EICR Inspections in Horley, Redhill, Reigate & Crawley
An EICR is a formal safety inspection of the fixed wiring in a property - the circuits, consumer unit, earthing and bonding. It is not a quick look round. Every circuit is individually tested against current regulations, and you get a written report grading anything found. Landlords need a valid one by law. Homeowners usually get one when buying, selling or when something has started going wrong.
Every EICR is carried out by Mark, who holds the City & Guilds 2391-52 qualification. This qualification is specific for inspecting, testing and certifying electrical installations. It is a separate qualification from general electric work and it is the one that matters most for an EICR. Combined with a NAPIT accreditation means that your report is produced by someone formally assessed to do so.
We carry out EICRs for homeowners, landlords and businesses across Horley, Crawley, Reigate, Redhill, Earlswood and the wider Surrey and West Sussex area, and we already meet the qualification standard that becomes mandatory from October 2026.
Not sure if you need an EICR? Try our free checker.
Additionally, any work carried out is covered by a 24-month workmanship guarantee.
What Customers Say About Our EICRs
"I cannot thank Mark enough for his help! A last minute EICR was required and it was the easiest process- his communication and professionalism was next to none"
"Just had Mark from MSE do 2 ECIR inspections on my 2 flats in Redhill. He was ultra professional and efficient…"
"Mark carried out an EICR at short notice on a property I was buying and reported back promptly…"
What Is an EICR, Exactly?
An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is a formal safety inspection of a property’s fixed wiring. An EICR isn't a visual check - it's a two-stage process. First, a visual inspection of everything accessible: the consumer unit, wiring where visible, accessories and the incoming supply. Then, using calibrated test equipment, every circuit in the property is individually tested. Continuity checks confirm the earth and bonding connections are complete. Insulation resistance testing checks the condition of the cable insulation itself, which is where a lot of hidden deterioration actually shows up.
For a typical two or three-bedroom property, the whole process takes two to four hours. The result is a formal written report grading any issues found and confirming whether the installation is safe for continued use.
What The Codes on Your Report Mean
C1 means danger is present and needs fixing immediately. C2 means potentially dangerous and needs remedial work within 28 days. C3 is a recommendation for improvement, not a safety failure. FI means further investigation - something could not be fully verified, usually because it was not accessible rather than because it is dangerous.
A satisfactory result means no C1 or C2 codes. If yours comes back unsatisfactory, that is not a disaster - it means specific things need doing, and we can quote for them and re-certify once complete.
The October 2026 Qualification Change
From 1 October 2026, new minimum qualification requirements come into force for anyone legally permitted to carry out an EICR in the UK. Not every electrician currently offering the service will meet the new standard.
MS Electrical Solutions already holds all three required qualifications, including the 2391-52 Inspection and Testing certification specifically. If you need an EICR carried out in the next few months, it's worth checking your electrician's qualifications now, not after a report's already been issued by someone who won't meet the standard.
We've written a full, detailed breakdown of exactly what's changing and why, including what happens to EICRs already carried out under the old rules - read the complete guide here or our handy video below.
October 2026 also brought BS 7671 Amendment 4, the current edition of the wiring regulations. It doesn't retroactively affect existing installations, but any remedial work carried out following your EICR is completed to this current edition.
What Happens During the Inspection
You'll get a realistic time window, not a vague estimate. On arrival, we walk the property first - understanding the age of the installation, any known issues, and areas that need particular attention - before any testing starts.
Every circuit gets tested individually, not just a general check. If something's found, it's explained in plain terms on the spot, not left as a code on a report you have to decode later. Where remedial work is identified and you'd like us to carry it out, we can quote for that immediately and often complete minor remedial work the same day.
EICR Pricing
Domestic EICRs start from £160 + VAT for a 1-bedroom property, £180 + VAT for 2 bedrooms, £200 + VAT for 3 bedrooms and £250 + VAT for 4 or more. Extra circuits are £15 + VAT each. Commercial EICRs start from £350 + VAT. You get a fixed price before I book you in, and that’s the price you pay.
