EICR cost in London 2026: what affects the price
How an EICR is priced in London
Energy North prices an EICR by the size of the installation, not by floor area. Every quote includes VAT and the certificate. It is fixed in advance, so there is nothing to negotiate on the day.
| Property | Consumer unit | How it is quoted | Time on site |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 bedroom flat or house | 10-way | Standard domestic quote | About 1.5 to 2.5 hours |
| 4 bedroom house or flat | 10-way | Standard domestic quote, more rooms to inspect | Depends on circuits and access |
| Up to 6 bedroom house | 10-way | Standard domestic quote, more rooms to inspect | Up to half a day |
| Commercial property | Any | Priced per circuit | Depends on the number of circuits |
| Consumer unit bigger than 10 ways | 12-way and up | Quoted in advance, every extra circuit is tested | Longer, each circuit is tested one by one |
| Property with two consumer units | 2 boards | Quoted in advance, each board is a separate inspection | Longer, each board is inspected |
An HMO or a house with an extension often has more circuits than bedrooms would suggest. If your board has more than ten ways, count the switches on it and tell us the number when you ask for a quote. You get an exact price before anyone comes out.
2026 EICR prices in London and the UK
These are independent 2026 market benchmarks for London and the UK, gathered from the big published price guides and checked on 09-11-2026. They are not Energy North prices. For our own fixed prices see energynorth.uk/electrician, or post your job free on Energy North and compare quotes from verified local trades.
| Job | Typical 2026 price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| London flat | £100 to £230 | Checkatrade London estimate, 2026 |
| London house | £150 to £300 or more | Checkatrade London estimate, 2026 |
| 1 to 2 bed flat or house (UK) | £120 to £200 | MyBuilder UK guide, August 2026 |
| 3 bed house (UK) | £200 to £250 | MyBuilder UK guide, August 2026 |
| 4 bed house and larger (UK) | £250 to £350 | MyBuilder UK guide, August 2026 |
| Small commercial premises (UK) | £300 to £400 | MyBuilder UK guide, August 2026 |
| Commercial, priced per circuit (UK) | £30 to £50 per circuit | Checkatrade cost guide, October 2026 |
| Electrician day rate for remedial work (UK) | £300 to £500 a day | Checkatrade cost guide, October 2026 |
Landlords in England must renew the EICR at least every 5 years. Remedial work for C1, C2 and FI codes is priced separately from the inspection.
Journalists, bloggers and landlords are welcome to quote this table. Please credit Energy North with a link, for example:
Source: <a href="https://energynorth.uk/blog/eicr-cost-london-2026.html">EICR cost in London 2026</a> by <a href="https://energynorth.uk/">Energy North</a>What an EICR actually covers
An Electrical Installation Condition Report is a full inspection and test of the fixed wiring in a property: the consumer unit, every circuit, sockets, switches, light fittings, earthing and bonding. The electrician takes the board apart, tests each circuit for continuity, insulation resistance, polarity, earth fault loop impedance and RCD operation, and inspects a sample of accessories around the property. It is not a visual walk-round, and it is not the same as a PAT test, which checks plug-in appliances.
The report you receive lists every circuit with its test results, every observation with a code, and an overall verdict of Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. A satisfactory report is what landlords need to hand to tenants and to the council if asked.
What changes the price
Number of circuits. This is the single biggest factor. Every circuit is tested one by one, so a 16-way board takes far longer than a 6-way board even in the same size of house. It is why we price by consumer unit size, not by floor area.
Number of bedrooms. More rooms means more sockets, switches and fittings to inspect. A larger house usually has more circuits as well.
Age and condition of the installation. An older installation with rubber or lead-sheathed cable, no RCD protection or undocumented alterations takes longer to test and produces more observations. Be ready for remedial work, which is quoted separately.
Access. Loft hatches, locked meter cupboards, furniture against sockets and tenants who are not in all add time. A clear board and an empty afternoon keep the visit short.
Two boards or a sub-main. Garages, annexes and converted lofts often have their own small consumer unit. Each one is a separate inspection.
HMO or single let. An HMO usually has more circuits, more rooms and often more than one board, so it takes longer than a single let of the same size.
Time of day and travel. Evening and weekend slots cost more with most firms. Parking in inner London is factored into the quote by everybody, whether they say so or not.
What is not a real reason. Postcode prestige, the age of the house on its own, or "London rates". If one quote is far above the others for the same board with none of the factors here, get another one.
