PLANNING GUIDES
Planning for an electrical safety check
Updated 07/26
By: Laura Macdonald
Reviewed: Kim Staples
An electrical safety check primarily helps to ensure the safety of your property and its occupants. Whether you're a homeowner or landlord, our complete guide outlines everything you need to know about the process.
What an electrical safety check actually involves
Whether you legally need one as a homeowner or landlord
How often your property should be checked
What an EICR report and its classification codes mean
How much an electrical safety check typically costs
How to prepare so the visit goes smoothly
An electrical safety check is one of the most important ways to keep your property and its occupants safe. As a landlord, it's also a legal requirement to ensure regular inspections.
Here, we look at how to prepare for an electrical safety check, what the process includes, and why you shouldn't put this important property maintenance task off.
We also help to clarify some of the terminology surrounding electrical safety checks, including the Fixed Wiring Test and Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
Find an electrician for your electrical safety check
Why do you need an electrical safety check?
An electrical safety check involves thorough inspection and testing of the electrical installations in a property to make sure they're safe and compliant. It offers peace of mind and ticks four major boxes:
Safety - Faulty or outdated electrical installations can be hazardous, causing electric shocks and even fires
Prevention - An electrical safety check is an important facet of property maintenance to help identify issues before they become more serious and/or costly to repair
Compliance - Electrical checks for landlords are a legal requirement to ensure that all electrical installations in their rental properties are safe
Insurance - Many insurers require properties to have an up-to-date electrical safety certificate. Failing to have this could invalidate your insurance policy
Who can carry out an electrical safety check?
An electrical safety check should only be carried out by a qualified and competent electrician.
This guarantees they are experienced, insured, and appropriately qualified to complete the inspection and produce an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
What does an electrical safety check involve?
There are several key parts to an electrical safety check. These include:
1. Visual inspection
Your electrician will begin with a visual inspection of the electrical system.
They'll be looking for signs of wear and tear, damage, or components that no longer comply with current standards.
2. Testing
Next up, the testing can begin.
There are several different tests carried out under an electrical safety check including a Fixed Wiring Test, PAT Testing, and Safety Device Checks.
Fixed Wiring Test
A Fixed Wiring Test is one of the core components of an electrical safety check. It focuses on the condition and safety of all electrical wiring and installations that are fixed to a property.
Your electrician will look at the condition and safety of:
The electrical wiring in your property
The fuse boxes and circuit breakers
All fixed electrical equipment, for example, sockets, switches, and lighting fittings
Earthing and bonding of the electrical system
They'll conduct the following tests:
Continuity Testing: To ensure that all electrical conductors are continuous
Insulation Resistance Testing: To check all electrical conductors are properly insulated
Polarity Testing: To make sure the wiring is connected correctly
Earth Fault Loop Impedance Testing: To check the effectiveness of the earthing system
RCD Testing: To ensure they trip as required to prevent electric shock
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)
While a Fixed Wiring Test inspects the safety and compliance of electrical installations fixed to a building, Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) covers electrical equipment that can be moved. That is, portable or plug-in appliances.
PAT testing involves visual inspections for obvious signs of damage or wear and tear, and electrical tests to ensure they're safe to use.
Safety Device Checks
An electrical safety check can also involve ensuring safety devices such as smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are functioning properly.
Many landlords renew their gas and electrical safety certificates at the same time. If you're doing so, ask whether your tradesperson can coordinate both visits to save on repeat call-outs.
3. Reporting
Once the inspection and testing are complete, your electrician will provide you with an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
This outlines the findings, including any defects or issues that must be addressed, and recommendations for remedial work.
EICR classification codes
Your electrician will use classification codes to indicate the outcome of their inspection and testing:
Code 1 (C1): Danger present, risk of injury
Code 2 (C2): Potentially dangerous
Further Investigation (F1): Further investigation is needed without delay
Code 3 (C3): Improvement recommended. Remedial work is not required, but doing so would improve the safety of the installation
Both C1 and C2 mean the report will state the installation is unsatisfactory for continued use until remedial work is carried out.
