There are several essential documents useful for selling a home.
One of these is an Electrical Installation Condition Report.
Read on to learn more about what it is and how to get one.
What is an Electrical Installation Condition Report?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a report on your home’s wiring and electricity service.
It’s like a property survey but solely on the electrics. It ensures that a building’s wiring is safe and compliant with current regulations.
It can only be issued by an electrian qualified by one of the following organisations:
- National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC)
- Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA)
- Stroma.
Types of EICR reports
There are two types of Electrical Installation Condition Reports. These are listed below.
Visual condition report
This does not include testing. This report is only appropriate if the property has had a recent installation test within the last two years.
Periodic inspection reports
These EICRs test the installation and flag hidden problems. These inspections take longer and are more expensive.
EICR vs. PAT testing
EICR is is the testing of a homes electrical infrastructure, whereas Portable appliance testing (PAT) checks appliances.
EICR inspections
Electricians check a property’s wiring and fuse board for circuit breakers and Residual Current Device (RCD) protection.
They will also inspect earth bonding to prevent dangerous – and potentially fatal – electric shocks. This includes the point at which power enters your home.
The inspection includes a sample check of at least 10% of your light switches and sockets.
Limitations
‘LIM’ written on reports stands for ‘limitation’.
This means that the electrician could not access a particular area to check it, which could cause a property to fail a test.
To avoid this, homeowners must ensure electricians can access all parts of a property and each building and rooms’ lights, sockets and switches.
How often should EICR inspections take place?
The charity Electrical Safety First recommends having an EICR inspection every 10 years.
For landlords, this should be every five years or whenever tenants change.
EICR reports
The electrician will then create a seven-page report and safety certificate.
Serious issues or outright danger must be made safe immediately. These are called ‘Code One’ problems.
Code Two problems constitute a potential danger.
And Code Three problems consist of recommendations for improvements that are not yet unsafe.
How much does an EICR cost?
The average cost for an EICR is between £100-£250. But it can be as much as £500 for an old, large house with outbuildings.
The cost also depends on different factors, including:
- The size and age of your property
- The complexity of the circuit board
- The number of appliances in your home.
Also, remember that the hourly rate for an electrician varies. This depends on where you are located and their qualifications.
A ballpark figure for this is £40-£50 per hour plus VAT. So, timescales and costs could be:
- Three hours for a one-bedroom property
- Four hours for a two-bedroom property
- Five hours for a three-bedroom home.
Is an EICR compulsory?
An EICR is not compulsory. After all, homes can even be sold without electricity.
But it can be invaluable before selling your property. It should form part of your information pack.
It reassures buyers that the property is safe and meets modern safety standards.
Electrical Safety First states that nearly half of the house fires in the UK are caused by faulty electrics. Some are even caused by lightening striking houses.
This is particularly helpful when selling an old or period property. If repairs or upgrades are required, it will inform the buyer of the scale of work and potential cost.
When flagging an issue, it may prompt price re-negotiations, especially if the buyer wasn’t previously aware of this problem.
Some lenders and insurers ask for an EICR, too.