C1, C2, C3 and FI codes explained
| Code | Meaning | Report result | What has to happen |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | Danger present, risk of injury | Unsatisfactory | Made safe on the day where possible, repair straight away |
| C2 | Potentially dangerous | Unsatisfactory | Repair required, landlords within 28 days |
| C3 | Improvement recommended | Satisfactory | Advisory, no legal duty to act |
| FI | Further investigation required | Unsatisfactory | Investigate and resolve, landlords within 28 days |
A common surprise for landlords is that a single C2 makes the whole report unsatisfactory. That is not the electrician being difficult, it is the standard. The good news is that most C2 items, a missing RCD, a damaged socket, a loose earth, are a short job. We list every observation with a fixed quote for the fix, and the re-test after remedial work is included when we do the work.
The law for London landlords
Since 1 April 2021 every private rented property in England must have a satisfactory EICR under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. The rules in plain terms:
- An inspection at least every 5 years, or sooner if the report says so.
- A copy to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection, and to new tenants before they move in.
- A copy to the local authority within 7 days if they ask for it.
- Any C1, C2 or FI item fixed within 28 days, with written confirmation to the tenant and the council.
- Councils can fine up to £30,000 per breach, and several London boroughs actively enforce.
HMOs were already covered by earlier rules and must follow the same five-year cycle. If you manage a portfolio, the cheapest way to stay compliant is to put every property on one calendar and book the inspections together. We discount multi-property bookings, so ask when you get in touch.
How long it takes and what you get
A 1 to 3 bedroom property takes about 1.5 to 2.5 hours with power off for part of that time. Larger houses take half a day. Energy North issues the certificate the same day as the inspection, as a PDF you can forward to tenants, agents and the council, and we keep a copy so a replacement is never a problem.
Before the visit: make sure the consumer unit is reachable, tell tenants the power will go off for short periods, and switch off computers and anything sensitive. That is all the preparation needed.
How to compare EICR quotes
An EICR advertised far below everyone else is almost always one of three things. It is a visual inspection dressed up as a report, a price that grows once "extra circuits" are found on the day, or the loss leader for a remedial quote that is not competitive. A proper EICR on a normal home cannot be done in 45 minutes.
A fair quote tells you:
- That the price is fixed for your board size and number of circuits.
- That VAT and the certificate are included.
- That you will get the full test schedule, not just the front page.
- Which government-approved competent person scheme the electrician is registered with.
- How remedial work is quoted if anything is found.
If any of those is missing, ask. If the answer is no, move on.
Where this guide applies
This guide is written for London. It covers the boroughs we work in most, Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Camden, Islington, Hackney, Waltham Forest, Tower Hamlets, Newham, Redbridge, Westminster, Ealing, Brent, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, and the rest of Greater London. Outside the M25 quotes are usually a little lower because labour and parking cost less.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an EICR cost in London in 2026?
It depends on the property. The main factors are the number of bedrooms, the size of the consumer unit and the number of circuits, then the age of the wiring, access and whether there is a second board. Commercial premises are priced per circuit. Energy North gives a free, fixed quote on request.
How often does a landlord need an EICR?
At least every 5 years for a private rented property in England, or sooner if the report gives a shorter interval. A valid report must be in place before a new tenancy starts.
What happens if a landlord has no valid EICR?
The local authority can serve a remedial notice and issue a financial penalty of up to £30,000 for each breach of the 2020 regulations.
Does a C3 code mean my EICR has failed?
No. C3 is a recommendation only and the report stays satisfactory. C1, C2 and FI make the report unsatisfactory and must be dealt with, within 28 days for a rented property.
Is an EICR the same as a PAT test?
No. An EICR tests the fixed wiring and consumer unit. PAT testing checks portable plug-in appliances. Landlords who provide appliances often need both, and Energy North can quote for both in one visit.
How long does an EICR take?
About 1.5 to 2.5 hours for a 1 to 3 bedroom property, up to half a day for large houses. The power is off for part of the inspection. Energy North issues the certificate the same day.
How do I book an EICR in London?
Book Energy North online at energynorth.uk/electrician/booking.html and ask for a free quote, or post the job on Energy North to compare quotes from other verified local electricians.
Book Energy North directly for London: Book online or get a free quote
Or compare quotes from other verified local electricians: Post the job, free, no obligation
Related guides
- How much does an electrician cost in London? What affects the price
- Landlord electrical safety certificate cost in London
- Consumer unit replacement cost in London
- Emergency electrician cost in London
- House rewire cost in London
Guide checked 21 October 2026. Energy North does not publish set prices because costs change. Ask for a free quote for your property; other electricians may quote differently. Nothing on this page changes the legal duties described, which come from the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 and BS 7671.