EICR in Eastwood SS9

Leigh-on-Sea Electrical Services covers Eastwood and the surrounding area. This page walks through what to expect, from the preparation to the report you receive afterwards.

A little preparation saves time. Make sure the inspector can reach the consumer unit (fuse board), any sub-boards, and the rooms and outbuildings that have electrics. Move stored items away from the board and tell anyone in the property that the power will be switched off for short periods.

If you are a landlord, let your tenants know in advance and agree access. If you are buying or selling, check with your solicitor or agent what paperwork is being asked for.

The inspector starts with a visual check of the fixed electrical installation: the consumer unit, wiring you can see, sockets, switches and light fittings. They look for damage, wear, overheating, poor connections and anything that does not look right.

Next comes the electrical testing. Circuits are usually switched off one at a time while the inspector carries out fixed wire testing, checking things like the condition of insulation and earthing. They also check the consumer unit protective devices, such as breakers and RCDs, to see whether they will operate as they should. Because this is a thorough process, how long it takes depends on the size of the property and the number of circuits.

The inspector records what they find as they go, so the final report matches what was actually inspected and tested.

After the visit you receive one of the electrical installation condition reports. The report gives an overall result of satisfactory or unsatisfactory, and lists any observations with codes showing how serious each one is.

If the result is unsatisfactory, remedial work will be needed. Landlords should check the timescale for remedial work within the rules that apply to them, and the rules can change, so check GOV.UK for the current position. For rented homes in England, intervals of up to five years give a general guide for re-testing, but your report will state the recommended date for the next inspection. That date can be shorter if the installation is in poorer condition.

Keep the report safe. Buyers, sellers, letting agents, insurers and tenants may all ask to see it, and it is the record of your electrical safety checks.

An EICR looks at the fixed installation. It is not the same as fire alarm testing, which is usually a separate job with its own records. PAT testing in-service is also separate, because it covers portable appliances rather than the fixed wiring.

You may see thermal imaging non-invasive checks mentioned elsewhere as an extra. An EICR is based on inspection and testing, so ask exactly what is included before you book. If you are planning an electric vehicle point, ask about a charger installation survey as a separate step.

For shops, offices and other commercial electrical installations, the same principles apply, but the size and use of the premises affect how the inspection is planned. Ask for a Commercial EICR if that is what you need.