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Cost of an EICR Certificate in 2024

By Kane

Last updated 31st July 2024 - Reading time: 13 mins

At a Glance

The average EICR certificate costs around £120 to get for an average-sized home in the UK
An electrician will typically take between 2-4 hours to complete this job.

In this article, we'll cover the following:

What an electrical safety check involves in the UK, how long an EICR lasts, and when you might need to get one
A complete breakdown of all the costs which you might incur when getting an EICR report
How to find and hire a qualified electrician to perform the test and issue the certificate

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

An electrical safety certificate is a report that homeowners might get for their peace of mind, but is valuable if you're considering putting your house on the market.

However, it's a legal requirement for landlords in the UK to regularly get the electricals in their rental properties inspected and tested. If landlords aren't compliant with these rules, then they can be fined up to £30,000.

In either case, the price of an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is affordable. Although it depends on a few key things, you should expect to pay about around £120.

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This guide covers everything you might need to know about the costs of an EICR certificate (including what impacts the price), more about why you might need to get one, what's involved, FAQ, and more.

Let's get started:

The average cost of an Electrical Safety Certificate in the UK is:

The process usually takes no longer than a few hours, depending on the scale of the property.

£120

How Much is an Electrical Safety Certificate?
- Electrical Safety Certificate Prices
- Labour Costs and Timescales
What Does an Electricity Safety Check Involve?
DIY Electrical Safety Certificates
Types of Electrical Safety Certificates
PAT Testing
Hiring an Electrical Safety Certificate Provider Checklist
FAQs
Sources

How Much is an Electrical Safety Certificate?

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

The price is heavily 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 for them to test.

The cost of an EICR report tends to include an electrician's time, the testing of all electrical points, sockets, fixings, appliances and consumer units (e.g. fuse boards). There should not be any additional charges for providing a written summary - as this is part of the report.

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

I have a 2 bed house with 1 fuse box which has 9 fuses. What would be the cost of a certificate please as I am selling my house and this has come up and I may need to purchase a certificate.

"Prices vary greatly between companies; a typical price would be around £200. But bear in mind this does not guarantee a pass should the installation be non-compliant and require remedial works which would be priced separately."

Atkins Electrical Ltd

Electrical Safety Certificate Prices

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

These are estimated prices based on a typical home. If you think your house is a bit unique, then you might find be quoted a higher or lower EICR cost than this.

Property Size	Cost of EICR Testing
1 Bedroom House	£80-£100
2-3 Bedroom House	£120-£150
4-5 Bedroom House	£160-£200
6+ Bedroom House	£220-£250

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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 that.

Generally, an electrical safety check will take in-between 2 to 4 hours. But how long it takes to do an EICR test and issue a certificate depends on how large the property is and if there are any complications along the way.

But unless you're looking to get an EICR test conducted on a particularly large property or have an unusually complex electrical circuit board, the electrician you hire should normally complete the job within one day or less.

Who Needs To Get an EICR Report for Their Property?

The Electrical Safety report will identify any hazards or concerns with the status of all electrical circuits and appliances.

It is not currently a legal requirement for homeowners. However, landlords in the UK are obliged to have consistent EICR tests performed in a property they're renting out and keep an up-to-date Electrical Certificate.

Tenanted properties should be regularly inspected, having an electrical safety report carried out at least once every five years. These reports are also commonly carried out upon re-wiring.

When hiring a certified tradesperson to carry out an Electrical Safety report, they will inspect all electrical circuits on the property.

Only certified electricians can legally issue an Electrical Safety Certificate, which documents that all electrical appliances and connectors within a property are in safe working condition.

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

Does a landlord in Wales need any electrical safety certificates for multiple occupancy properties or otherwise?

"Yes, if you have a house in multiple occupation (HMO) you are required to have an electrical installation condition report (EICR) performed every 5 years. It is also recommended for properties that are not HMOs but it is not a legal requirement."

ENLOUBAR Property Services Ltd

What Does an Electricity Safety Check Involve?

Getting an Electrical Safety Certificate is simple, and the process generally takes no more than 2-4 hours to complete. Your electrician will visit your property first to provide you with a price quotation.

Once you are satisfied with the price, you will need to schedule a time and date for your Electrical Safety report testing to be carried out. Consider the fact that you may need to take a few hours off work to allow your electrician access to your property.

You are not always required to be there while your electrician is conducting the EICR test. However, you should consider that it might possibly affect your working hours.

The electrician will inspect and test all plug sockets, light fittings and electrical appliances to check whether they are in full working order. During the inspection, your electrician will identify any potential safety risks - such as faulty appliances, improper electrical connections and overloaded extension outlets.

A competent electrician will establish whether there are any faults within the bonding of circuits and check if existing appliances are of a high enough standard for appropriate servicing. The electrician will also examine fire alarms and test them for the appropriate level of safety.

Your electrician may ask you a few questions before they take on the job.

This might include:

When was the last EICR test performed?
How many appliances have been PAT tested?
What work has been carried out since the last EICR test? (It's helpful if you have any service reports.)

