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 electrical equipment in their rental properties inspected and tested. If landlords aren't compliant with these rules, then they can be fined up to £40,000 in England.

The price of an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is affordable. You should expect to pay about around £120 for an EICR in the UK.

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How Much Does an Electrical Safety Certificate Cost?

For an average-sized home, the cost of an Electrical Safety Certificate in the UK is typically between £80 and £150.

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.

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 Prices

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.

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.

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.

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Who Needs To Get an EICR?

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

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.

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. 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:

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 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 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 work is required.

Types of Electrical Safety Certificates

There are four kinds of Electrical Safety Reports or Certificates:

Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificates (MEIWC)

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)

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.

Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR)

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.

Part P Notification

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 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.

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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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 in 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.
• A 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 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). However, it's only a legal requirement if you live in a new build or a rented property — the latter being the landlord's 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, 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