The Short Answer
On our estimates, an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) costs about £150 to £280 for a 2 to 3-bed house and £120 to £200 for a flat. It usually takes 2 to 4 hours.
Landlords in England must have one at least every 5 years and before a new tenancy. For your own home, Electrical Safety First recommends one at least every 10 years. Price any remedial work separately: an EICR is a test, and the fixes it calls for are extra.
EICR prices by size
| Home | EICR |
|---|---|
| Flat or 1-bed | £120 to £200 |
| 2 to 3-bed house | £150 to £280 |
| 4 to 5-bed house | £250 to £400 |
| 6+ bedrooms | £350 to £500 |
EICRs for landlords
Under the electrical safety regulations for rented homes in England, a landlord must:
- have every electrical installation inspected and tested by a qualified person before a tenancy starts and at least every 5 years (sooner if the last report says so);
- give each existing tenant a copy of the report within 28 days;
- give the council a copy within 7 days if it asks in writing;
- keep the report, and complete any remedial or further investigative work within 28 days (or sooner if the report says), then confirm it in writing to the tenant and council.
The council can fine up to £40,000 for a breach (from 1 May 2026; the rules now cover social housing too).
What the codes mean
| Code | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | Danger present | The inspector may make it safe on the spot; then it must be repaired |
| C2 | Potentially dangerous | Repair: the report is unsatisfactory until it's done |
| FI | Further investigation needed | Investigate before the report can be satisfactory |
| C3 | Improvement recommended | Not required for a satisfactory report |
Who can do an EICR?
GOV.UK's guidance says the inspection must be done by a qualified person, meaning someone competent to inspect and test, and points landlords to the Registered Competent Person Electrical register and Electrical Safety First's find-an-electrician service. For a home you're buying, Electrical Safety First suggests having a full EICR done by a registered electrician.
Related
If the report shows the wiring is at the end of its life, see rewire costs; for a new board, consumer units.
Get eicr / electrical inspection quotes
EICRs are priced by the number of circuits, which follows the size of the home.
Free, no obligation. We're paid by MyJobQuote when a tradesperson buys your job, never by you.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an EICR cost?
On our estimates, about £150 to £280 for a 2 to 3-bed house and £120 to £200 for a flat. Remedial work is extra.
Can a normal electrician do an EICR?
It must be someone competent to inspect and test. GOV.UK points landlords to the Registered Competent Person Electrical register to find one.
How often should an EICR be done?
At least every 5 years in a rented home (a legal duty in England), and at least every 10 years in a home you own, as Electrical Safety First recommends.
Can I sell my house without an electrical safety certificate?
Yes, owner-occupiers aren't legally required to have one. Buyers are advised to get one, though, so a recent EICR can help.
How long does it take to get an EICR for a 3-bedroom house?
The inspection usually takes 2 to 4 hours; bigger homes take longer.
What's the fine for not having an EICR?
In England, councils can fine landlords up to £40,000 per breach.
How we priced thisView sources (5, 2 official)
Rules come from the legislation and official guidance, read at source. Prices are our estimates: we check them against trade price data, retailer shelf prices and specialists' price lists, then build them up from their parts so the totals add up. Below are the sources behind the page; the trade price guides we only compare against aren’t listed. Where sources disagreed, we've said so. More on our method.
- OfficialThe Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector and Social Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, regulations 3 and 11, legislation.gov.uk. Checked 15 Oct 2026.
- OfficialElectrical safety standards in the private and social rented sectors: guidance, GOV.UK. Checked 15 Oct 2026.
- IndustryYour questions answered, Electrical Safety First. Checked 16 Oct 2026.
- IndustryHome buyers: consumer units and RCDs explained, Electrical Safety First. Checked 16 Oct 2026.
- Trade guideElectrical safety check cost, Checkatrade. Checked 15 Oct 2026.
