EICR cost London is one of the first things property owners and landlords want to know when arranging an electrical inspection.
The answer isn’t as simple as choosing a price based only on the number of bedrooms.
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) involves inspecting and testing the fixed electrical installation in a property. The final cost can depend on the size of the property, the number of circuits, the number of consumer units, the age and condition of the installation, and how easy the electrical system is to access.
Current 2026 London pricing guides show that domestic EICR prices can vary considerably, so it’s worth comparing what is actually included rather than choosing the cheapest advertised price.
How Much Does an EICR Cost in London in 2026?
For a typical domestic property, a useful 2026 London budgeting guide is:
| Property size | Typical EICR guide price |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1-bedroom flat | £150–£220 |
| 2-bedroom property | £170–£280 |
| 3-bedroom house | £200–£350 |
| 4-bedroom house | £250–£420 |
| 5-bedroom house | £300–£500+ |
These are guide prices, not fixed Homacord prices.
The actual cost can be lower or higher depending on the electrical installation. For example, a small flat with a straightforward installation may cost less than a larger property with multiple consumer units and a high number of circuits.
A current London pricing guide gives approximately £150–£220 for a studio or one-bedroom flat and higher prices as the property size and circuit count increase.
What Is an EICR?
EICR stands for Electrical Installation Condition Report.
It is an inspection and testing process used to assess the condition of the fixed electrical installation in a property.
An EICR can involve checking and testing:
- Electrical circuits
- Socket outlets
- Lighting circuits
- Consumer units
- Wiring
- Earthing and bonding
- Switches
- Other fixed electrical equipment
The purpose isn’t simply to check whether your lights and sockets currently work.
An electrician is looking for defects, deterioration and potentially dangerous conditions within the electrical installation.
EICR Cost for a Studio or 1-Bedroom Flat
A small flat will usually have fewer circuits than a larger house, which means the inspection can often be completed more quickly.
For a straightforward studio or one-bedroom flat in London, you might expect to budget around:
£150–£220
The price can change if the property has:
- An older electrical installation
- Several consumer units
- Difficult-to-access wiring
- Additional electrical circuits
- Previous alterations or extensions
A very low advertised price isn’t necessarily a problem, but you should check exactly what the electrician is offering before booking.
EICR Cost for a 2-Bedroom Property
A two-bedroom flat or house will normally have more circuits than a smaller property.
A reasonable 2026 London guide price is approximately:
£170–£280
The exact price can depend on whether you’re dealing with a standard modern property or an older conversion.
Two properties with the same number of bedrooms can have completely different electrical installations, so the bedroom count is only a starting point.
EICR Cost for a 3-Bedroom House
Three-bedroom houses are common EICR properties in London.
A typical guide price is around:
£200–£350
A three-bedroom house may contain separate circuits for:
- Lighting
- General sockets
- Cooker
- Kitchen appliances
- Washing machine
- Dishwasher
- Electric shower
- Outdoor supplies
- Garage or extension
The more circuits there are to inspect and test, the longer the EICR can take.
EICR Cost for a 4-Bedroom House
For a four-bedroom house, you may need to budget approximately:
£250–£420
Larger houses can have considerably more electrical circuits than smaller properties.
They may also have:
- Extensions
- Garages
- Garden rooms
- Outdoor lighting
- Electric showers
- EV charging equipment
- Additional consumer units
These features can increase the amount of testing required.
EICR Cost for a 5-Bedroom House
For a larger five-bedroom property, a reasonable starting budget is around:
£300–£500+
The plus sign is important.
A large property with multiple consumer units, outbuildings or extensive electrical installations can cost more than £500.
At this size, the number of circuits and complexity of the installation can matter more than the number of bedrooms.
Why Does the Number of Circuits Affect EICR Cost?
This is one of the most important things to understand when comparing EICR quotes.
An EICR isn’t simply a visual walk around your property.
The electrician needs to inspect and test the electrical installation, and the number of circuits can have a significant effect on how much work is involved.
A small flat might have only a handful of circuits.
A larger house could have significantly more, particularly if it has extensions, an electric shower, an EV charger, garage supplies or other additional installations.
Current London pricing information specifically identifies circuit count as an important factor in EICR pricing.
