If you own or manage a commercial property in East London — a shop, office, restaurant, warehouse or any other business premises — you need a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). Many business owners are unsure exactly what this involves, how often they need one, or what it costs. This guide covers all of it.
What is a commercial EICR?
An EICR (also called a periodic inspection) is a formal inspection and test of a property's fixed electrical installation — the wiring, distribution boards, sockets, switches and light fittings. A qualified electrician tests every circuit in the building to assess whether it's safe and compliant with the current wiring regulations (BS 7671 18th Edition).
At the end of the inspection you receive a written report classifying any faults as:
- C1 — Danger present: immediate action required
- C2 — Potentially dangerous: urgent remedial action needed
- C3 — Improvement recommended: not immediately dangerous but should be addressed
- FI — Further investigation required: more investigation needed before a rating can be given
A report with only C3 codes receives a Satisfactory result. Any C1 or C2 means the report comes back Unsatisfactory and remedial work must be carried out.
How is a commercial EICR different from a domestic one?
The inspection process is fundamentally the same, but commercial premises are typically more complex. A restaurant or office may have:
- Three-phase electrical supplies rather than single-phase
- A much larger number of circuits (lighting, power, HVAC, catering equipment)
- Potentially dangerous environments (wet areas, high-heat kitchens, areas with flammable materials)
- Data and communications infrastructure running alongside power wiring
- Emergency lighting and fire alarm systems that need separate testing
A domestic EICR on a 2-bedroom flat takes around 2–3 hours. A commercial EICR on a 2,000 sq ft office with 30 circuits could take a full day. Pricing reflects this — always ask for a site-specific quote rather than a generic price.
How often does a commercial property need an EICR?
The recommended and legally recognised intervals for commercial properties under BS 7671 are:
- Offices and retail: every 5 years
- Restaurants, cafés and takeaways: every 5 years (some insurers require every 3 years due to the kitchen environment)
- Industrial premises and warehouses: every 3 years
- Launderettes: every year
- Change of tenancy or ownership: a new EICR is strongly recommended regardless of when the last one was done
For commercial landlords, the legal picture is slightly different from residential landlords (where EICR is a strict legal requirement). Commercial landlords are generally covered by the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, which require that all electrical systems are maintained in a safe condition — in practice, a regular EICR is the accepted way to demonstrate compliance.
What does a commercial EICR cost in East London?
It's impossible to give a one-size-fits-all price for commercial EICRs because the cost depends on the number of circuits, the size of the premises, and the complexity of the installation. As a rough guide, typical London market rates look like this (we quote every commercial job individually):
- Small retail unit or café (single phase, under 15 circuits): from around £250–£350
- Medium office or restaurant (20–40 circuits): from around £400–£650
- Large premises or three-phase supply: from around £700 upwards — priced on survey
We always provide a fixed price before starting. Call us on 020 7473 7807 with details of your premises and we'll give you an accurate quote quickly.
Can you work around our trading hours?
Yes — for planned commercial inspections we can carry out work in the evening or at weekends to avoid disruption to your business. We work with restaurants, offices and retail premises across East London and are experienced at fitting around trading schedules. Just mention your preferred timing when you enquire.
What happens if the EICR comes back unsatisfactory?
If the report identifies C1 or C2 faults, remedial electrical work is required before the installation can be signed off as satisfactory. We can quote for any remedial work immediately and, for minor issues, carry out repairs on the same visit. We will never pressure you into unnecessary work — the report itemises each observation separately so you can see exactly what needs fixing and why.
Areas we cover for commercial EICRs
We carry out commercial EICRs across East and Central London including: