01
Homeowners
Understand the condition of an installation, particularly before planned improvements or after many years without inspection.
Electrical safety checks and reporting
Understand the condition of your electrics
An Electrical Installation Condition Report—normally called an EICR—is a structured inspection and test of the fixed electrical installation.
It can identify defects, deterioration, limitations and recommended improvements, giving you a clearer understanding of the condition of the installation.
The result is explained in straightforward language and supported with photographs where useful.
Clear reporting
Supporting photographs
Plain-English explanation
Who may benefit from an electrical safety check?
Useful for homes, rental properties and small businesses
The reason for an inspection can vary. It may be a routine check, a change of occupancy, a property purchase or concern about an older installation.
02
Landlords & letting agents
Support electrical-safety responsibilities and obtain a clear, documented assessment for rental properties.
03
Home buyers
Obtain more information about the electrics before or shortly after taking ownership of a property.
04
Small businesses
Review the fixed electrical installation in shops, offices, workshops and other smaller commercial premises.
What happens during the visit?
A structured inspection and testing process
The extent of the inspection depends on the property, accessibility, number of circuits and any agreed limitations.
1
Initial review
Discuss the property, any known concerns, access requirements and the scope of the inspection.
2
Visual inspection
Inspect accessible parts of the installation, consumer unit, accessories, earthing and bonding arrangements.
3
Electrical testing
Carry out tests suited to the installation and circuits, recording the measured results.
4
Report and explanation
Record observations, explain the findings and identify any recommended next steps.
Temporary power isolation will normally be required
Some tests require circuits or the installation to be safely isolated. Safe-isolation procedures and suitable test equipment are used before covers are removed or conductors are accessed. The likely disruption will be discussed before testing begins.
What is considered?
More than simply looking at the consumer unit
The inspection considers the fixed wiring and protective arrangements throughout the property, subject to access and agreed limitations.
Age alone does not establish whether an installation is safe or unsafe. Condition, protective measures, installation quality and test results all need to be considered together.
The assessment may include:
- Incoming supply and main earthing arrangements
- Consumer unit and protective devices
- RCD and RCBO protection
- Earthing and protective bonding
- Condition of accessible wiring and accessories
- Lighting, socket and fixed-equipment circuits
- Signs of heat damage, deterioration or poor connections
- Electrical test results for the circuits inspected
Your report
Clear findings with supporting information
The report is produced using professional electrical certification software. It records the inspection and test results, identifies observations using recognised classification codes and provides a clear explanation of the findings.
01
Inspection and test results
Recorded information for the circuits and parts of the installation inspected.
02
Clear identification of observations
Items requiring attention are recorded with the relevant classification.
03
Supporting photographs
Photographs may be included where they help explain a finding or limitation.
04
Plain-English explanation
The findings and recommended next steps are explained without unnecessary jargon.
Understanding your report
What do the EICR classification codes mean?
If an issue is identified, it is recorded using a recognised classification code. These codes explain the level of concern and the type of response normally required.
C1
Danger present. Immediate action is required.
C2
Potentially dangerous. Urgent remedial action is normally recommended.
FI
Further investigation is required before a conclusion can be reached.
C3
Improvement recommended.
A C3 observation alone does not make the report unsatisfactory.
A report containing a C1, C2 or FI observation is normally assessed as unsatisfactory. The meaning of every observation recorded will be explained.
An example from a real inspection
What can an EICR identify?
Example EICR observation
A disconnected conductor identified during the inspection
This internal light switch was reported as not working following decoration. Inspection found that a conductor had not been connected correctly and paint contamination was present around the termination.
The conductor was cleaned and safely re-terminated during the visit. Because the defect was corrected before the report was completed, the observation was recorded as resolved and no separate classification code or return visit was required.
Supporting photographs help explain what was found, what action was taken and whether any further work is recommended.
Electrical safety information
Did you know?
An older electrical installation is not automatically unsafe simply because it was installed to an earlier edition of the regulations.
Electrical safety standards have developed over time, introducing protective measures that may not have been required when the installation was originally completed.
An EICR helps establish the current condition of the installation and whether repair, improvement or further investigation is recommended.
Typical inspection periods
How often might an inspection be considered?
The appropriate interval depends on the property, its use, the condition of the installation and any previous recommendations.
| Property or situation | Typical consideration | Typical maximum interval |
|---|---|---|
| Owner-occupied home | Consider following major alterations, concerns, changes of occupancy or where the installation has not been inspected for many years. | Up to 10 years |
| Private rented property | Subject to applicable landlord electrical-safety requirements and any earlier inspection date stated on the report. | Up to 5 years, or sooner if stated on the report |
| Shop, office or small commercial premises | Depends on use, environment, maintenance arrangements and the previous report. | Up to 5 years |
| Light industrial or workshop environment | Greater use, environmental conditions or risk may justify more frequent inspection. | Typically 3 years |
These periods are general starting guidance rather than a substitute for the recommendation recorded on a previous report or a property-specific assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about electrical safety checks
Select a question below to reveal the answer.
How long does a domestic EICR take?
The duration depends on the property, number of circuits,
accessibility and condition of the installation.
A typical domestic inspection may take up to half a day,
but larger or more complex installations can take longer.
Will the power be turned off?
Yes. Temporary isolation is normally required for parts of the testing.
The expected disruption will be explained before work begins.
Does an older consumer unit automatically fail an EICR?
No. Age or appearance alone does not determine the outcome.
Its condition, protective arrangements, compatibility
and test results all need to be assessed.
Will every socket and fitting be removed?
The inspection normally uses an agreed sampling approach
and is subject to accessibility and limitations.
The extent of inspection will be appropriate to the property
and recorded in the report.
Does the inspection include repairing defects?
An EICR is primarily an inspection and reporting service.
A straightforward defect may sometimes be corrected during the visit
where safe, practical and agreed, but wider remedial work is normally
discussed separately once the findings are understood.
What do C1, C2, C3 and FI mean?
These are observation classifications used to describe danger,
potentially dangerous conditions, recommended improvements
and circumstances requiring further investigation.
The meaning of any code used on your report will be explained.
Is an EICR a sales visit?
No. Its purpose is to inspect, test and report on the condition
of the installation. There is no obligation to ask Cader Electrical
to complete any recommended remedial work.
Know the condition of your electrics
Ready to arrange an electrical safety check?
Send a brief description of the property, its approximate age, the number of consumer units, the reason for the inspection and any previous report date where known.