Electrical testing and inspection in Somerset and the South West

Electrical Installation Condition Reports

An Electrical Installation Condition Report, usually shortened to EICR, records the findings of a periodic inspection and test of an existing fixed electrical installation.

The report describes the installation covered, the extent and limitations of the inspection, relevant observations and test results. It also gives an assessment of whether the installation is satisfactory for continued use within that scope and records the recommended date for the next inspection.

An EICR helps identify defects and deterioration that may need remedial work or further investigation. It is an assessment at the time of inspection, rather than a guarantee that no fault will develop later.

If your insurer, managing agent or another party has requested an electrical report, send us their requirements when enquiring so that the proposed inspection can be discussed against the information they need.

Commercial electrical testing and inspection

Commercial installations can change over time as equipment is added, rooms are repurposed and working patterns develop. Inspection and testing help you understand the condition of the fixed installation alongside those changes.

We discuss inspection requirements for offices, shops, workshops, warehouses and other commercial properties. Education, healthcare, hospitality and heritage premises may have additional access arrangements or specialist requirements to establish before the work begins.

For business premises, planning normally includes:

• Reviewing previous electrical reports and available circuit information.
• Identifying the distribution boards and circuits within the proposed scope.
• Discussing operating hours, sensitive equipment and shutdown requirements.
• Agreeing access to occupied, restricted or hard-to-reach areas.
• Establishing how findings and any urgent concerns will be communicated.

We can then explain the inspection findings and discuss any further investigation or remedial work. An inspection supports your management of electrical safety; it does not replace the wider risk assessment and maintenance arrangements for the business.

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Landlord EICRs and rental property inspections

Landlords and letting agents need clear records of electrical condition and an organised response to defects. REF Electrics provides EICRs for rental properties and can discuss the work identified by the report.

For rented homes covered by the electrical safety regulations in England, the fixed electrical installation must generally be inspected and tested at intervals of no more than five years, or sooner where the report requires it. The requirements for supplying reports and completing necessary follow-up work also need to be met.

Tell us the property type, tenancy circumstances and any existing inspection date or deadline. Rental and communal areas can have different requirements, so the inspection scope should be established for the premises rather than assumed.

We can discuss access arrangements with the landlord or managing agent and explain what information will be needed before the visit. The landlord remains responsible for meeting the duties that apply to the property.

Electrical inspections for homeowners and buyers

An electrical inspection can help homeowners understand an older installation, assess concerns about previous work or plan improvements with better information.

It can also be useful when buying a property, particularly where electrical records are missing or the condition of the wiring is uncertain. An EICR is a separate electrical assessment and should not be assumed to be included in a general property survey.

If you are arranging an inspection before purchase, access and permission need to be agreed with the current owner. Share any relevant survey comments, previous reports or known alterations with your enquiry.

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What does electrical inspection and testing cover?

The agreed scope focuses on the fixed electrical installation. Depending on the property, this can include consumer units or distribution boards, wiring, sockets, switches, lighting circuits and supplies to fixed equipment.

The inspection considers matters such as:

• Visible damage, deterioration and signs of overheating.
• The condition of accessible electrical accessories and wiring.
• Earthing and protective bonding arrangements.
• The suitability and operation of relevant protective devices.
• Electrical test results and defects requiring attention.
• Circuit identification and available installation information.

An EICR is not normally a destructive investigation of the building. Access restrictions, agreed sampling and other limitations affect what can be inspected and must be recorded appropriately. If a restriction prevents a meaningful assessment, further access or investigation may be required.

Inspection of the building’s fixed wiring is also different from appliance testing, emergency lighting servicing or a full specialist assessment of solar PV, batteries and EV chargers. We agree which services are included and identify any additional requirements.

Understanding EICR observations

Where an inspector identifies an issue, the report uses classification codes to indicate its significance. These help distinguish urgent defects from recommended improvements.

