| EICR, typical UK cost | |
|---|---|
| Cost | £100 to £250 |
| Average £200 plus VAT (Checkatrade, October 2026). A 3 bed house is £150 to £250 (MyBuilder). Not Leeds quotes. | |
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) checks whether the wiring in a property is safe. Landlords in England must have one at least every 5 years. This guide sets out what an EICR costs in 2026, from two national cost guides, and what the results mean.
How much does an EICR cost?
| Property | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Any home (UK range) | £100 to £250 (average £200 plus VAT) | Checkatrade, October 2026 |
| 1 bedroom flat | £100 to £150 | MyBuilder, August 2026 |
| 2 bedroom flat | £120 to £180 | MyBuilder, August 2026 |
| 3 bedroom house | £150 to £250 | MyBuilder, August 2026 |
| 4 bedroom house | £200 to £300 | MyBuilder, August 2026 |
| 5 bedroom house | £220 to £400 | MyBuilder, August 2026 |
| Commercial premises | £30 to £50 per circuit | Checkatrade; MyBuilder |
Checkatrade’s figures for landlords start from around £100 for a flat and £250 or more for a house. Electrician rates in the same guide are £40 to £70 an hour, averaging £55, or £300 to £500 a day.
EICRs for landlords
GOV.UK guidance on the Electrical Safety Standards regulations says landlords must:
- have the electrical installation inspected and tested at least every 5 years by a properly qualified person
- give tenants proof that the inspection has been done
Since 2025 the rules also apply to the social rented sector in England. Checkatrade notes that failing to comply can mean fines of up to £30,000. In Leeds, landlords in selective licensing areas have extra conditions, covered in our selective licensing guide.
What the EICR codes mean
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| C1 | Danger present, immediate action needed |
| C2 | Potentially dangerous, urgent remedial work needed |
| FI | Further investigation needed |
| C3 | Improvement recommended, not unsafe |
A report with any C1, C2 or FI code is unsatisfactory. The faults need fixing, and landlords must get written confirmation that the work has been done.
What changes the price?
- Number of circuits and the size of the property
- Age and condition of the wiring, as older installations take longer to test
- Access to the consumer unit, sockets and lofts
- Remedial work, which is quoted separately
What happens during an EICR
An electrician carries out an inspection and testing of the electrical installation. That usually includes the consumer unit, a sample of sockets, switches and light fittings, and testing each circuit for faults. The number of circuits and the property size are the main things that set the time taken. The electrician then writes the EICR report, listing any faults with a code.
EICR for homeowners
Homeowners do not have a legal requirement to get an EICR, but one is worth considering when you buy an older property, before a renovation, or if the wiring is over 25 years old. It gives peace of mind and tells you whether remedial work is needed before you decorate.
How long is an EICR valid?
For rented homes in England, GOV.UK guidance says at least every 5 years. For owner occupied homes, electricians usually recommend every 10 years. The report itself states when the next inspection is due.
Saving money on an EICR
- Book several properties together if you are a landlord.
- Clear access to the consumer unit and sockets before the visit.
- Ask for a fixed price, not an hourly estimate.
- Ask whether remedial work found on the day can be done straight away.
For registered local electricians, see our list of electricians in Leeds.
Questions people ask
How much does an EICR cost?
Checkatrade puts most EICRs at £100 to £250, averaging £200 plus VAT. MyBuilder gives £100 to £300 for homes, depending on size.
How much is an EICR for a 3 bedroom house?
MyBuilder gives £150 to £250 for a 3 bedroom house. A 1 bedroom flat is about £100 to £150.
How often do landlords need an EICR?
GOV.UK guidance says landlords must have the electrics in rented homes checked at least every 5 years by a qualified person, and give tenants proof. Since 2025 this also covers social landlords in England.
What happens if an EICR fails?
The report will list faults coded C1 (danger present) or C2 (potentially dangerous), or FI (further investigation). These must be fixed and the work confirmed before the installation is satisfactory. C3 items are recommendations.
How long does an EICR take?
A typical house usually takes a few hours, depending on the number of circuits and how easy they are to reach.