box may be required, which comes at an additional cost.

Here are some scenarios where an EICR inspection is highly recommended.

If You're Buying an Old Property

When you view a property, it's not always immediately obvious if there are electrical issues or anything that may increase the likelihood of electrical fires.

Having an EICR carried out can help to highlight these hidden electrical hazards, such as:

• Deteriorated cables
• Overloaded circuits
• Old consumer units
• Non-compliant electrical installations

Armed with this knowledge, you can negotiate the property's price to get the necessary electrical work carried out.

If You Live in an Old Property

If you've not had your home's electrics looked at in over 10 years, it's a good idea to have an electrician round to inspect them, especially if you're noticing any of the following:

• Flickering lights
• Frequent tripping
• Buzzing sockets

These can be warning signs that something's not quite right with your home's electrics.

What Does an Electricity Safety Check Involve?

EICR certificates must be carried out by a qualified 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 without any further commitment.

Below is a step-by-step guide as to what you can expect to happen during the inspection of your fixed electrical installations:

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

• Visual Inspection and Testing of Electrical Systems — Providing you have hired a fully qualified electrician, they will inspect and test your plug sockets, light fittings, and fixed wiring to check they are safe and in good condition.
• Identifying Risks — If there are any potential safety hazards, such as faulty appliances, improper connections, or if 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, is 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 labelled 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 advice in the event further investigation work is required.

Types of Electrical Safety Certificates

There are four kinds of Electrical Safety Reports or Certificates:

Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificates (MEIWC) Cost

What Is It? MEIWCs are issued for small electrical jobs (e.g., replacing sockets, adding new light fittings). They confirm that the work complies with current UK wiring regulations (BS 7671).

Who Needs It? Landlords or private homeowners who have had minor electrical alterations should receive this to prove the work is safe and compliant.

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

Electrical Installation Certificates (EICs) Cost

What Is It? EICs are issued after major electrical installations (e.g., new consumer unit installations, rewiring a property) to confirm the work complies with current UK wiring regulations (BS 7671).

Who Needs It? Anyone who has had significant electrical work done to prove the work has been carried out legally.

EICR Report Cost

What Is It? EICRs are issued following periodic inspections of existing electrical installations (e.g., existing wiring, consumer units).

Who Needs It? For rental properties in the UK, it's a legal requirement for landlords to obtain an EICR at least every 5 years. Private homeowners can also get EICRs, but they aren't a legal requirement.

How much is an EICR report? The cost of an EICR in the UK typically ranges from £150 to £250 for a standard home, increasing for larger properties or more complex systems. Most homeowners should expect to pay about £180 for an EICR in the UK.

Part P Notification Cost

What Is It? A Part P Notification relates to Building Regulations in place in England and Wales to ensure the safety of homeowners and tenants when having electrical work carried out. The regulation states that adding one or more new electrical circuits in dwellings and associated buildings must either be notified to a building control body or be carried out by a registered electrician who can self-certify the work.

Who Needs It? If you're having any electrical work done, it's always worth checking with your local council if a Part P Notification is required.

Notification costs are estimated on average to range between £250 and £400, depending on the complexity of the electrical work.

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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 and 2 hours to fit and test, depending on the type of alarm you choose and the ease of access.

It's 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 backup in the event of a power cut). In England, it is only a legal requirement if you live in a new build or a rented property (the latter being the landlord's responsibility). In Scotland, all homes must have interlinked fire alarms, whatever their age and whether or not they are rented.

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, and the cost to set up your entire property with smart features starts at £3,200.

Checklist: Hiring a Local EICR Electrician

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.

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