EICRs: Electrical Installation Condition Reports
EICRs in Stevenage& Across Hertfordshire
A full inspection and test of your property's electrics, with a clear, honest report and any issues explained in plain language: typically £220 for a 3-bed home with one fuseboard.
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£220
typical 3-bed, 1 fuseboard
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The service
What an EICR is and why it matters
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a formal inspection and test of a property's fixed electrical installation: the wiring, consumer unit, sockets, switches and circuits built into the building, rather than appliances plugged into it. It checks everything against BS 7671, the UK wiring regulations, and records any defects found using a standard classification.
Linehan Mechanical & Electrical Ltd carries out EICRs for homes and businesses across Stevenage, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and London. The business is an NICEIC Approved Contractor, and testing is carried out to the same standard whether it's a one-bed flat or a commercial unit.
An EICR typically costs £220 for a 3-bedroom home with one fuseboard: the price depends on property size, number of circuits and fuseboards, so larger properties cost more. A free quote is given before any inspection is booked.
Landlords are legally required to have an EICR carried out on rental properties in England, repeated at least every five years. Homeowners, buyers and sellers often get one done around a property transaction, a renovation, or simply because the wiring is old and hasn't been checked recently.
If it's left
What an EICR commonly finds
Every property is different, but inspectors see the same handful of issues again and again; some minor, some serious enough to need action immediately.
No RCD protection
Properties without RCD protection on socket circuits are far more common than people expect, especially in homes last rewired before the 2000s.
Damaged or unsafe accessories
Cracked sockets, switches or light fittings are a common finding, often from age or minor accidental damage never reported.
Poor or non-standard previous work
DIY or unqualified work | incorrect connections, missing earth bonding, unsupported cable | shows up regularly on inspection.
Overloaded or undersized circuits
Circuits carrying more load than they were designed for, often from properties adapted over time without electrical upgrades.
Missing or damaged earthing and bonding
A classic finding is missing main bonding to gas or water pipes, or damaged earth connections, both of which affect how a fault is cleared.
Old consumer units
Rewireable fuse boards or boards without RCD protection are frequently flagged as needing an upgrade.
Common mistakes we see
- ×Leaving an EICR until a mortgage lender or insurer demands one
- ×Assuming no visible problems means no electrical problems
- ×Ignoring a C2 observation because the lights still work fine
- ×Not keeping EICR paperwork for future buyers, insurers or tenants
- ×Choosing the cheapest inspection without checking the inspector's accreditation
- ×Treating an EICR as a one-off rather than a five-yearly check
How we work
How an EICR is carried out
- 01
Quote
Get a free quote based on property size, number of bedrooms and fuseboards | typically £220 for a 3-bed, 1 fuseboard property.
- 02
Visual inspection
The consumer unit, accessories, and visible wiring are inspected for damage, wear, and compliance with current standards.
- 03
Dead and live testing
Circuits are tested with the power off and on | continuity, insulation resistance, polarity, earth fault loop impedance and RCD operation.
- 04
Classification of findings
Any issues found are classified | C1 (danger present), C2 (potentially dangerous), C3 (improvement recommended), or FI (further investigation) | and explained clearly, not just listed as codes.
- 05
Report and next steps
You receive a written report with a satisfactory or unsatisfactory outcome, and a clear quote for any remedial work if it's needed.
What you get
Why get your EICR with Linehan Electrical
Straightforward scheduling
Quotes are given upfront and inspections booked once the property size is confirmed.
Thorough testing
Full dead and live testing to BS 7671, not a quick visual check.
Findings explained clearly
Classification codes are translated into plain language, so you understand what's urgent and what isn't.
Transparent pricing
A typical price is published upfront, and larger properties are quoted before the visit.
NICEIC Approved Contractor
Testing carried out by a contractor independently assessed against the national standard.
Remedial work from the same team
If issues are found, the same team can quote and carry out the repairs, rather than passing you to someone else.
