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How Long Does an EICR Take? A London Electrician Explains
If you own a home, rent out a property, or run a business in London, you have probably heard about an EICR. It stands for Electrical Installation Condition Report, and it is basically a full health check on the wiring and electrics within your building. One of the first questions people ask when we arrive for a job or enquire on our site is “how long is this going to take?”
The honest answer is that it depends on the size and condition of the property. In this guide we will walk you through the typical timings, what happens during the inspection, and the things that can make it quicker or slower.
What Is an EICR in Plain English?
An EICR, short for “Electrical Installation Condition Report” is an inspection carried out by a qualified electrician. We check the condition of your sockets, switches, consumer unit (the fuse box), wiring, and earthing throughout the whole property. The goal of an EICR is to spot anything that could be unsafe, outdated, or not up to current standards.
At the end of the inspection, you will receive a report that tells you whether your installation is satisfactory or unsatisfactory outlined though EICR Classification Codes C1, C2, C3 and FI.
If you are a Landlord in England, you are legally required to have an EICR every five years, and many homeowners get one at the time of buying or selling a property.
Typical EICR Timings by Property Type
Every property is different, but here are the rough times we give most customers in London.
Studio flat or one bedroom flat
Around 2 to 3 hours. These are usually the quickest jobs because there are fewer circuits, sockets, and lights to test.
Two or three bedroom flat or house
Between 3 and 4 hours. This is the most common type of property we inspect, and the timing is fairly consistent.
Four or five bedroom house
Around 4 to 6 hours. Larger homes often have more circuits, outbuildings, garden lighting, and sometimes older wiring mixed in with new work, which all adds time.
Small shop or office
Between 4 and 6 hours. Commercial spaces tend to have more complex setups, three phase supplies in some cases, and extra equipment that needs checking.
Larger commercial building
A full day or more. Big premises with multiple floors or lots of machinery can sometimes stretch across two days.
What Happens During the Inspection?
A lot of people think an EICR just involves an electrician walking around and glancing at things however, it is actually far more thorough than that, which is why it takes a few hours on average to complete. Here’s what you can expect during an EICR inspection:
First, we turn the power off at the consumer unit so we can work safely. This means you will be without electricity for most of the visit, so it is a good idea to charge your phone and laptop beforehand and maybe move anything perishable out of the fridge if the job is going to be a long one.
Next, we open the consumer unit to check the breakers, wiring connections, and earthing. we then test each circuit in the property one by one. This includes checking insulation resistance, earth continuity, and whether the safety devices called RCDs trip when they should.
We will also take the covers off several sockets and switches to check the wiring behind them. We also look at light fittings, extractor fans, outdoor sockets, and anything else connected to the mains. Once the testing is done, we will then write up the findings and produce the report.
What Can Make an EICR Take Longer?
There are a few things that tend to push the time up. If the property has old or unusual wiring, such as rubber insulated cables or an old fuse box with rewireable fuses.
Properties with lots of extensions, loft conversions, or garden offices also take longer because there are more circuits to test. Limited access is another common issue. If sockets are behind heavy furniture, or the consumer unit is boxed in, we will have to work around this.
If previous work has been done poorly or without proper records, we often must trace circuits to work out what actually goes where. On the flip side, a well-kept property with clear labelling and easy access can come in under the estimated time.
How to Help the Job Go Smoothly
You can actually shave time off the visit by doing a few simple things before your electrician arrives. Try to clear access to sockets, switches, and the consumer unit. Let the tenants know if the property is rented, so nobody is caught off guard when the power goes off. If you have any old paperwork from past electrical work, having it ready can save a lot of guesswork.
It also helps to plan around the outage. If you work from home, consider booking the inspection for a day when you can work elsewhere, or at least save your files regularly before we start.
When Will You Get the Report?
Most electricians, S&B Electrical included, will send the finished report within 24 to 48 hours of the inspection. Some can produce it on the spot using a tablet, but a more detailed report often needs a bit of time to write up properly. If anything, dangerous is found, you will be told straight away on the day, not left to find out later.
Final Thoughts
So how long does an EICR take? For most homes in London, you are looking at somewhere between 2 and 4 hours, with larger or more complex properties taking longer. It is not a quick job, but it is a proper one, and the peace of mind at the end is well worth the few hours without power.
If you are a landlord getting one done for compliance, or a homeowner who just wants to be sure everything is safe, booking with a qualified electrician such as us is the best step you can take. If you have any questions or want to book an EICR in London, feel free to get in touch and we can talk through what your property needs and provide a quote.
