What Happens During an EICR? Checks, Duration and Preparation

During an EICR, a qualified inspector visually examines and electrically tests the fixed installation, then records its condition, findings and limitations in a report.

The visit combines physical checks with measurements, using BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 and IET Guidance Note 3 as technical references. Duration depends on the installation, available access and what the inspection reveals. For landlords, agents, homeowners and businesses booking with EICR Certificates London, preparation means identifying the areas to inspect, providing records and planning interruptions. The resulting assessment describes the electrical condition found; its outcome cannot be promised beforehand.

The EICR Visit, from Arrival to Report

An EICR visit involves agreeing the scope, inspecting the installation, safely isolating supplies for dead tests, completing appropriate live tests and recording the findings.

Stage	Inspector’s work	What you should expect
1. Arrive	Confirm scope, previous records, access and limitations; begin visual checks.	Provide documents and entry to the agreed rooms, cupboards and boards.
2. Isolate	Inspect accessible equipment and safely isolate the relevant supplies before dead testing.	Electricity becomes unavailable to affected areas. Keep access to switchgear clear.
3. Dead tests	Measure continuity and insulation, check connections and continue appropriate visual examination.	Circuits remain isolated; sockets, lighting points and other accessories may need access.
4. Live tests	When safe, energise supplies for appropriate measurements and functional checks.	Further switching and protective-device operation can interrupt connected equipment.
5. Report	Record observations, limitations, assessment and the schedule of test results.	Discuss findings and required action; confirm contact details for receiving the documentation.

This is an illustrative sequence: the order varies with the installation and safe working needs. Visual inspection continues across relevant stages. Documentation may be completed after attendance, so leaving the property and issuing the finished report are separate events.

What Does the Electrician Inspect and Test?

The electrician assesses the fixed wiring, consumer unit, sockets, lighting, earthing, bonding and protective arrangements through inspection and testing.

An intact accessory does not establish whether its concealed connections or protective measures are sound. The agreed scope also includes fixed circuits supplying permanently connected equipment. Physical examination and instrument measurements provide complementary evidence; appliance testing requires a separate scope.

Visual Checks: Wiring, Accessories, Earthing and Protection

Visual inspection looks for damage, deterioration and unsuitable electrical arrangements in accessible parts of the installation.

Component	What the inspector assesses
Consumer unit and protective devices	Enclosure condition, exposed live parts, overheating and suitability of protection.
Visible wiring	Deteriorated insulation, physical damage, support and protection against foreseeable damage.
Sockets and switches	Cracks, scorching, secure mounting and connections where opened for examination.
Lighting accessories	Damaged fittings, unsuitable connections and accessible signs of excessive heat.
Earthing	The earthing conductor, main earthing terminal and relevant circuit protective conductor connections.
Protective bonding	Presence, adequacy and condition of required main protective bonding connections.

External observation differs from opening an accessory to examine its connections. The inspector decides what needs opening and makes that work safe; occupants should leave covers in place. Age, photographs or an absent feature alone do not determine an observation’s classification.

Electrical Tests: What the Measurements Establish

Electrical tests assess conductor continuity, insulation, polarity and protective operation that visual checks alone cannot establish.

Test	What it establishes	Power implications
Continuity	Whether protective conductors and relevant ring-final circuit conductors form the intended complete paths.	Normally performed with the circuit isolated.
Insulation resistance	Whether insulation adequately resists unwanted current between conductors or towards earth.	Dead testing; connected equipment needs consideration beforehand.
Polarity	Whether conductors are connected to the correct terminals and switching arrangements.	Dead checks and appropriate energised verification may be used.
Earth fault loop impedance	Whether the fault path supports the required operation of protective devices.	Direct measurement normally uses an energised circuit; other appropriate verification methods exist.
RCD operation	Whether residual current protection operates as required, including its disconnection time.	Energised testing deliberately trips the device, interrupting its circuits.

The inspector selects suitable methods and instruments, such as a multifunction tester, for the installation and connected equipment. These measurements support the assessment within its recorded extent; they cannot establish the condition of every concealed part.

Does an EICR Check Every Socket?

Every accessible socket should be considered in the inspection and relevant testing, but that does not mean every socket is dismantled.

Activity	What it means for sockets
External inspection	Examine accessible outlets for visible damage, overheating and unsuitable arrangements.
Relevant testing	Assess electrical connections and protection, including protective-conductor continuity, polarity and relevant fault-path checks.
Internal inspection	Open representative accessories to assess connections; concerns can justify extending the inspection.

Testing a ring final circuit and opening individual outlets answer different questions. There is no universal sampling percentage or permission to omit arbitrary circuits. Incoming supply arrangements, main earthing and bonding adequacy are not sampling exercises. Inaccessible points must appear among the recorded limitations so the reader understands what could not be assessed.

