Preparing for an EICR
A little preparation helps the inspection cover more of the installation and reduces the number of limitations recorded.
- Clear the area around the consumer unit (fuse box) so it can be opened safely.
- Make sure sockets, switches and light fittings in every room can be reached — move furniture away from walls where practical.
- Arrange access to lofts, garages, outbuildings and any locked rooms you want included.
- Let occupants know that power will be off for periods during testing. Save work, and plan for IT equipment, alarms and fridges.
- Have previous reports or certificates to hand — they help the inspector understand the installation's history.
Read more about our EICR service.
PAT testing vs fixed installation testing
These are two different things. Fixed installation testing (an EICR) covers the wiring built into the property: circuits, sockets, switches, light fittings and the consumer unit. Portable appliance testing covers equipment that plugs into a socket, such as kettles, lamps, heaters and extension leads.
A landlord letting a furnished property, for example, might need both: an EICR for the installation and PAT testing for supplied appliances. One does not replace the other. See PAT testing and EICR.
What to do after a report
Guidance reviewed 24 October 2026.
Read the summary and the schedule of observations. Each observation normally carries a classification code indicating how it should be treated:
- C1 — danger present; immediate remedial action is required.
- C2 — potentially dangerous; urgent remedial action is required.
- C3 — improvement recommended.
- FI — further investigation is advised (the wording used under BS 7671 Amendment 4:2026).
An FI code relates to something the inspector observed that may be a safety concern and needs investigating. It is not the same as a limitation: an area that could not be inspected because of access or agreed scope is recorded as a limitation, not as FI. FI is not a separate overall outcome either — the report is still recorded as satisfactory or unsatisfactory. Under Amendment 4, FI or C3 observations alone do not make a report unsatisfactory.
Older reports were produced under earlier editions, where FI wording and its effect on the overall assessment differed. Check which edition your report refers to and follow the inspector's recommendations in that report. The IET explains the changes in its guidance on further investigation and its notes on the current edition of BS 7671.
If the report is unsatisfactory, arrange for the relevant items to be investigated and repaired by a competent electrician, and keep the paperwork for the completed work alongside the report. If you have obligations as a landlord, check the current requirements that apply to you, including any deadlines for completing work and sharing documents.
We can review an existing report and quote for agreed items — see remedial works.
Reports vs certificates
An EICR reports on the condition of an existing installation. New work — such as a new circuit or a consumer unit replacement — is documented with an installation certificate or, for smaller alterations, a minor works certificate. If you are asked for "an electrical certificate", it is worth checking which document is actually needed.
Common questions
Can you guarantee the property will pass?
No. The outcome depends on the condition found during the inspection. We explain any observations and options clearly.
How long does a visit take?
It depends on the size and condition of the property and the scope agreed. We give an expected duration when we confirm the appointment.
Will the power be off?
For testing and most electrical work, yes — in stages. We'll let you know what to expect beforehand.
How do I get a price?
Request a quotation with the property type, postcode, service and access needs. We confirm scope, exclusions, VAT treatment and the appointment before work is arranged.