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How long does an EICR take? For most homes the honest answer is between one and three hours on site. The reason for that range has nothing to do with how many bedrooms a property has. What actually drives the time is the number of circuits, the condition of the installation, and how much access is available on the day.
A four bedroom house with 10 clean, well maintained circuits can be finished faster than a two bedroom flat that has been extended and modified over 40 years and now carries 18 circuits in varying condition. Bedroom count is a useful rough guide for quoting. It is not what decides how long the job actually takes.
At Faithful Spark Electricians we carry out hundreds of EICRs every year across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. Our clients include one of the largest housing associations in Scotland, local and national landlords, care homes and hospitals in Aberdeen, leasing agents, businesses and homeowners across the North East. Many of those clients audit every certificate we produce. The standard we work to is not the minimum required. It is the standard that holds up under scrutiny.
We use TradeCert AI software to handle reporting in real time as testing progresses. There is no compiling results in the van afterwards. By the time the last circuit is tested, the schedule of test results is complete. That lets us move efficiently through the inspection without compromising accuracy or documentation quality.
This guide covers what an EICR actually involves, what drives the time, what the codes on your certificate mean, what it costs in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, and what Scottish law requires if you are a landlord.
How Long Does an EICR Take? The Honest Answer
Most online guides give you a table based on bedroom count. That is a simplification, and in our experience it sets the wrong expectations. The time is driven by three things.
- Number of circuits. Each circuit is tested individually. A property with 10 circuits takes roughly half the time of one with 20, everything else being equal. A modern house built in the last 15 years typically has 10 to 12 circuits. An older Aberdeen property that has had extensions, loft conversions and assorted modifications over the decades can carry a good deal more.
- Condition of the installation. A clean installation with no observations to document is much faster than one with a long list of faults. Documenting, photographing and categorising each observation takes time and cannot be rushed if the report is to be accurate.
- Access. We need to physically reach every circuit to test it. Locked rooms, inaccessible loft spaces and outbuildings all affect what can be covered. Anything that cannot be reached is recorded as a limitation on the report. The certificate can still be satisfactory with limitations noted. That is different from an FI code, which applies when something has been accessed and the result raises a question that needs further investigation.
As a rough guide based on our own jobs:
| Property Type | Typical On Site Duration |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom flat | 1 to 1.5 hours |
| 2 bedroom house or flat | 1.5 to 2.5 hours |
| 3 bedroom house | 1.5 to 3 hours |
| 4 bedroom house | 2.5 to 4 hours |
| Any property with multiple consumer units, outbuildings or complex modifications | Add 30 to 60 minutes per additional board |
If you are comparing quotes, asking how many circuits the property has gives you a far more meaningful basis for comparison than asking about bedroom count.
Quick tip: Ask any electrician quoting for an EICR how many circuits your board has, not how many bedrooms. Circuit count is what actually drives both the time and the price.
What We Are Actually Doing During an EICR
This is the part most guides skim over. Here is what the process looks like from start to finish.
Visual Inspection First
Before any test equipment comes out, we work through a thorough visual inspection. We are looking at:
- The consumer unit: the type and condition of the enclosure, the protective devices fitted, any signs of overheating or arcing, and whether all spare ways are blanked off.
- Earthing and main protective bonding: earth conductors correctly sized, bonding in place on metallic water and gas pipework where it enters the building.
- Accessible wiring throughout the property: condition, correct support, and no signs of mechanical damage.
- Every accessory in every room: sockets, switches and light fittings, checked for damage, signs of heat, loose fixings and accessible live parts.
On older properties the visual stage tells us a great deal before a single test is run. A board with rewirable fuses, no RCD protection and rubber insulated cables coming out of the top is a fundamentally different inspection to a modern all RCBO board in a house built in 2015.
Testing Every Circuit
Once the visual is complete, we work through each circuit one at a time:
- Isolate at the consumer unit.
- Continuity test on the protective conductor, confirming the earth path is intact from the board to every accessory on that circuit.
- Insulation resistance test, confirming the conductors are properly insulated from each other and from earth.
- Polarity verification at a representative sample of accessories.
- Restore the supply and confirm operation.
With TradeCert, test results are captured as each test is completed. The schedule builds automatically throughout the job. No transcribing from paper, no rewriting results, just data that is accurate and a report that reflects exactly what was found.
Testing the Protective Devices
Every RCD and RCBO in the consumer unit is tested with a calibrated loop tester to confirm it operates within the required time under a simulated fault condition. A protective device that is fitted but does not operate correctly offers no protection at all. We regularly test boards where an RCD has been in place for 15 to 20 years and has never been tested since installation. Sometimes they pass. Sometimes they do not.
Limitations
If an area or accessory cannot be reached, it is recorded as a limitation on the report, along with the reason and the name of the person with whom that limitation was agreed, as required by BS 7671 and Electrical Safety First’s Best Practice Guide 10. The certificate can still be satisfactory with limitations noted. Limitations are not the same as FI codes.