Ask the inspector:

• Which areas were inaccessible, and how did that affect the assessment?
• What was sampled and why, including any extension prompted by findings?

How Long Does an EICR Take?

An EICR’s duration depends on circuit numbers, installation complexity, access and findings, so bedroom count alone cannot determine the time required.

Factor	Why it changes the visit	Information to provide
Circuits and boards	Additional circuits and distribution boards increase the assessment scope.	Known board locations and circuit details.
Property layout	Separate floors or outbuildings affect movement and access.	Areas included in the inspection.
Access	Locked or obstructed points restrict examination.	Keys, permissions and known obstacles.
Records and identification	Unclear labels can require circuit tracing.	Previous reports, certificates and circuit schedules.
Installation condition	Unexpected defects can require closer examination or immediate safety action.	Known faults and recent alterations.
Shutdown arrangements	Occupancy and essential equipment affect testing arrangements.	Permitted interruptions and responsible contacts.

A three-bedroom house may have several boards or an outbuilding supply. A two-bedroom flat may involve unclear circuit labels or restricted cupboards. Neither description establishes a visit length.

Ask separately about attendance time, power-off periods and report delivery: they are different planning questions. An agreed estimate needs installation details, and inspection quality cannot be judged by a stopwatch alone.

Will the Power Be Switched Off?

Yes, parts of the EICR require the supply to be safely isolated, so you should plan for temporary power interruptions.

The inspector secures isolation and verifies that circuits are dead using suitable equipment, including a voltage indicator and proving unit. Energised checks follow when safe.

• Plan home working around loss of computers, internet and charging.
• Identify powered doors, gates and other access systems.
• Flag sensitive or essential equipment that cannot simply be disconnected.
• Agree interruption arrangements with the inspector and relevant duty holder.

Leave isolation to the professional. Restoration depends on safe conditions; dangerous findings may require an affected circuit to remain disconnected.

How to Prepare Your Property for the EICR

Prepare by arranging access to electrical equipment, gathering previous records and agreeing power interruptions with everyone affected.

• Confirm the scope. Identify the property and installation boundaries. In flats, distinguish the dwelling from the communal landlord installation.
• Arrange entry. Obtain keys and permissions for locked rooms, cupboards and any outbuildings included.
• Clear safe access. Make boards and electrical points reachable. Flag heavy obstructions rather than attempting unsafe lifting.
• Gather documents. Provide the previous EICR, Electrical Installation Certificates and records of subsequent work.
• Describe known problems. Mention tripping, damaged accessories, intermittent faults and alterations, including their locations.
• Discuss equipment. Identify connected loads and shutdown needs with the person responsible for them; avoid disconnecting essential equipment yourself.
• Nominate a contact. Agree who can answer questions about access, scope and findings during attendance.

Occupants do not need to expose wiring or remove accessories. Explain unresolved access restrictions before the appointment.

Who Can Carry Out an EICR?

An EICR should be carried out by someone qualified and competent in inspecting and testing the installation concerned.

Relevant experience must suit the property and electrical systems involved. Your EICR is carried out by a NICEIC-registered engineer.

• Confirm the identity of the attending inspector.
• Ask about inspection qualifications and experience with comparable installations.
• Check relevant registration against the details supplied.

Registration supports your checks; a particular scheme is not the only legal route. See how to check who can carry out your EICR.

What You Receive After the Inspection

You receive an Electrical Installation Condition Report recording the assessment, inspection scope, limitations, observations and supporting schedules.

Your report emailed as a PDF. Check that the document contains:

• The property identification and inspector’s details.
• The inspection date and recommended next inspection.
• The agreed extent and recorded restrictions.
• The overall satisfactory or unsatisfactory assessment.
• An observation schedule identifying findings and their locations.
• The inspection schedule and complete circuit test results.

The observation schedule is where classifications accompany the findings and indicate their significance. Read what the codes on your EICR mean.

Confirm that supporting schedules are included, rather than retaining only the assessment page. Ask about unclear entries and delivery arrangements; completion of the site visit does not itself mean the finished paperwork has been issued.

Arrange Your EICR Inspection in London

To arrange your London EICR, provide the property details, access arrangements and any power-interruption constraints when you book.

• Property type and bedroom count.
• Known boards or circuits.
• Occupancy and access needs.

EICR Certificates London offers: A fixed price for your EICR, confirmed before we attend. HMO, commercial and larger-property inspections are quoted. Remedial work is quoted separately. Evening and weekend appointments available. Open 8am to 10pm, seven days a week.

Ready to book an EICR inspection in London? Have these details available when contacting us.

Call 020 3677 6372 Contact us

EICR Questions Before and After the Visit