Electrical Insights

Electrical safety should feel straightforward. If you are a Berkshire landlord, seller or homeowner, an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is the clearest way to confirm your wiring is safe, compliant, and ready for tenants, surveyors, or insurers. Here is what an EICR covers, how much to budget, how long it takes, what can cause a fail, and what to do next.

AXO Electrical Contractors is a NICEIC Approved Contractor and Domestic Installer based in Shinfield, Reading. Our qualified team carries out EICRs for domestic, rented, commercial, and light industrial properties across Reading, Wokingham, Bracknell, and wider Berkshire.

What an EICR is and why it matters

An EICR is a formal inspection and test of a property’s fixed electrical installation, carried out to BS 7671 (the UK Wiring Regulations). It checks the condition of consumer units, circuits, protective devices, bonding and earthing, and a representative sample of accessories such as sockets and switches. The outcome is a written report with observed issues coded by risk level and either a Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory result.

For landlords, a current Satisfactory EICR helps meet legal duties under electrical safety regulations in the private rented sector. For sellers, it can speed surveys and reduce negotiation friction. For businesses, it supports compliance, insurance, and continuity planning.

Typical EICR pricing in Berkshire

Budgets vary by property size, age, and access. As a guide for typical UK domestic and small business premises:

• 1 to 2 bed flats or houses, from around £150 to £220 plus VAT
• 3 bed houses, from around £200 to £280 plus VAT
• 4 to 5 bed houses, from around £260 to £380 plus VAT
• Small shops or offices (SMEs), often £200 to £450 plus VAT depending on circuit count and site complexity

Properties with outbuildings, multiple consumer units, historic wiring, or limited access can take longer and cost more. AXO provides free, no obligation quotes before booking.

How long an EICR takes

Most 1 to 3 bed homes take 2 to 4 hours. Larger homes can take half a day. Small commercial units typically run 3 to 6 hours, depending on the number of circuits and whether testing can be done live around business operations. Power will be turned off in stages during testing, so plan for brief outages.

What can fail an EICR

Findings are coded:

• C1, danger present, immediate risk of injury. Typical examples include exposed live parts, severely damaged accessories, or reversed polarity on a socket.
• C2, potentially dangerous, urgent remedial work needed. Common items include missing or undersized main protective bonding, no RCD protection for sockets or bathroom circuits in modern contexts, deteriorated insulation readings, overheated connections, or incorrect circuit breaker ratings.
• FI, further investigation required. Used when the inspector suspects a fault but cannot safely verify without additional work, for example intermittent tripping, hidden junction boxes, or inaccessible circuits.

Any C1, C2, or FI will result in an Unsatisfactory report until corrected.

Does an EICR check every socket and circuit?

Inspectors perform a combination of visual checks, testing at the consumer unit, and sample testing of accessories. Not every single socket or switch is routinely tested in a large property, but every circuit must be identified, tested, and recorded. Where accessible, a representative sample of sockets and points is tested. If issues are found in a sample, the inspector may expand testing. In sensitive areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor supplies, expect closer attention.

Who can carry out EICRs and what documents you receive

EICRs should be completed by a competent person experienced in inspection and testing, typically a NICEIC Approved Contractor or NICEIC Domestic Installer working to BS 7671. After the visit you will receive:

• The EICR document with observations and codes
• A schedule of inspections and schedule of test results
• A clear outcome labelled Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory
• Recommendations and next steps if remedials are needed

Keep the report securely for insurers, tenants, and future sales.

Validity and retest intervals

Intervals depend on use and condition:

• Owner-occupied homes, typically 10 years, or change of occupancy, unless the report recommends sooner
• Private rented homes in England, at least every 5 years, or at change of tenancy if the last report suggests an earlier date
• Commercial premises, often 3 to 5 years depending on risk assessment, environment, and the previous report

Always follow the next inspection date stated on your EICR.

What to do after a fail

If your EICR is Unsatisfactory, agree remedial works to address each C1 and C2 (and investigate any FI). On completion, you will receive evidence of the corrections, typically a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate or similar, and either a fresh EICR or written confirmation that the original has been made compliant, depending on the scope. Landlords should provide proof of remedials to tenants and, if requested, to the local authority.

How AXO helps Berkshire homes, landlords and SMEs

AXO Electrical Contractors is a NICEIC Approved Contractor and Domestic Installer delivering inspection, testing, and remedial works across Reading, Wokingham, Bracknell, and nearby towns. We provide fast quotes, flexible appointment windows, tidy workmanship, and clear reporting, with 24/7 support for urgent issues.

If you need a prompt landlord report in Reading, learn more about local availability on our EICR services in Reading page. For neighbouring areas, see our page covering electrical inspections in Wokingham for testing and follow-on consumer unit upgrades when required.

Summary and next step

An EICR verifies the condition of your fixed wiring, highlights risks, and sets a clear retest date. Budget based on size and complexity, allow a few hours for testing, and expect focused checks on every circuit with sample outlet testing. If issues arise, remedial work can bring your installation back to a Satisfactory standard quickly.