See the full price guide for a detailed breakdown by property size.
| Property | Price + VAT | Price inc. VAT |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | £160 | £192 |
| 2 bedroom | £180 | £216 |
| 3 bedroom | £200 | £240 |
| 4+ bedroom | £250 | £300 |
| Each extra circuit | £15 | £18 |
| Commercial | from £350 | from £420 |
What’s Included in the Price
Every circuit tested, not a sample: continuity, insulation resistance, polarity and earth fault loop impedance. Every RCD tested to check it trips fast enough. A visual inspection of the consumer unit, sockets, switches and light fittings, plus earthing and bonding checks. You get a full written report with every observation coded, and your certificate the same day in most cases.
What Pushes the Price Up
The price covers a normal number of circuits for the size of the property. It goes up when there’s more to test: a garage, garden office, EV charger or hot tub on its own circuit, a second consumer unit, or an older house that’s been extended over the years. I’ll ask about these when you book, so the price you’re quoted is the price you pay.
Why Some EICRs Are Advertised at £80
Cheap EICRs usually cut one of three corners: only some circuits get tested, the inspector doesn’t hold the qualification needed since October 2026, or the report comes back with a long list of “urgent” work to make up the difference. Before you book anyone, ask what qualification they hold, whether every circuit is tested, and when you’ll get the report. My answers: City & Guilds 2391-52, yes, and usually the same day.
Understanding Your Report: C1, C2, C3 and FI Codes
Every finding on an EICR gets a code. C1 means danger present, needing immediate attention. C2 means a potentially dangerous issue requiring remedial work within 28 days. C3 is a recommendation for improvement, not a safety failure. FI - Further Investigation - sits differently again: it means something couldn't be fully verified as safe from a standard inspection, usually an access issue rather than a danger.
The rules around FI codes changed recently, and it's a nuance worth understanding properly if you've had one on a report before. Read our full explanation of what FI actually means.
EICR Inspections in Earlswood (Case Study)
We carry out a significant number of EICRs across Earlswood, for both homeowners and landlords managing rental properties in the area. Earlswood's mix of older and more recently built housing means findings vary a lot property to property - older installations more often show ageing consumer units or missing RCD protection, while newer builds are more likely to pass with only minor observations.
Same qualification standard, same fixed pricing, same-day digital certification, whether it's a single let in Earlswood or a portfolio spread across Surrey.
Why do EICRs fail?
Most failed EICRs come down to a handful of common problems:
holes or gaps in the consumer unit
heat damage at cooker and shower connections
no RCD protection
earth bonding that’s missing or doesn’t pass testing
faults in ring circuits that can’t be seen without testing
Any of these can be coded C1, C2 or FI, which makes the report unsatisfactory. The good news is that most are quick to fix, often on the same day, and I can usually carry out the remedial work straight after the inspection.
Read the 5 most common reasons an EICR fails, with real examples from local jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an EICR?
An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is a formal inspection and test of a property's fixed electrical installation, covering the wiring, consumer unit, circuits, earthing and bonding, tested against current BS 7671 wiring regulations.
How much does an EICR cost?
Domestic EICRs start from £160 + VAT for a 1-bedroom property, rising with property size and circuit count. Commercial inspections start from £350 + VAT. We always confirm a fixed price before the inspection begins.
How long does an EICR take?
For a typical two or three-bedroom property, an EICR takes between two and four hours, covering both the visual inspection and full circuit testing.
Who is qualified to carry out an EICR from October 2026?
From 1 October 2026, new minimum qualification requirements came into force, including the 2391-52 Inspection and Testing certification. MS Electrical Solutions already meets all three required qualifications.
What happens if my EICR is unsatisfactory?
An unsatisfactory result means one or more issues need fixing. For landlords, anything coded C1, C2 or FI must be put right within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so. We can quote for and carry out the remedial work directly, then provide written confirmation and certification that it’s been completed.
Do landlords legally need an EICR?
Yes. Private landlords in England have been legally required to hold a valid EICR for every rental property since April 2021. It must be renewed at least every five years, or sooner if the report says so, and a copy must be given to new tenants before they move in.
Is VAT included in your EICR price?
No. Prices are shown plus VAT, so a 3-bed EICR is £200 + VAT, which is £240 in total.
Does the price go up if my EICR fails?
No. The inspection price is fixed. Any remedial work is quoted separately, in writing, and it’s your choice whether to go ahead.
Is your work guaranteed?
Yes. All workmanship is covered by a 24-month guarantee, and materials are covered by the manufacturer's warranty.