How much does an EICR cost in London in 2026?
EICR prices in London
These are the prices Energy North charges in London, including VAT and the certificate. They are fixed in advance so there is nothing to negotiate on the day.
| Property | Consumer unit | Energy North price | Typical London range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 bedroom flat or house | 10-way | £114 | £120 to £200 |
| 4 bedroom house or flat | 10-way | £135 | £160 to £250 |
| Up to 6 bedroom house | 10-way | £180 | £200 to £320 |
| Commercial property | Any | £15 per circuit | £12 to £25 per circuit |
| Consumer unit bigger than 10 ways | 12-way and up | Quote in advance | Adds £20 to £60 |
| Property with two consumer units | 2 boards | Quote in advance | Roughly 1.5x the single-board price |
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 book, and you get an exact price before anyone comes out.
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.
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. The inspection costs the same, but be ready for remedial work.
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 price at the bottom of the range.
Two boards or a sub-main. Garages, annexes and converted lofts often have their own small consumer unit. Each one is a separate inspection.
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 a quote is double the range above 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 price 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, 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.
Why the cheapest quote can cost more
An EICR advertised at £60 or £70 is almost always either a visual inspection dressed up as a report, a price that doubles 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. Ask three questions before you book anyone: is the price fixed for my board size, is the electrician registered with a government-approved competent person scheme, and will I get the full test schedule, not just the front page. If any answer is no, move on.
Where these prices apply
This guide is written for London. The figures hold across 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 across the rest of Greater London within a small travel allowance. Outside the M25 prices are usually a little lower because day rates and parking cost less.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an EICR cost in London in 2026?
From £114 for a 1 to 3 bedroom home with a 10-way consumer unit at Energy North, £135 for 4 bedrooms and £180 for up to 6 bedrooms. Commercial premises are £15 per circuit. Typical London quotes run from £120 to £300 for a normal home.
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 does PAT testing from £114 for a 1 to 3 bedroom property.
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 with the price shown up front, or post the job on Energy North to compare quotes from other verified local electricians.
Book Energy North directly for London: Book online, prices as listed
Or compare quotes from other verified local electricians: Post the job, free, no obligation
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Prices checked 12 September 2026. They are guide prices for Greater London and include VAT where Energy North is the installer; 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.