An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is a legally required inspection for rental properties and a sensible precaution for any homeowner. But how much should you pay? Prices in London vary enormously — here's what you should actually expect to pay in 2026.
EICR prices in London at a glance
| Property type | Guide price (+ VAT) |
|---|---|
| 1-bed flat | £150–£200 |
| 2-bed house or flat | £175–£225 |
| 3-bed house | £199–£275 |
| 4-bed+ house | £249–£350 |
| HMO (per room) | From £30–£50 extra per room |
| Commercial property | From £299 — quoted on size |
All prices above are exclusive of VAT. At Royal Docks Electrical we charge £185 + VAT for a standard 1-bed flat EICR and £195 + VAT for a 2–3 bed property (studio flats from £165 + VAT).
What affects the price of an EICR?
EICR costs vary based on a few key factors:
- Number of circuits — an electrician must test every circuit individually. A small flat might have 5–6 circuits; a large house could have 12 or more.
- Age of the installation — older wiring takes longer to test safely and carefully.
- Access — if fuse boards are in difficult locations, or if sockets are behind heavy furniture, this adds time.
- Location — London prices are typically 20–30% higher than the national average due to higher costs of living and travel.
- Whether remedial work is needed — the EICR itself is a fixed-price inspection. Any remedial work required is quoted separately.
What does an EICR include?
A properly carried out EICR covers:
- Visual inspection of all visible wiring, sockets, light fittings and switches
- Testing of every circuit in the consumer unit (fuse board)
- Testing of earthing and bonding
- RCD (residual current device) testing
- A written report rating each observation as C1 (dangerous), C2 (potentially dangerous), C3 (recommended improvement) or FI (further investigation required)
- A pass or fail outcome — properties with C1 or C2 observations are failed
How long does an EICR take?
Most residential EICRs take 2–4 hours depending on property size. A small flat can be done in under 2 hours; a large HMO with many rooms and circuits could take a full day.
Can a cheap EICR be trusted?
Be cautious of prices significantly below the ranges above. Cutting corners on an EICR typically means not testing all circuits, or skipping the time-consuming physical checks. A rushed or incomplete EICR still produces a certificate — but it won't give you or your tenants any real assurance of safety.
Always use a qualified electrician (City & Guilds or equivalent) and ask for a sample report format before booking.
Is an EICR a legal requirement?
For landlords in England, yes — since July 2020, all privately rented properties must have a valid EICR (renewed at least every 5 years — a new tenancy just needs a valid one in place). Failure to comply can result in fines of up to £30,000.
For homeowners, EICRs are not legally required but are strongly recommended when buying an older property or if you haven't had one in the last 10 years.
Need an EICR in London?
We offer EICR certificates from £185 + VAT for a 1-bed flat (studios from £165). Same-day certificate issue available (+£40). City & Guilds qualified.
Call 020 7473 7807Frequently asked questions about EICR cost
No — the EICR is the inspection and report only. If the inspection identifies C1 or C2 faults that need fixing, these are quoted separately. However, we often carry out minor remedial work on the same visit to save you another appointment.
We typically have availability within 2–5 working days for routine EICRs. For urgent landlord compliance certificates (e.g. before a new tenancy starts), call us and we'll do our best to accommodate same-week or next-day visits.
Yes — HMOs (houses in multiple occupation) have more circuits and rooms to test, so the price is higher. We quote HMOs individually based on the number of rooms and circuits.
Ready to book? Our EICR certificate service has fixed prices, same-week appointments, with same-day certificate issue available (+£40).