EICR Codes: What They Mean and What They Do Not Mean
The codes on an EICR decide whether the certificate is satisfactory and what action is required. They are defined in Electrical Safety First‘s Best Practice Guide 4, the industry agreed standard for EICR coding endorsed by NICEIC and the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
C1, Danger present. Risk of injury. Immediate remedial action required. Something on the installation poses a genuine risk of injury during normal use. Examples include exposed live parts that can be touched, incorrect polarity at the origin of the installation, or a missing blanking piece in a consumer unit that leaves live parts accessible. When we find a C1, the situation is made safe before we leave. That is a legal requirement under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. The EICR is unsatisfactory.
C2, Potentially dangerous. Urgent remedial action required. Not an immediate danger, but something that would become one if a fault or other foreseeable event occurred. Absence of effective main protective bonding, a socket with no earth connection, insulation that has deteriorated to the point of readily breaking away from the conductors, or a ring final circuit with a discontinuous conductor. These are all C2 territory. The EICR is unsatisfactory.
C3, Improvement recommended. This does not make the EICR unsatisfactory. A C3 means the installation does not meet current best practice but is not dangerous. Per Best Practice Guide 4, if there are no C1, C2 or FI observations, it would not be reasonable to report the overall condition as unsatisfactory. An older property can carry several C3s and still receive a satisfactory certificate.
FI, Further investigation required without delay. Used when an observation could reasonably be expected to reveal danger or potential danger but cannot be fully determined within the agreed scope. FI is not used simply because access was unavailable. That is a limitation. Where an FI is recorded, the overall outcome is unsatisfactory.
The Overcoding Problem
We carry out hundreds of EICRs each year for clients who audit every certificate, including housing associations and care providers. Correct coding is something we take seriously, and it means we are well placed to spot when other reports contain observations coded more seriously than the condition warrants. Best Practice Guide 4 lists specific examples of correct and incorrect coding. Some of what we regularly see misapplied:
- Missing earth sleeving behind a switch, coded C2. The Guide lists a bare protective conductor that is not sleeved with insulation as a non compliance note, not a C2, and in most cases not even a C3. The earth conductor is present and connected. Absent sleeving is not a source of potential danger.
- No bathroom extractor fan, given an EICR code. Ventilation is a building regulations matter, not an electrical safety matter. The Guide is explicit that observations not directly related to electrical safety should not appear as codes. A missing fan has no EICR classification.
- Worn but functional switches, coded C2. Unless live parts are actually accessible through the damage, a worn switch that still operates correctly is at most a C3. Cosmetic wear is not potential danger. Overcoding on this basis turns satisfactory EICRs into unsatisfactory ones and creates needless remedial costs.
If you have received an EICR with observations that do not look right to you, get in touch and we are happy to review what they mean before you spend money acting on them. If your report has already come back failed, our guide on what to do when an EICR is unsatisfactory walks through the next steps.
How Much Does an EICR Cost in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire?
Our pricing starts at £150 + VAT for the main consumer unit and the first five circuits. Each additional circuit is £15 + VAT. A second consumer unit, serving a garage, outbuilding or second dwelling, is £70 + VAT plus £15 + VAT per circuit on that board.
Worked example: a three bedroom house with one consumer unit and 12 circuits. £150 + VAT covers the first five circuits. The seven additional circuits at £15 + VAT each come to £105 + VAT. Total: £255 + VAT.
Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire rates sit at the higher end of the Scottish market. That reflects local operating costs, the cost of maintaining calibrated test equipment, NICEIC Approved Contractor status, and professional indemnity and public liability insurance appropriate for the scale of work we carry out, including contracts with housing associations, care providers and hospitals.
How EICR Costs Compare Across the UK
| Region | Typical 3 Bed EICR Cost |
|---|---|
| London and South East | £150 to £300 |
| Midlands and North England | £100 to £200 |
| Scotland (average) | £120 to £220 |
| Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire (Faithful Spark rates) | From £150 + VAT, per circuit model |
The per circuit model is more transparent than a flat rate. A flat rate quote for a three bedroom house does not account for the difference between 9 circuits and 20. Our model means you pay for what the job actually requires.
Be cautious of very low quotes. An EICR advertised at £60 to £80 for any property cannot realistically cover the time, the properly calibrated test equipment and the qualifications a thorough inspection requires. In our experience these jobs are either cut short or the certificate is produced without the testing that should sit behind it. A certificate produced without proper testing has no value and no legal standing.
EICR Rules for Scottish Landlords
Scotland has some of the clearest and most consistently enforced private rented sector electrical safety legislation in the UK.
- The legal basis. The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 and the Repairing Standard require private landlords to keep the electrical installation in a reasonable state of repair and in proper working order. Since April 2021 this means a valid EICR carried out by a qualified person.
- Frequency. Every five years, or before each new tenancy begins if that falls sooner.
- Giving copies to tenants. A copy of the EICR must be given to the tenant before the tenancy starts. For existing tenancies, the tenant must receive a copy within 28 days of the inspection.
- If the EICR is unsatisfactory. All required remedial work must be completed within 28 days of the inspection date, or sooner if the report specifies it. Written confirmation of the completed work must go to both the tenant and the relevant local authority within 28 days of completion.
- Record keeping. The EICR must be retained for six years.
- Fines. Non compliance carries a fine of up to £5,000 for a first offence. Continued non compliance after a local authority notice can lead to a civil penalty of up to £30,000.
If you let property in the North East, our landlord electrician service in Aberdeen covers EICRs and any remedial work in one place. For landlords in England, the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 set broadly similar requirements. Wales has its own Fitness for Human Habitation framework. If you are outside Scotland, check the legislation for your jurisdiction.
Do Homeowners Need an EICR?
There is no legal requirement for an owner occupier to have an EICR. BS 7671 and Electrical Safety First both recommend that domestic installations are inspected every 10 years, or every five years for properties over 25 years old.
In practice there are situations where we would always recommend one, whatever the last inspection date says:
- Buying an older property. A pre purchase EICR tells you what the electrical installation looks like before you complete. Finding out you need a full rewire after moving in is a very different financial position to knowing before you exchange.
- After significant electrical work by someone else. If work has been done and you want independent verification that it was carried out correctly, an EICR gives you that.
- Visible signs of deterioration. Flickering lights, RCDs tripping repeatedly with no obvious cause, sockets that feel warm, or discolouration around accessories. Any of these is worth investigating. Our guide to whether your fuse box is safe covers the warning signs in more detail.
- Before or after a major renovation. If walls have been opened up or circuits significantly disturbed, an EICR gives you a clean baseline going forward.
How to Prepare for Your EICR
- Make sure we can access every part of the property. Every room, loft, garage, outbuilding and secondary consumer unit. If there is a circuit running to a garden office or shed, we need to reach it.
- Know where all your consumer units are. In older properties, boards have sometimes been moved, added to or partly decommissioned. Knowing where they all are before we arrive saves time.
- Have your previous EICR to hand if you have one. It helps us understand what was flagged before, what remedial work was carried out and how the installation has changed since.
- Clear access to the consumer unit. If the board sits in a cupboard that has not been opened in years, clearing the space before we arrive gets the job moving faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an EICR take on a 3 bed house?
Between 1.5 and 3 hours in most cases, depending on the number of circuits and the condition of the installation. Bedroom count is only a rough guide. It is the circuit count and installation condition that actually drive the time. We use TradeCert AI reporting software, so the schedule of test results is completed in real time during testing rather than afterwards.
Does an EICR turn off my power?
Not entirely, and not for long at a time. Individual circuits are isolated one at a time for testing, usually for 10 to 20 minutes each, while the rest of the installation stays live. Most occupants carry on with their day without much disruption.
Will I get the certificate on the day?
In most cases yes. TradeCert builds the schedule of test results in real time as testing progresses, so the certificate is usually issued the same day. If the installation has a large number of observations to document, it may take one to two working days.
What happens if my EICR is unsatisfactory?
An EICR is unsatisfactory only if it contains a C1, C2 or FI code. Remedial work is required to address those observations. Once the work is done, a minor electrical works certificate or a new EICR confirms the installation is satisfactory. For Scottish landlords, remedial work must be completed within 28 days and written confirmation provided to the tenant and local authority.
Can any electrician carry out an EICR in Scotland?
The work must be done by a qualified person who is competent in inspection and testing. The recognised qualification is the City and Guilds 2391-52. Before you book, ask what qualification the electrician holds and whether they are registered with a competent persons scheme. NICEIC registration means the electrician’s work is subject to ongoing assessment.
How often do I need an EICR in Scotland?
Private landlords need one every five years, or before each new tenancy. Owner occupiers are advised by BS 7671 and Electrical Safety First to have one every 10 years, or every five years for properties over 25 years old.
What is the difference between a satisfactory and an unsatisfactory EICR?
An EICR is only unsatisfactory if it contains a C1, C2 or FI code. Per Best Practice Guide 4, if there are no C1, C2 or FI observations, it would not be reasonable to report the installation as unsatisfactory. A property with several C3 observations can and should receive a satisfactory certificate.
Is an EICR the same as a PAT test?
No. A PAT test covers portable appliances such as kettles, extension leads and desk lamps. An EICR covers the fixed electrical installation: the wiring in the walls and ceilings, the consumer unit, sockets, light fittings, and the earthing and bonding. They are entirely separate and one does not stand in for the other.
Book an EICR in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire
Whether you are a landlord meeting the Repairing Standard, a homeowner buying an older property, or a business that needs certification that stands up to audit, we carry out EICRs across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and the wider North East. You get accurate coding, a certificate issued the same day in most cases, and honest advice on anything we find. Learn more about our electrical inspection and testing service or visit our dedicated EICR Aberdeen page.
Faithful Spark Electricians is an NICEIC Approved Contractor carrying out EICRs across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
