If you own or manage a commercial property, an EICR is one of those line items that turns up every few years and quietly eats your budget. The pricing landscape in the UK is opaque, the scope varies wildly between contractors, and the difference between a fair quote and a rip-off can be hundreds of pounds.
This is a straight read on what an EICR actually costs in 2026, what you should be getting for the money, and where most people overpay.
What is an EICR?
An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is a formal inspection and test of the fixed electrical installation in a property. A qualified electrician checks the consumer unit, wiring, sockets, switches, lighting circuits, earthing and bonding, and classifies any defects:
- C1: Danger present. Immediate action required.
- C2: Potentially dangerous. Urgent remedial work needed.
- C3: Improvement recommended. Not dangerous, but should be addressed.
- FI: Further investigation required.
The output is a written report and a certificate, valid up to 5 years for most commercial properties (less for higher-risk environments).
How much does an EICR cost in 2026?
Costs vary by property size, number of circuits, age of installation and region. As a guide for 2026:
| Property type | Typical EICR cost (UK) |
|---|---|
| 1-bed flat (residential let) | £120-£180 |
| 3-bed house (residential let) | £180-£250 |
| Small office or retail unit | £250-£500 |
| Mid-size office (10-20 circuits) | £400-£800 |
| Larger commercial site (40+ circuits) | £900-£2,500+ |
| Industrial / multi-distribution-board site | £1,500+ (quoted) |
London and the South East tend to sit at the higher end. The Midlands, North and Scotland tend to sit lower. Rural locations can also incur travel charges.
What should be included
A proper EICR quote should cover:
- The visual inspection
- Live testing of every circuit
- Earth fault loop impedance testing
- Insulation resistance testing
- RCD testing
- Continuity testing
- The written report and EICR certificate
- A copy stored against the property (if your contractor uses a platform like Avero FM Works)
Anything less and you're being sold a partial inspection.
What's NOT included
The EICR itself is just the inspection. Any remedial works needed to address C1, C2 or FI items are quoted separately. This is where the bill can grow significantly.
Things to watch for:
- Overuse of C2 codes. Some contractors classify items as C2 when they could fairly be C3, then quote remedial works to "fix" them. Get a second opinion if the C2 list looks long.
- Vague remedial quotes. A good remedial quote breaks down by item, with parts and labour split. "£2,400 to address EICR items" is not a quote.
- Disruption charges. If your site needs out-of-hours access, expect a surcharge. Confirm this upfront.
How often does a commercial EICR need to be done?
For most commercial properties, every 5 years, or earlier if:
- There has been a change of occupancy
- Significant alterations have been made to the installation
- The previous EICR identified issues that warranted earlier reinspection
- The property is higher-risk (swimming pools, industrial, certain healthcare or educational settings)
For private rented residential properties in England, the legal requirement is every 5 years (since 2020). Scotland and Wales have similar regimes.
How to get an honest EICR quote
Three rules:
- Get the contractor's NICEIC or NAPIT number. Verify it on the registration body's website. If they're not registered, walk away.
- Get the quote in writing with the scope listed. Should include number of circuits to be tested, whether out-of-hours, and any travel charges.
- Ask how the certificate and report are delivered. A modern contractor will issue these the same day, digitally, stored against your property. If they're emailing a PDF three weeks later, that's not the level of service you should accept.
How Avero handles EICR
Avero coordinates EICR testing through our Avero FM Approved network of NICEIC and NAPIT registered contractors. Pricing is transparent, the scope is documented, and the certificate plus full report land in Avero FM Works against your property the same day. Remedial works are quoted from site, you approve in a tap, dispatched immediately.
If you've got an EICR coming up across one property or a portfolio, get in touch for a quote, or read more about our commercial electrical service.