EICR Certificates

Fire

33,000 house fires occurred in 2021/22 (Source: ADT)

Appliances

Electrical products cause 89% of house fires

Wiring

Faulty wiring causes 11% of house fires

Image of a damaged plug found while carrying out an EICR

Why keep your EICR certificate up to date?

EICR stands for Electrical Installation Condition Report. You likely received a report when you purchased your home. By law, you don’t need an EICR unless you live in a rented property. But here’s why regular testing makes sense:

Outdated fuseboards can’t keep up with the power demands of modern appliances. As you upgrade to more or larger appliances with more power, the demand on the fusebox increases. Moreover, sockets and switches work loose over time, old wiring becomes brittle and fails, and appliances and electrical heating faults may cause short circuits and melted wires. DIY wiring or substandard electrical work may also cause problems.
Any electrical fault increases the potential for an electric shock or electrical fire. But the good news is that an annual visual inspection and an EICR at regular intervals (3-5 years) provide peace of mind that your home is safe. Discover what I test here, or take the first step to a safer home and book a test for an EICR certificate here. It only costs £240, including VAT, to test a typical 3-bed house. Less for a one or two-bedroom flat.

How often should I get a new EICR certificate?
The general recommendation for an EICR certificate is 10 years after a new installation, such as a new-build house or whole house rewire, and every 5 years after that.

Does an EICR certificate guarantee that the property will be safe for 5 years?
No. As with an MOT on a car, an EICR documents the electrical installation's condition ON THE DAY OF TESTING. Regular testing ensures that defects are picked up sooner rather than later and proves in a court of law that you are making attempts to keep your property well maintained.

How much does an EICR cost?
Starting at £240 incl VAT for 1x consumer unit/fuse box, and up to 8x circuits, please add £30 incl VAT for each additional consumer unit/fuse box or circuits