An EICR is not a document to arrange at the last minute, particularly when a new tenancy, property sale or commercial audit is approaching. Knowing how to book an EICR properly helps you avoid rushed decisions, incomplete testing and unexpected delays. The process is straightforward when you choose a competent electrician, provide the right property information and allow enough time for a thorough inspection.
For landlords, homeowners, managing agents and business owners across London and Kent, an Electrical Installation Condition Report gives a clear picture of whether the fixed electrical installation is safe for continued use. It is a practical safety check on the wiring and equipment that power your property every day.
What an EICR covers
An EICR assesses the condition of the fixed electrical installation. This includes consumer units, circuits, protective devices, earthing and bonding, sockets, lighting circuits, switches and fixed electrical accessories. It does not normally cover portable appliances such as kettles, computers or extension leads - those may require PAT testing where appropriate.
During the inspection, the electrician will carry out visual checks and electrical tests to identify deterioration, defects, overloaded circuits, inadequate protection or work that does not meet the required safety standard. Some circuits may need to be temporarily switched off while testing takes place, so arranging suitable access and planning around business operations matters.
The report will record observations using classification codes. A C1 indicates danger is present and urgent action is required. A C2 means potentially dangerous conditions need remedial work. FI means further investigation is required without delay. A report with any of these observations will be recorded as unsatisfactory until the relevant issues have been addressed. C3 observations are recommendations for improvement and do not, on their own, make a report unsatisfactory.
When should you arrange an EICR?
Private landlords in England must have the electrical installation in their rented properties inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified person. They must also provide tenants with a copy of the report within the required timescales and supply it to the local authority if requested. A report may recommend a shorter inspection interval, which should always be followed.
For commercial premises, the appropriate interval depends on the type of property, its use and the environment. Offices are commonly tested at five-year intervals, while shops, industrial settings, communal areas and higher-risk environments may need more frequent inspection. A competent electrician can advise on a suitable testing frequency once the installation has been assessed.
Homeowners are not generally subject to the same five-year legal requirement as landlords, but an EICR remains sensible when buying an older property, before major renovation work, after flood or fire damage, or where there are signs of electrical problems. Repeated tripping, discoloured sockets, burning smells and electric shocks all call for prompt professional attention rather than waiting for a routine report.
How to book an EICR: a practical process
Booking the right inspection starts with a clear conversation about your property. An electrician needs enough information to allow adequate time, bring suitable test equipment and provide an honest quotation. A very small flat and a multi-floor office building should not be booked or priced as though they are the same job.
1. Choose a competent electrical contractor
Look for an electrician or electrical contractor with the qualifications, experience and insurance needed to inspect and test the type of installation you have. Domestic, commercial and light industrial environments each present different challenges. The contractor should be able to explain their scope of work clearly and issue a formal Electrical Installation Condition Report after testing.
Be cautious of quotes that appear unusually low without asking about the number of circuits, consumer units or units within the building. A proper EICR takes time. A price that does not allow for thorough inspection can lead to a report that offers little confidence when you need it most.
2. Provide accurate property details
When you make contact, explain whether the property is a house, flat, HMO, office, shop, warehouse or communal block. State the number of consumer units and, if known, the approximate number of circuits. Mention any outbuildings, electric heating, EV chargers, solar equipment, emergency lighting, fire alarm supplies or three-phase systems.
For landlords and managing agents, it is useful to confirm how many tenanted units need testing and whether there are shared distribution boards. For commercial clients, explain operating hours and any areas where loss of power could affect staff, customers, IT systems or production. These details allow the electrician to plan the visit properly rather than make assumptions on arrival.
3. Ask for a clear quotation and appointment window
A transparent quotation should explain what is included, such as inspection, testing and the report, as well as how additional remedial work would be handled if defects are found. The cost of an EICR varies because properties vary. The number of circuits, access arrangements, age and condition of the installation, building size and whether work must take place outside normal hours all affect the price.
Avoid treating the inspection and remedial work as one fixed assumption. The purpose of testing is to establish the actual condition of the installation. A reliable contractor can quote the EICR in advance, then explain any faults found and price corrective work separately before proceeding, except where immediate action is needed to make a dangerous condition safe.
4. Arrange access and prepare the property
The electrician needs safe, reasonable access to consumer units, distribution boards, sockets, light fittings and other fixed equipment. Clear storage away from electrical panels and make sure tenants, caretakers or keyholders know when the visit will take place. In larger buildings, access issues are one of the most common reasons an inspection takes longer than expected.
Where possible, identify sensitive equipment in advance. Servers, alarm systems, refrigeration, medical equipment and machinery may need a planned shutdown or alternative arrangements. Testing can involve isolating circuits briefly, so this should be agreed before the appointment. A competent electrician will minimise disruption, but safety testing cannot always be completed without some interruption to supplies.
5. Review the report and act on findings
After the inspection, read the report rather than simply filing it away. Check whether it is satisfactory or unsatisfactory, the date of the next recommended inspection and the details of every observation. If remedial work is required, ask the electrician to explain the priority of each issue in plain terms.
For rental properties, landlords must ensure remedial action or further investigation is completed within 28 days, or sooner if the report specifies. Written confirmation of the completed remedial work should be obtained from a qualified person and provided to tenants and the local authority where required. Keeping the original report and remedial paperwork together makes future compliance far easier to manage.
Questions to ask before confirming the booking
Before you book, establish whether the contractor will inspect all accessible circuits, issue the formal report promptly and explain any defects found. It is also worth asking how they deal with failed or inaccessible circuits, whether remedial work can be quoted separately, and what arrangements are available if your premises require testing outside standard working hours.
For a tenanted property, ask what access arrangements are needed and how much notice should be given to occupants. For a business premises, ask whether the testing can be phased to reduce downtime. The best approach depends on the property: a vacant flat can usually be inspected with minimal planning, while an occupied office or multi-unit building needs more coordination.
Do not confuse an EICR with a quick visual check
A visual check may spot obvious damage, but it cannot confirm the condition of concealed cables, earthing arrangements or protective devices in the same way as an EICR. Likewise, a new consumer unit does not automatically prove that every circuit in an older installation is safe. Testing needs to consider the whole installation and the way it has been altered over time.
If you have recently had electrical work completed, the relevant installation certificate for that work is valuable, but it serves a different purpose from a periodic condition report. Keep all electrical paperwork available for the inspector. Previous EICRs, electrical certificates, floor plans and details of recent alterations can help build a more accurate picture of the installation.
Booking with confidence
PG Electrical provides practical EICR testing for homes, rental properties and commercial premises across Greater London, Central London and Kent. The focus is simple: clear communication before the visit, thorough testing on site and straightforward advice if any remedial work is needed.
Do not wait until a tenancy deadline, insurance query or electrical fault forces a rushed booking. Arrange your EICR with enough time for the inspection, any necessary repairs and the paperwork that proves your property is being managed safely.
