What Is an EICR?
Written by James Walker · Last reviewed 15 August 2026
James Walker has 2 degrees in construction (BSc (Hons) Building Surveying · MSc Environmental Design of Buildings) and an extensive background in issue resolution, resolving over £4 billion of consumer issues.
An EICR, Electrical Installation Condition Report, is an inspection of an existing electrical installation, reporting its condition and identifying anything unsafe or not meeting current standards.
What it tells you
Whether the installation is safe to continue using, and what needs attention. Findings are coded by urgency, from things requiring immediate action, through improvements recommended, to items simply noted.
The overall result is recorded as satisfactory or unsatisfactory.
Why to get one
Because age is not the test, condition is.
Homeowners are frequently told an older house "needs a rewire". Sometimes that is right. Often the installation is sound and targeted work is enough. An EICR is how you find out, and it costs a fraction of a rewire.
It is also useful before buying a property, before major work, and where you have inherited an installation of unknown history.
Who can carry one out
A qualified electrician competent in inspection and testing. Check their scheme registration.
One caution
Where the electrician carrying out the report is also quoting for the remedial work, the same conflict applies as with damp surveys. On a large recommendation, a second opinion is reasonable.
How it works
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