EICR Electrical Safety Certificate Cost UK: 2026 Price Guide
31 October 2026
EICR Electrical Safety Certificate Cost UK: 2026 Price Guide
An EICR, or Electrical Installation Condition Report, costs around £150 to £350 in the UK in 2026, according to InstantCost’s electrician price guide. The final quote depends on the property, its electrical installation and the inspection requirements. This is a guide range, not a fixed quote, and remedial repairs may cost extra.
People often search for an “EICR certificate”, “landlord electrical safety certificate” or “electrical safety certificate”. The document is usually a report rather than a pass certificate. It records the condition of the fixed wiring and identifies any safety issues that need attention.
2026 EICR price guide: allow approximately £150 to £350 for an inspection and report. Check whether the quote includes VAT, the written report, any follow-up visit and repairs. Prices were checked against InstantCost’s electrician data in October 2026.
For a postcode-based estimate and local electrician quotes, use the InstantCost electrician cost calculator. Choose the EICR safety certificate option and enter the property details that the calculator requests.
What affects the EICR certificate cost?
The number of circuits and the time needed to inspect and test them are more useful clues than the number of bedrooms alone. Two homes with the same bedroom count can have different electrical layouts, access conditions and levels of wear.
Property size and circuit count: a larger installation may take longer to inspect and test.
Age and condition: older or altered wiring can require closer inspection or further investigation.
Access: blocked sockets, a hard-to-reach consumer unit or rooms that cannot be entered can delay the visit.
Property type: flats, houses in multiple occupation and commercial premises may have different inspection scopes. The InstantCost range above is a domestic guide, not a commercial tariff.
Location and availability: local labour rates and urgent appointments can affect a quote.
Follow-up work: repairs, replacement parts and a return visit may be priced separately from the inspection.
Ask whether the quoted amount is for the inspection and report only. A quote that combines the inspection with possible repairs can be difficult to compare before the electrician has assessed the installation.
What does an EICR inspection check?
An electrician inspects and tests the fixed electrical installation. This can include the consumer unit, wiring, sockets, switches, lighting circuits, earthing and bonding. The exact inspection depends on the property and what can be safely accessed.
The electrician records defects using condition codes. The main codes to understand are:
C1: danger is present and immediate action is needed.
C2: the issue is potentially dangerous and needs remedial work.
C3: an improvement is recommended, but this code alone does not make the report unsatisfactory.
FI: further investigation is needed without delay.
A report with C1 or C2 findings, or an unresolved further-investigation item, needs follow-up action. A C3 recommendation is useful to consider, but it is not the same as a dangerous defect. Read the full description and ask the electrician to explain any code you do not understand.
Does the EICR price include repairs?
Usually, the inspection fee covers the testing and the written report. Do not assume it includes repairs. If the electrician identifies a problem, request a separate written breakdown that names the code, the work required, the parts, labour, VAT and any retest or follow-up fee.
It is sensible to obtain another qualified electrician’s view if a large repair is recommended and the explanation is unclear. Ask for the relevant report findings to be explained before agreeing to work. The goal is to address the documented safety issue, not to replace equipment automatically because it is old or does not look modern.
If the report identifies a consumer unit concern, compare the proposed work with a separate guide to fuse box replacement costs. The EICR itself is an inspection, so a consumer unit replacement should not be treated as included unless the quote says so.
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Do landlords need an electrical safety certificate?
Landlord electrical safety rules apply across the UK, but the legislation and paperwork differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. In general, landlords must arrange inspections at intervals no longer than five years, or sooner if the report specifies a shorter interval.
In England, current government guidance says landlords must have the installation inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years. They must obtain a report, provide it to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection, and give it to a new tenant before they move in. There are some exceptions, so landlords should check whether their property and tenancy are covered by the regulations.
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own requirements for rented homes. Check the rules for the property’s location and tenancy type instead of assuming that the English process applies everywhere. The GOV.UK electrical safety guidance explains the requirements that apply in England.
Homeowners do not generally need an EICR just because they own or occupy their home. They may still choose to arrange one if the wiring is old, they are buying a property, or they have concerns about electrical safety. Check with your insurer or solicitor if a specific report is required for a sale, mortgage or insurance condition.
How to hire a certified electrician for an EICR
When you hire an electrician for an EICR, focus on whether they are qualified and competent to inspect and test the installation, and whether they will provide a complete written report. “Certified electrician” is a common search phrase, but scheme membership alone is not a substitute for checking the person’s relevant experience and the scope of the job.
Before booking, ask the electrician:
Will you carry out a full inspection and test and provide an EICR?
What property details or circuit information do you need to price it accurately?
Does the quote include the report, VAT and any expected travel or call-out charge?
Are repairs, further investigation or a return visit excluded?
What qualifications and experience do you have with this type of installation?
If you belong to an electrical competent-person scheme, can I check your registration?
How will you handle access and any temporary power interruptions during testing?
Get the answers in writing. Compare quotes on the same basis: the same property, the same inspection scope and the same report deliverables. A lower price may not be comparable if it excludes the report, covers only limited testing or adds charges later.
For a wider comparison of labour and call-out charges, see InstantCost’s guide to electrician hourly rates in the UK. An EICR is commonly quoted as a job rather than simply multiplying an hourly rate, so use the rate guide as context, not as a substitute for an inspection quote.
How to prepare for the inspection
A little preparation can help avoid a wasted visit or an incomplete inspection:
Arrange access to every room and any cupboard containing electrical equipment.
Move items away from the consumer unit and make sockets accessible where possible.
Tell the electrician about known electrical faults, recent alterations or areas that cannot be accessed.
If the home is rented, coordinate access with the tenant and give them notice as required by the tenancy arrangements.
Ask in advance whether the testing is likely to interrupt power and how long the property may be without it.
Do not remove covers from the consumer unit or attempt electrical tests yourself to prepare for an EICR. Leave inspection and testing to the electrician.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a landlord electrical safety certificate?
InstantCost’s 2026 guide puts a domestic EICR at approximately £150 to £350. The property and installation affect the final quote, and remedial work may be additional. Ask the electrician to state exactly what the inspection price includes.
Is an EICR the same as an electrical safety certificate?
People often use “electrical safety certificate” to mean an EICR. The formal document for an inspection of an existing installation is usually an Electrical Installation Condition Report. It describes the findings and any action needed; it is not simply a pass certificate.
How often does a landlord need an EICR?
Landlord inspection requirements depend on the UK nation and the property’s circumstances. A five-year interval is common, but the report may specify an earlier inspection. Check the relevant rules and follow the next inspection date stated in the report.
Does a failed EICR mean the whole property needs rewiring?
No. An unsatisfactory report means the electrician has identified a dangerous issue or a point needing further investigation. The report should identify the findings. The required work may be limited to particular defects, but only an electrician who assesses the installation can advise on the remedy.
Can I book an EICR online without a site visit?
You can request an estimate online, but a final price may depend on details such as the installation, number of circuits and access. Give accurate property information and confirm the full inspection scope with the electrician before booking.
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