If you’ve been told you need an EICR, or you’re thinking of booking one for your home, it’s important to understand that not all EICRs are carried out to the same standard.
An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is essentially the MOT for your home’s electrical system. Done properly, it keeps your family safe and gives you peace of mind that the wiring behind your walls is in good condition.
But just like an MOT, the quality of the inspection depends entirely on the person doing it. A poorly completed EICR can be misleading, inaccurate, or even dangerous if major issues are overlooked—or if faults are exaggerated by someone trying to make extra work for themselves.
In this article, we’ll break down what a good EICR involves, why it takes time, and how to spot when someone may not be doing the job properly.
What Exactly Is an EICR?
An EICR checks the condition and safety of your electrical installation. During a proper inspection, the electrician should:
- Carry out a thorough visual inspection of sockets, switches, lights, the consumer unit, and any visible wiring.
- Use testing equipment to check:
- Earth and fault protection
- Insulation resistance
- Polarity (whether circuits are wired correctly)
- RCD performance and safety
Record any problems using recognised codes:
- C1 – Danger present, requires immediate action.
- C2 – Potentially dangerous, needs fixing soon.
- C3 – Improvement recommended, not dangerous but could be safer.
- FI – Further investigation required, more testing needed.
This information is written into your report so you know what needs attention and how urgently.
A well-done EICR gives you a clear, honest picture of your home’s electrical safety. A poorly done one leaves you in the dark.
A Proper EICR Takes Time — If It’s Done Right
This is one of the biggest red flags when comparing quotes.
A quality EICR on an average-sized home takes at least 3–4 hours, and often longer for larger properties or houses with many circuits. Why? Because every circuit has to be tested properly – not guessed, not sampled, but tested.
A rushed inspection simply cannot provide accurate results.
Here’s what should happen during that time:
- Every circuit is powered down, isolated and tested individually
- Sockets and fixtures are opened where necessary to inspect connections
- Protective devices are tested for disconnection times and RCD tripping speeds
- The electrician cross-checks the wiring layout and looks for previous DIY or unsafe work
- Notes, measurements, and observations are written up accurately
If someone claims they can do a full EICR in an hour, or offers one at a suspiciously low price, it’s almost certain the inspection will not be done properly.
Why You Should Be Careful When Choosing Someone to Do an EICR
1. Some reports are rushed or incomplete
Unfortunately, some “inspectors” simply take a quick walk around, press a few buttons, and issue a report without doing the full testing. This might look like an EICR on paper, but it fails to identify real issues – meaning you may believe your home is safe when it’s not.
2. Some reports exaggerate faults
At the other end of the scale, an EICR can be written to make the installation appear worse than it is. This often happens when someone offers a very cheap inspection and then hopes to make money back by quoting unnecessary remedial work.
A quality electrician will explain why something has been coded, where the issue is located, and what the safest solution is.
3. Poor testing leads to incorrect coding
The coding system (C1, C2, C3, FI) is essential for understanding your home’s safety. If your electrician isn’t experienced or skips steps, they may:
- Miss serious issues that pose a risk
- Mark things as unsafe when they’re actually compliant
- Issue “standard” or copied wording without explanation
A proper report should be clear, detailed, and personalised to your home.
What a Good EICR Report Looks Like
You should expect:
✓ Clear explanations of each defect
✓ Correct, justified coding
✓ Precise locations of issues (e.g. “socket in kitchen left of oven”)
✓ Measured test results
✓ Recommendations that are actually appropriate
A good report gives you confidence, not confusion.
Why This Matters So Much
Electrical faults are one of the leading causes of domestic fires in the UK. Many homes in Grimsby and the surrounding villages still have older wiring, outdated fuse boxes, DIY additions, or unseen deterioration.
A properly completed EICR helps prevent:
- Electric shock
- Fire hazards
- Overloaded circuits
- Faulty wiring going unnoticed
- Expensive repairs later
Your home is likely your biggest asset—an accurate EICR protects it.
How to Choose the Right Electrician for Your EICR
Here are some simple checks:
✔ Ask how long the EICR will take
If the answer is less than 3 hours for a typical house, that’s a red flag.
✔ Ask what testing will be carried out
You should hear about circuit testing, RCD checks, insulation resistance, etc.
✔ Check they are NICEIC registered
This ensures competence and accountability.
✔ Ask for a sample report
A proper EICR should look detailed—not just a few lines.
✔ Read recent reviews
Local reputation matters. Homeowners in our area value safety and professionalism, which is why we always provide transparent, thorough EICRs backed by clear explanations.
Final Thoughts
An EICR is only as good as the person carrying it out. A cheap or rushed inspection can give you a false sense of security – or lead to unnecessary costs. A thorough, properly conducted EICR takes time, expertise, and attention to detail.
If you want peace of mind, clear results, and an honest assessment of your home’s electrical safety, choose an electrician who treats your property with the same care they’d want for their own.
