The short answer
From £250, an EICR (fixed wire test) inspects your permanent electrical installation and issues a report on condition, defects and required remedial work.
For most business premises, fixed wire testing means an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) that checks the safety of the permanent electrical installation, including circuits, consumer units, wiring and fixed equipment. It identifies deterioration, damage, overloading, inadequate earthing and defects that could create shock or fire risks. We’ll inspect and test the installation with appropriate instruments, then provide a clear report recording observations and their classification.
Quick summary: an EICR gives you an informed view of your electrical installation’s condition and highlights remedial work needing attention. It isn’t the same as PAT testing, which concerns portable appliances rather than fixed wiring.
Core benefits include safer premises, documented maintenance information, reduced disruption from avoidable faults and a practical basis for prioritising electrical repairs. We recommend arranging testing around your operating hours where possible.
What the law actually says
There is no single statutory retest interval for EICRs that applies to all business premises; however, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require employers and other dutyholders to ensure electrical systems are maintained so they are safe. Those Regulations require suitable precautions against danger, which can include appropriate inspection, testing, maintenance and prompt remedial action where faults are identified.
It is a common misconception that a specific EICR frequency is prescribed by law for every situation; in fact, frequency should be based on risk assessment and factors such as installation condition, environment, usage and any previous reports. Separate duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to assess risks, implement safe systems of work and keep records demonstrating control of electrical risks.
We can help you determine reasonable inspection and testing intervals informed by the condition and use of your installation and prior reports, but an EICR itself is evidence of condition at the time of inspection and does not remove the need for ongoing maintenance. Enforcement authorities may take action if electrical systems are unsafe and expose people to risk.
Who does need it, and why
Business owners, employers and dutyholders responsible for a workplace electrical installation need a proportionate inspection and testing regime because they must keep it safe for employees, customers, contractors and visitors. This applies across Commercial premises, including offices, shops, workshops, warehouses, hospitality venues and shared workspaces.
We’ll assess the installation’s condition, identify deterioration, defects, unsuitable alterations and risks from overload or damage. Fixed wire testing supports your duties under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and helps demonstrate that you’ve taken reasonable steps to control electrical danger.
Landlord responsibilities also apply where you let commercial units or retain control of common electrical systems. You can’t simply rely on a tenant’s day-to-day use: responsibility follows control of the installation. A clear EICR gives you documented evidence, prioritised observations and a practical basis for remedial work.
How often, and who decides
There’s no statutory fixed interval for commercial EICRs; the appropriate frequency depends on the installation’s condition, use, environment and risk profile. We assess the evidence and recommend an inspection frequency; the dutyholder retains decision authority and must manage electrical safety.
| Premises factor | Typical risk | Our practical approach |
|---|---|---|
| Office | Low | Review condition and usage |
| Retail | Moderate | Consider public access |
| Workshop | Higher | Inspect more frequently |
| Damp or dusty areas | Raised | Shorten intervals |
We’ll consider previous EICR observations, alterations, equipment loads, maintenance records and any change of occupancy. A satisfactory report may support a longer period, while deterioration, damaged accessories or demanding conditions justify earlier testing. The recommended next inspection date is recorded on the EICR, providing a documented, proportionate basis for compliance decisions.
What it costs
We price commercial fixed-wire testing by circuit, so your EICR cost reflects the size and complexity of the installation rather than a guess: £30–£50 per circuit, including labour, testing, certification and VAT. This transparent Cost breakdown supports confident Budget planning and compliance decisions.
| Job | Price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|
| Small installation | £30/circuit | Clear baseline |
| Typical circuits | £30–£50/circuit | Testing and VAT |
| Complex circuits | £50/circuit | Certification |
| Fault finding | £80/hour | Practical diagnosis |
| Emergency attendance | £120/hour | First hour minimum |
We’ll confirm the circuit count and fixed price in writing before work starts, so you can control expenditure without unwelcome surprises. Our commercial EICR pricing covers the inspection, test results and certificate needed for your electrical safety records. It doesn’t include asbestos removal, scaffold, access equipment, DNO supply-upgrade charges, or making-good plaster and decoration.
What we do instead when it is not required
Where a full fixed-wire inspection is not required by your lease, insurer, risk assessment or internal policy, we’ll help you choose proportionate electrical safety measures instead. We can carry out visual inspections of accessible equipment, consumer units, sockets, switches and visible cable routes, identifying obvious damage, signs of overheating, poor alterations or other unsuitable conditions.
We will also advise on a programme of periodic maintenance tailored to how your premises are used, including prompt repair of defects, checks after flood exposure, alterations or changes in occupancy, and safe isolation arrangements for electrical work. Our recommendations will be recorded clearly so you can demonstrate a considered approach to electrical safety and prioritise action according to risk. If we identify signs that may warrant a full fixed-wire inspection or further investigation, we will explain why and recommend an appropriate next step before any work proceeds.
Note: a visual inspection is not a substitute for a full Periodic Inspection and Test (PIR). Where the law or a contract requires a PIR or an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), that test remains the proper duty and cannot be discharged by a visual check alone.