Landlords must provide written confirmation that any remedial work has been completed within 28 days.
On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.
How much does an electrical safety check cost?
The cost of an electrical safety check depends on the size of your property, the number of circuits, and whether it's a standard domestic check or a landlord EICR. But on average, an EICR will cost around £100–£250.
Some energy suppliers and local councils occasionally offer free or subsidised electrical safety checks for vulnerable households. It's worth checking your eligibility before booking privately if cost is a concern.
For a detailed price breakdown, including landlord electrical safety check costs, see our electrical safety check cost guide.
Electrical safety check costs: Price breakdown 2026 (UK)
From electrical safety checks to electrical installation condition reports, these test can help keep your loved ones safe and secure. Find out the full costs here.
You can also get a tailored, AI-assisted estimate for your electrical safety check based on your property size and requirements with the Checkatrade job estimate calculator.
Just enter a few details about your property and the tool will give you an approximate quote in an instant.
Job Estimate Calculator
How often should I get my electrical systems checked?
How often you need a check depends on the type of property and how it's used.
Private homes: recommended every 10 years, or sooner if you notice any electrical issues
Rented properties: a legal requirement every 5 years, or upon change of tenancy
Commercial properties: generally every 5 years, though this varies by business type
Industrial properties: typically every 3 years, given the higher electrical load
Special locations (e.g. swimming pools, spas): typically every 3 years, or as recommended by an electrician
Are you a landlord? Make sure your rental property is ready for your next tenants, safe and compliant with the help of our checked and qualified tradespeople. Whether you need an electrical safety check, an end of tenancy clean, or a bit of maintenance, search for trusted services in your area with Checkatrade.
How long does an electrical safety check take?
An electrical safety check typically takes around 3 - 4 hours for an average-sized property.
However, larger properties, those with complex electrical systems, accessibility issues, or a greater number of circuits and installations, will take longer - possibly up to a full day.
How do I prepare for an electrical safety check?
Preparing properly helps your electrician work efficiently and can shorten the time they need on site.
Here's our handy checklist of things to do to make sure it all goes smoothly.
Checklist: Planning for an electrical safety check
Find a qualified electrician in your local area
Finding a trusted electrician to complete your electrical safety check needn't be difficult. Simply search your postcode to find trusted EICR checkers who work near you.
Find an electrician for your electrical safety check
We check and verify all our members, so you can be confident in the tradesperson you hire for the job.
We’re so confident in the tradespeople on Checkatrade that if you book through us, we guarantee their work up to £1,000. (T&Cs apply.)
You can also post your job to hear back from electricians who offer EICRs and other safety checks in your area - or download the Checkatrade app to get started.
FAQs
It typically includes a visual inspection, a Fixed Wiring Test, Portable Appliance Testing, safety device checks, and a final EICR report outlining any issues found.
Costs vary by property size and whether it's a standard domestic check or landlord EICR. See our cost guide for a full breakdown, or use our calculator for a tailored estimate.
Some suppliers or councils offer free or subsidised checks for eligible households, but most electrical safety checks are carried out by a paid, qualified electrician. Always confirm credentials before booking.
Yes - it's a legal requirement for rental properties every 5 years or at the start of a new tenancy, and landlords must act on any remedial work identified.
An electrical safety check (EICR) covers a property's wiring, fixed installations, and appliances.
A gas safety check is separate and covers gas appliances and pipework.
Landlords typically need both, on different schedules.
An EICR typically costs £100-£250, though costs vary depending on your property's size and location. See our cost guide for a breakdown in detail.
No. There's no single national online lookup for EICR certificates. Your electrician or letting agent should provide you with a copy directly, and it's worth keeping this on file for insurance and compliance purposes.
If the report shows a Code 1 or Code 2 issue, the installation is considered unsatisfactory until remedial work is carried out.
Your electrician will advise on what's needed. If you're a landlord, written confirmation of completed work is required within 28 days.
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