Does the Age of the Property Affect EICR Cost?
It can.
Older properties may contain electrical installations that have been modified several times over the years.
An electrician may encounter:
- Older wiring
- Older consumer units
- Unlabelled circuits
- Previous DIY alterations
- Extensions
- Non-standard installations
- Difficult-to-access wiring
This doesn’t mean that every old property will automatically cost more.
It simply means that an older or more complicated installation may take longer to inspect properly.
Does the Number of Consumer Units Affect the Price?
Yes.
A property with one consumer unit is generally simpler to inspect than a property with multiple boards.
For example, a larger house might have a main consumer unit plus separate supplies for a garage, extension or garden building.
If your property has more than one consumer unit, mention this when requesting a quote.
It can help the electrician give you a more accurate price before the inspection.
Does an EICR Include Repairs?
Usually, no.
The EICR is the inspection and testing of the electrical installation.
If the electrician discovers a problem, any remedial electrical work is normally priced separately.
For example, an EICR might identify:
- Damaged socket outlets
- Poor electrical connections
- Earthing problems
- Overheating
- Inadequate protection
- Damaged wiring
- Other electrical defects
The cost of putting these problems right depends entirely on what the electrician finds.
This is why it’s useful to ask whether an advertised EICR price includes only the inspection and report, or whether any remedial work is included.
What Do C1, C2 and C3 Mean on an EICR?
EICR observations use classification codes to indicate the seriousness of identified issues.
C1 — Danger Present
A C1 means danger is present and there is a risk of injury.
Urgent action is required.
C2 — Potentially Dangerous
A C2 means a potentially dangerous condition has been identified and remedial work is required.
C3 — Improvement Recommended
A C3 means an improvement is recommended, but it does not make the report unsatisfactory on its own.
The current GOV.UK guidance confirms that C1 and C2 observations require remedial work, while C3 is an improvement recommendation rather than a mandatory remedial requirement.
GOV.UK guidance on EICR classification codes
FI — Further Investigation
FI means that further investigation is required without delay.
If an EICR contains FI, the underlying issue needs to be investigated before the condition of the installation can be properly established.
How Long Does an EICR Take?
The time required depends on the size and complexity of the electrical installation.
A small flat may take considerably less time than a large house with numerous circuits.
For a standard domestic property, an EICR commonly takes several hours, although the exact time can vary depending on the installation.
An electrician shouldn’t rush the inspection simply to meet an advertised appointment duration.
The aim is to inspect and test the installation properly.
Is a Cheap EICR a Good EICR?
Not necessarily.
You may find London EICR prices advertised at very different levels.
A low price doesn’t automatically mean poor workmanship, but you should find out exactly what is included.
Before booking, ask:
- Is this a full EICR?
- How many circuits are included?
- Is the report included?
- How many consumer units are included?
- Is VAT included?
- Are remedial works charged separately?
- Are there any additional fees?
This makes it much easier to compare quotes properly.
What Can Make an EICR More Expensive?
Several factors can increase the price.
More Electrical Circuits
More circuits generally mean more inspection and testing.
Multiple Consumer Units
Several consumer units can increase the amount of work involved.
Older Electrical Installations
Older or modified systems may take longer to assess.
Difficult Access
If parts of the installation are difficult to access, additional time may be required.
Extensions and Outbuildings
Garages, extensions, garden rooms and other buildings can add circuits to the installation.
EV Chargers and Other Additional Circuits
An EV charger, electric shower or other high-load installation can add complexity to the electrical system.
EICR Cost for a HMO in London
An HMO shouldn’t necessarily be priced like a standard three- or four-bedroom house.
A larger HMO may have:
- Multiple consumer units
- Several kitchens
- Communal areas
- More lighting circuits
- More socket circuits
- Multiple bedrooms
- Additional electrical equipment
This can make the inspection considerably more involved.
For this reason, HMO EICR pricing should normally be based on the actual electrical installation rather than simply the number of bedrooms.
Do Landlords Need an EICR in London?
Yes.
For rented properties in England, landlords must ensure that electrical installations are inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every 5 years, or more frequently if the report specifies a shorter interval.
The landlord must also obtain the report and provide copies as required by the regulations.
