Landlords
The five-yearly electrical safety check that private landlords in England must have, and any remedial work it finds.
EICR Electrical Safety Check in Reading
Need an Electrical Installation Condition Report for a rental, a sale or your own peace of mind? Compare quotes from up to 3 vetted electricians in Reading.
- Reviews from real, invoiced jobs
- Vetted local trades
- Free for homeowners
EICRs we can help with
Buying and selling
A check on an older home's wiring before you buy, or a report to have ready when you sell.
Homeowners
A health check on the wiring in an older home, after buying, or before an extension or new kitchen.
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is an inspection and test of the fixed wiring in a home: the consumer unit, circuits, sockets, switches and light fittings. The electrician checks for damage, wear, overloading and anything that doesn't meet current safety standards, then gives you a written report. On a typical two- or three-bedroom house it takes about three to four hours, and the power will be off for some of that time.
Each problem found is given a code. C1 means danger is present and needs fixing straight away. C2 means it's potentially dangerous and needs urgent work. C3 means an improvement is recommended but not required. FI means further investigation is needed. A report with any C1, C2 or FI code is "unsatisfactory". Ask for a written price for any remedial work, and remember you don't have to use the same electrician to do it.
If you let a home privately in England, the law requires an EICR at least every five years. You must give a copy to existing tenants within 28 days, to new tenants before they move in, and to Reading Borough Council within seven days if it asks. If the report is unsatisfactory, the remedial work must be done within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so. Then you must give written confirmation to your tenants and the council. HMOs need the same check.
For homeowners, there's no legal requirement, but an EICR is a good idea every ten years, or when you buy an older home. Reading has many Victorian and Edwardian homes whose wiring has been extended and altered over the decades, and some still have old rubber-insulated cable, a fuse box with rewireable fuses, or no RCD protection. An EICR will tell you whether the wiring is safe to keep, or whether a partial or full rewire is worth planning.
Choose an electrician registered with a scheme such as NICEIC or NAPIT, and check that the report lists every circuit tested. Reviews on Trade Pilot come from real, invoiced jobs, so you can see how other homeowners and landlords rated an electrician.
Typical prices
| Job | Typical UK range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EICR, 1-bed flat | £120–£180 | Takes two to three hours |
| EICR, 2–3 bed house | £150–£300 | Any repairs found are quoted separately |
| EICR, 4–5 bed house | £250–£400 | More circuits take longer to test |
| EICR, HMO | £250–£500 | Depends on the number of rooms and circuits |
| Consumer unit replacement | £450–£850 | A common recommendation on older homes |
Typical UK ranges; your quotes depend on the job and access.
How it works
- 1
Tell us about the job
Check your Reading postcode and describe what you need. Photos help.
- 2
Get up to 3 quotes
Up to 3 vetted local trades who cover your part of Reading can quote.
- 3
Compare and choose
Read reviews from their real, invoiced jobs, compare the quotes, and choose who to invite round. Or choose no one.
How Trade Pilot helps you hire in Reading
Vetted local trades
We check every electrician before they can quote. Always ask to see their registration before work starts.
Reviews from real jobs
Reviews on Trade Pilot are tied to invoiced jobs, so you’re reading about work that was actually done and paid for.
Free, with no obligation
Posting a job and getting up to 3 quotes is free for homeowners. You choose who to invite round, or no one at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Usually £150 to £300 for a two- or three-bedroom house, and more for larger homes and HMOs. Any remedial work found is quoted separately.
At least every five years in England, or sooner if the last report says so. A copy must go to existing tenants within 28 days and to new tenants before they move in.
C1 means danger is present, and C2 means it's potentially dangerous; both need fixing. C3 means an improvement is recommended. FI means further investigation is needed. Any C1, C2 or FI makes the report unsatisfactory.
It isn't a legal requirement, but it's sensible every ten years, when you buy an older home, or before major work such as an extension or a new kitchen.
About three to four hours for a typical house. The power will be off for parts of the inspection, so plan around fridges, freezers and working from home.
Yes. You can get quotes for remedial work from other electricians. Make sure whoever does it gives you the right certificate when it's finished.
Need an EICR in Reading?
Get matched with vetted electricians in Reading. Compare quotes and book today.
Get Started Now