In detail
What's covered in an EICR
Here's a closer look at what the inspection involves, how classifications work, and how costs vary.
What's inspected and tested
An EICR covers the consumer unit, all circuits, sockets, switches, light fittings and fixed wiring in the property. It does not cover portable appliances, which fall under a different type of test (PAT testing). The inspection combines a visual check of accessible accessories and wiring with electrical testing of every circuit.
Testing includes continuity of protective conductors, insulation resistance between conductors, polarity checks, earth fault loop impedance, and RCD trip times: the same sequence used when certifying new work, applied to the existing installation.
Classification codes explained
C1 means danger present: immediate risk of injury, requiring urgent attention. C2 means potentially dangerous: a risk that should be addressed without delay but isn't an immediate emergency. C3 means improvement recommended, not a regulatory requirement but worth considering. FI means further investigation is needed to determine if a observation is a risk.
An EICR is marked 'unsatisfactory' if any C1 or C2 observations are recorded, which is common and doesn't mean the whole property is unsafe to use; it means specific items need fixing.
How pricing varies with property size
The typical £220 price applies to a 3-bedroom property with a single fuseboard. Smaller properties, such as one-bed flats, can be less; larger homes, houses with multiple fuseboards, or properties with outbuildings cost more, reflecting the extra circuits to test.
Commercial EICRs are priced individually depending on the size of the premises, number of distribution boards and circuits, and are quoted after discussing the property with you.
Landlord and legal requirements
Landlords in England are required to have an EICR carried out at least every five years, or at change of tenancy, and to provide a copy to tenants. Letting the inspection lapse is a compliance risk, not just a recommendation.
Homeowners have no legal requirement to get an EICR, but many lenders, insurers and buyers' solicitors ask for one around a property transaction, and it's good practice generally every ten years, or five for a rented property.
Remedial work after an EICR
Where an EICR identifies C1 or C2 observations, a separate quote is provided for the remedial work: anything from replacing a damaged accessory to a full consumer unit upgrade. You decide whether to proceed; the report and the remedial quote are kept separate so there's no pressure either way.
Once remedial work is completed, it's tested and, where appropriate, a follow-up report or minor works certificate confirms the installation now meets the standard.
Related services
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does an EICR cost?
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An EICR typically costs £220 for a 3-bedroom property with one fuseboard. Price depends on property size and the number of circuits and fuseboards, so you'll get a specific quote for your property.
How long does an EICR take?
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A typical domestic EICR takes a few hours on site, depending on the number of circuits and accessories to test.
Do landlords need an EICR by law?
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Yes, landlords in England must have an EICR carried out at least every five years and provide a copy to tenants.
What does 'unsatisfactory' on an EICR mean?
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It means at least one C1 or C2 observation was recorded. It doesn't necessarily mean the whole property is unsafe: the report tells you exactly what needs attention.
Will you fix anything found on the report?
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Yes, remedial work is quoted separately once the report is complete, and the same team can carry it out.
How often should homeowners get an EICR?
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Every ten years is generally recommended for owner-occupied homes, or sooner if the property is older, has had DIY work, or hasn't been checked in a long time.
Is the work guaranteed?
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Any remedial work carried out carries a 12-month workmanship guarantee. The EICR itself is a report on the condition found at the time of inspection.
Can I book an EICR outside office hours?
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The phone line is answered 24 hours a day on +44 7855 954229, so you can call any time to arrange a quote and booking.
Do you carry out EICRs across Stevenage and Hertfordshire?
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Yes, EICRs are carried out across Stevenage, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and London.
Do you test commercial premises too?
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Yes, commercial EICRs are quoted individually depending on the size of the premises and number of distribution boards.
Get a free EICR quote
Tell us your property size and number of fuseboards for a free, no-obligation quote. Call Gary any time on +44 7855 954229.
- NICEIC Approved Contractor
- 12-month workmanship guarantee
- 4.95 on TrustATrader