GOV.UK guidance for landlords on electrical safety and EICRs
The current GOV.UK guidance confirms that the rules were extended in 2025 to include the social rented sector as well as the existing private rented sector requirements.
How Often Should an EICR Be Done?
For landlords in England, the electrical installation must generally be inspected and tested at least every five years.
However, the previous EICR can specify a shorter inspection interval.
Landlords must also provide the relevant report to tenants within the required timeframe. GOV.UK states that an existing tenant should receive a copy within 28 days of the inspection, while a new tenant should receive it before occupying the property.
GOV.UK guidance on EICR requirements for rented properties
Homeowners don’t have the same universal five-year legal requirement simply because they own and occupy their property.
However, an EICR can still be useful when buying an older property, selling a property, carrying out major electrical work or simply checking the condition of an older installation.
Is an EICR Required When Selling a House?
Not generally.
There isn’t a universal requirement for every homeowner to obtain an EICR simply because they are selling their property.
However, an electrical inspection can still be useful during a property transaction.
A buyer may want reassurance about the condition of the electrical installation, particularly if the property is older.
What Should You Receive After an EICR?
After the inspection and testing, you should receive the completed Electrical Installation Condition Report.
The report should explain:
- The condition of the installation
- Any observations
- Classification codes
- Any further investigation required
- Whether remedial work is required
If you’re a landlord, the report is particularly important because it forms part of your evidence that the property’s electrical installation has been inspected.
How to Get a Fair EICR Price in London
When requesting quotes, don’t just tell an electrician the number of bedrooms.
Give them as much useful information as possible.
For example:
Property type: 2-bedroom flat
Approximate location: London
Consumer units: 1
Known additional circuits: electric shower / cooker / EV charger, if applicable
Property age: if known
This can help the electrician understand the likely complexity of the installation.
Most importantly, compare what each quote includes, not just the headline price.
EICR Cost London 2026: Quick Price Guide
As a general budgeting guide for standard domestic properties:
Studio / 1-bedroom flat: £150–£220
2-bedroom property: £170–£280
3-bedroom house: £200–£350
4-bedroom house: £250–£420
5-bedroom house: £300–£500+
These are approximate London guide prices rather than fixed prices.
The actual cost can depend on the number of circuits, consumer units, property condition, accessibility and overall complexity.
So if two electricians quote different prices for the same property, that doesn’t necessarily mean one is overcharging.
The important question is what is included in each quote?
Need an EICR for Your London Property?
If you’re arranging an EICR, getting a quote based on the actual electrical installation is usually more useful than relying on bedroom count alone.
A small flat with a simple installation can be relatively straightforward, while a larger or older property with multiple consumer units and additional circuits may require considerably more testing.
You can link the words Electrical services above directly to your Homacord Electrics page.
For wider property maintenance requirements:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an EICR cost in London in 2026?
A typical domestic EICR can range from around £150 for a small flat to £500 or more for a large house. The actual price depends on the electrical installation and the number of circuits.
How much does an EICR cost for a 1-bedroom flat?
A reasonable 2026 London guide price is around £150–£220 for a straightforward installation.
How much does an EICR cost for a 3-bedroom house?
A typical 3-bedroom house may cost around £200–£350, depending on the number of circuits and complexity of the installation.
How much does an EICR cost for a 5-bedroom house?
A large five-bedroom property may cost around £300–£500 or more, particularly if it has multiple consumer units or additional electrical installations.
Does an EICR include repairs?
Usually not. The inspection and report are normally separate from any remedial electrical work identified during the inspection.
Does the number of circuits affect EICR cost?
Yes. Circuit count is one of the important factors affecting how long an inspection takes and therefore how much it may cost.
Do landlords need an EICR every 5 years?
In England, landlords generally need to have rented-property electrical installations inspected and tested at least every five years, unless a shorter interval is specified in the report.
What does C2 mean on an EICR?
C2 means a potentially dangerous condition has been identified and remedial work is required.
Is a C3 fault dangerous?
A C3 means improvement is recommended. It does not mean the installation is automatically unsatisfactory or that remedial work is mandatory under the EICR classification system.
Is a cheap EICR worth it?
It can be, but don’t compare prices alone. Check whether the quote includes a full inspection, all circuits, the report, VAT and any other charges.
