How much does an EICR cost?

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) usually costs £80–£350 for a rented home. Most 2–3 bedroom properties come in at around £120–£250. The price mainly depends on how many circuits the electrician has to test, which roughly follows the number of bedrooms.

Typical EICR prices by property size

These are typical ranges from UK price guides and quote platforms, not quotes. London and the South East are usually at the top of the range.

What affects the price

• Number of circuits and consumer units. More circuits means more testing time. A large house with two consumer units can take most of a day.
• Age and condition of the wiring. Older installations take longer to inspect and are more likely to need further investigation.
• Access. Fuse boards behind fitted furniture, or flats where the tenant can’t be there to let the electrician in, add time.
• Location. Labour rates are higher in London and the South East.
• Remedial work. The EICR price covers the inspection only. Fixing any problems it finds is charged separately.

Some electricians offer a lower headline price and then charge for each circuit above a set number. When you compare quotes, ask what’s included.

How often a landlord needs an EICR

In England, councils can also ask for a copy, and you have 7 days to provide it.

What happens if the report finds problems

The electrician will mark each problem with a code:

• C1 – danger present, needs immediate action.
• C2 – potentially dangerous, needs urgent action.
• FI – further investigation needed without delay.
• C3 – improvement recommended. It doesn’t make the report fail.

Any C1, C2 or FI makes the report unsatisfactory. In England you then have 28 days (or less if the report says so) to get the work done. You then send written confirmation from the electrician to the tenant and the council within 28 days of the work being completed. See our guide to EICR codes C1, C2 and C3 for more detail.

Many electricians fix small C1 problems, such as a broken socket, on the spot. Bigger jobs like a new consumer unit can cost several hundred pounds more, so get a separate quote for those.

Penalties for not having an EICR

In England, councils can impose a civil penalty of up to £30,000 for each breach. They can also arrange the remedial work themselves and recover the cost from you. In Wales, a home without a valid EICR is treated as unfit for human habitation. In Scotland, tenants or the council can apply to the First-tier Tribunal to enforce the Repairing Standard.

Who can do an EICR

The inspection must be done by a qualified and competent person. In practice that means an electrician registered with a competent person scheme such as NICEIC or NAPIT, who carries out inspections to BS 7671. Ask to see their registration and insurance before you book.

Ways to keep the cost down

• Book with other jobs. Some firms discount EICRs booked with a gas safety check, or for several properties at once.
• Get two or three quotes and check what each one includes (number of circuits, remedial work, re-test fee).
• Plan ahead. Booking in the weeks before the deadline avoids paying for urgent call-outs.
• Set a reminder for the next one. Use our free certificate reminders so your 5-year date doesn’t sneak up on you.