C1, C2 or FI observations result in an unsatisfactory assessment. We explain the findings and the action needed, including any immediate safety measures.

A property’s age does not automatically mean it needs a full rewire. Recommendations should follow the actual condition, inspection findings and relevant safety requirements.

How the inspection process works

1. Discuss the property and requirements

We ask about the premises, its use and why the report is needed. Previous EICRs, installation certificates, floor plans and circuit schedules can help establish the starting point.

2. Agree the scope, access and quotation

We identify the proposed extent of inspection, likely access requirements and any known limitations. For larger or more complex installations, a preliminary site assessment may be needed to define the work.

3. Plan electrical interruptions

Some tests require circuits to be isolated. We discuss this in advance, including equipment that needs a controlled shutdown or special arrangements. Business owners, occupiers and relevant equipment providers may need to coordinate before the visit.

4. Inspect and test

We carry out the agreed inspection and testing, record the results and assess observations. If an immediate danger is discovered, appropriate action to address that danger takes priority.

5. Explain the report and next steps

You receive the report with its findings, observations and relevant inspection and test information. We explain any recommended action and discuss a separate scope for repairs or further investigation where needed.

What happens if the EICR is unsatisfactory?

An unsatisfactory result means that identified issues require attention. Some concerns can be defined directly from the report; others need further investigation before the remedial scope is clear.

We can discuss the necessary work, its priority and the evidence needed after completion. Repairs and alterations are documented appropriately, and the original report should be retained with the follow-up records.

For rental properties covered by the English regulations, necessary remedial or investigative work generally needs to be completed within 28 days, or sooner where the report specifies. An immediate danger must be addressed immediately; the general deadline is not permission to leave it in place.

A report does not become satisfactory simply because a repair has been booked. The required action must be completed and evidenced appropriately.

How often should electrical testing be carried out?

The right inspection interval depends on the installation, its use and environment, previous findings and any specific legal or contractual requirements. The next inspection date recorded in your report should be considered alongside these factors.

A general recommendation for one type of premises is not a universal rule for every building. Commercial premises and owner-occupied homes should not automatically be assigned the same interval as rented housing.

Alterations, damage, changes of use or new concerns may also justify an earlier assessment. Routine checks and appropriate maintenance remain important between formal inspections.

Testing and certification for new electrical work

New installations, additions and alterations need the relevant inspection, testing and certification for the work undertaken. Depending on the scope, this may be an Electrical Installation Certificate or a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate.

These documents serve a different purpose from an EICR, which assesses an existing installation. Contact us if you are unsure which document has been requested so that the correct service can be discussed.

Is an EICR the same as an electrical safety certificate?

The phrase electrical safety certificate is often used informally. An EICR is specifically a condition report for an existing installation. New installation work requires its own relevant certification. Tell us what the document is needed for so that the correct assessment is arranged.

Will the electricity need to be switched off?

Yes, some testing requires isolation. We explain the expected interruptions and access requirements in advance, with particular attention to sensitive equipment and occupied premises.

How long does an EICR take?

The duration depends on the size and complexity of the installation, the number of circuits, available records and access. We discuss the expected programme when the scope is established rather than applying one time allowance to every property.

Does an EICR include repairs?

Inspection and testing identify and report findings. Remedial work is normally scoped and agreed separately. Any immediate safety action identified during the inspection is addressed according to the circumstances.

Does a satisfactory EICR mean the installation is maintenance free?

No. It records an assessment at the time of inspection within the report’s scope. Damage, wear and changes can occur later, so appropriate maintenance and attention to reported problems are still needed.

Does the inspection cover appliances and renewable equipment?

Those requirements need to be specified. Appliance checks are separate from the fixed installation assessment, and renewable equipment may need specialist testing in addition to inspection of its supplying circuits.

How much does electrical testing cost?

The quotation depends on the installation, extent of inspection, access and testing requirements. Send us the property details and any previous reports so that we can define an appropriate scope.