Following an inspection of your entire property, your electrician will conclude their findings and construct a written report or document that is classed as the Electrical Safety Certificate. This report will outline the condition of your electrical appliances, along with any advisories for work that needs to be carried out.

DIY Electrical Safety Certificates

By UK law, the only person who can carry out and issue an Electrical Safety Certificate is a certified electrician. However, this does not mean that there are no steps you can take yourself to ensure and protect the quality and safety of your property.

By regularly monitoring your properties electrical components and switchboards, you will reduce the likelihood of a hazard occurring.

Another way you can maintain a safe practice of electrical equipment is by investing in quality, energy-efficient white goods and other appliances.

It is not illegal to carry out electrical works yourself if you feel capable. However, you must recognise that in order to acquire a legal Electrical Safety Certificate, all electrical work must be inspected and signed off by a licenced electrician.

Most electricians will not be willing to sign off another person’s work for risk of liability and reputation.

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Types of Electrical Safety Certificates

There are four kinds of Electrical Safety Reports or Certificates:

Minor Electrical Works Installation Certificates
Electrical Installation Certificates
Electrical Installation Condition Reports
Part P Notification Reports

Electrical Installation Certificates can only be issued by a licenced electrician and states that the installations carried out are in a safe, working order. Major electrical installations, including consumer unit installation, require an Electrical Installation Certificate.

Minor Electrical Certificates are similar to Electrical Installation Certificates. However, they differ in the extent of the work carried out. As the name suggests, minor electrical installation certificates are issued for smaller installations such as the addition of plug sockets and light switches in domestic dwellings.

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

In general, the two most common kinds of domestic electrical reports are carried out on electrical installations and electrical conditions. Landlords should always acquire a Landlord's Electrical Safety Certificate, as they are legally responsible for the safety of their tenants and the condition of all electrical circuits within the property.

Part P Notification is a building regulation that is in place to ensure the safety of homeowners and tenants. 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 circuit in dwellings and associated buildings.

In some cases, the submission of change to a building control authority may result in incurring building control fees.

These Part P charges will vary, depending on your local council. However, notification costs are estimated to range between £250-£400, depending on the complexity of the electrical work.

However, not all electrical work needs to be submitted. It's always worth checking to see whether the work you are about to pursue will need to be approved or submitted to your local building control authorities.

Licenced electricians who are part of a qualifying self-certification scheme or Part-P scheme can self-certify their work. This means that the local building regulations authorities will not need to be notified of electrical work carried out by this tradesperson.

PAT Testing

PAT testing (portable appliance testing) is a process where electrical appliances are examined to ensure safety. It’s typically required for businesses and landlords to establish the safety of any used appliances.

Only registered electricians can’t carry out portable appliance testing, and once it’s completed, you’ll receive the following:

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
An observable pass or fail sticker on each appliance specifying the inspection date, when the next test is due and the examiner’s signature

The price for a PAT test is (on average) a minimum of £30-£60. This fee will cover the first 15-30 items. If there are additional items that go over the agreed amount, then you will normally be charged for each item individually (typically between £0.75-£2 per appliance).

Hiring an Electrical Safety Certificate Provider Checklist

Before you hire someone to carry out an Electrical Safety report at your property, there are a few things to consider first. Below is an easy step-by-step guide for you to follow when seeking a professional to carry out the service.

Shop around. Do not jump into hiring the first person or business that gives you a quote. Even if the price is cheap, you should always compare alternative options.
Check that your electrician is authorised to issue an Electrical Safety Report. They will likely be; however, you should always research anyone who is working on your property.
Get a written agreement in place for the work that is to be carried out. This gives you a clear outline of what services are included in the charge.
Always check if your tradesperson is adequately insured for any unexpected incidents or damage to your home.
Get a written receipt or confirmation after making any payment for the EICR certificate. This protects you in case of any disputes.

FAQs

Do I Need an Electrical Safety Certificate To Sell My Property?

In the UK, there is currently no law that states that a seller must provide a buyer with any electrical safety certificates when selling their property. However, having an electrical safety certificate in place may make the process of selling your home easier.

What Is NICEIC?

NICEIC is an accredited certification that provides industry-recognised assessments to various areas of the building sector. Electricians and other tradespersons can become registered with NICEIC to confirm liability of designing, commissioning and maintenance of electrical installations.

As a Landlord, What Electrical Safety Certificates Do I Need?

Currently, a landlord has to ensure that every rental property they own has a valid electric safety certificate - and that it's updated at least every 5 years.

What Is a Consumer Unit?

A consumer unit is the leading electrical board that provides power to each electrical circuit in a property. A consumer unit is commonly referred to as a 'fuse box'. It is generally found at the point where electrical power enters a property, often by the front or back entrances.

My Electricity Is Not Safe, and My Landlord Will Not Help. What Can I Do?

If a landlord ignores or refuses to fix an electrical problem at an occupied rental property, the tenant has the right to contact environmental health. Your local council offices will refer you to their environmental health department, which will take appropriate action against your landlord if they fail to meet legal safety requirements.