EICR in York

EICR in York — Circuit by Circuit

Priced by circuit count, because that is what determines how long the job takes. Every circuit tested to BS 7671:2018+A4:2026. Clear report the same day. NICEIC Approved Contractor.

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EICR Pricing in York

I price by circuit count. Not bedrooms, not property size. More circuits means more testing time, so that's what drives the price. It's the honest way to do it. The full breakdown, circuit count by circuit count, is on my page on what an EICR costs in York.

£180 plus VAT

Up to 6 circuits, in York

+ £15 plus VAT for each circuit above six

8 circuits

£210 plus VAT

10 circuits

£240 plus VAT

12 circuits

£270 plus VAT

Outside York

Add £15 plus VAT if the property is more than 6 miles from York, or £30 plus VAT if it is more than 10 miles. It is a flat band rather than a per-mile charge, and it is the only travel cost I put on an EICR. So a six-circuit board more than 10 miles out of York is £180 plus VAT for the EICR and £30 plus VAT for the distance, which is £210 plus VAT in total.

Not sure how many circuits you have? Count the switches in your consumer unit that actually feed something, not the number of spaces in it. The main switch is not a circuit, and neither is an RCD sitting at the head of a group in an older split-load board. Or call me and I can usually estimate from the property description.

The price includes the full inspection, all testing, and the written report. Remedial work, if any is needed, is estimated and agreed separately. You’re never committed to anything extra.

Want to understand the pricing logic? Read my post on why I price EICRs by circuit, not bedrooms →

Who needs an EICR in York?

Landlords — it’s the law

Since July 2020, every private rental property in England must have a valid EICR, renewed every 5 years or on change of tenancy. If you let a property in England, your council can fine you up to £40,000 for breaching the electrical safety rules, a maximum that rose from £30,000 on 1 November 2025 (or on 1 May 2026 for social housing tenancies granted before 1 December 2025). It applies per breach rather than per property, so a local authority can impose more than one. A copy must go to tenants within 28 days and to the local authority within 7 days if requested. I work directly with letting agents and tenants to make the process as smooth as possible.

See the full Landlord Compliance Hub → — EICR pricing, HMOs, Renters' Rights Act, and what to expect on the day.

Homeowners

No legal requirement, but recommended every 10 years, or sooner if the property is older, you’ve had unusual electrical behaviour, or you’ve never had one done. Think of it as the MOT your electrics never legally had to have but absolutely should.

Buying or selling a property

Buyers: a homebuyer’s survey tells you what a surveyor could see. An EICR tells you what’s actually happening in the wiring. More solicitors and lenders are asking for one. Sellers: a satisfactory EICR removes an objection. Think of it like having a full service history on a car you’re selling.

Commercial premises

Every 5 years as standard, or more frequently if your previous report identified concerns, or if your lease or insurer requires it.

What happens during an EICR?

I’ll need access to every room and the consumer unit. The power will go off circuit by circuit during testing, usually 20 to 40 minutes off any given circuit. For a typical 8-circuit property, the whole inspection takes 2 to 3 hours.

Every circuit gets tested for insulation resistance, earth continuity, polarity, and RCD operation. At the end, I walk you through everything I found, before you receive the written report.

C1. Danger present. Immediate action needed. I won’t leave without making sure you know exactly what needs doing.

C2. Potentially dangerous. Needs resolving. Landlords have 28 days from the report date.

C3. Improvement recommended. Not dangerous, not legally required to fix, but worth knowing about.

FI. Further investigation. Something I couldn’t fully assess, needs a closer look before the report can be signed off.

For a full explanation of the process, see my EICR plain English guide →

What to expect — from booking to report

When you get in touch, I’ll ask a few quick questions, mainly the property type, rough age, and whether you have any idea of the circuit count. If you can send me a photo of the consumer unit via WhatsApp, I can usually give you a confirmed price before I arrive. If not, I’ll count circuits on arrival and confirm the price before starting.

On the day, I arrive at the agreed time and start with the consumer unit, assessing its condition, checking the labelling, and confirming the circuit count. I then work through each circuit methodically. For each one, I isolate it at the board, carry out the physical tests (insulation resistance, earth continuity, polarity), check the operation of any protective devices, and make notes of anything that needs recording. The circuit will be off for roughly 20–40 minutes while it’s being tested. I work through them in an order that tries to keep disruption to a minimum, so your fridge and freezer are typically last.

Once all circuits have been tested, I do a final visual inspection of accessible wiring, check earthing and bonding at the consumer unit and any supplementary bonding points, and assess the overall condition of the installation. I then come and find you and walk through everything I found in plain English, what the codes mean, what needs doing, and in what order of urgency. Nothing goes on the report without me explaining it to you first. Smoke and CO alarm provision is one of the most commonly flagged items during landlord EICRs. See what the 2022 regulations require.

The written EICR is a formal document listing every circuit, every test result, and every observation with its code. It ends with an overall verdict of Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory, signed and dated. I issue it digitally on the day. You’ll have it in your inbox before I’ve packed my van. For landlords, that means you can forward it to your tenant or letting agent immediately. If remedial work is needed, I’ll give you a separate written estimate. No commitment required, and no pressure.

EICR York — Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an EICR cost in York?

£180 plus VAT for a board of up to six circuits, then £15 plus VAT for each circuit above six, so an 8-circuit property comes to £210 plus VAT (£252 including VAT). Outside York, add £15 plus VAT if you are more than 6 miles from York, or £30 plus VAT if you are more than 10 miles. The price covers the full inspection, all testing, and the written report. Remedial work, if needed, is estimated and agreed separately. You’re never committed to anything extra. See the full breakdown by circuit count →

Why circuit-based pricing rather than bedrooms?

Because circuits determine how long the EICR takes, bedrooms don’t. Every circuit needs individual testing. The bedroom count tells you very little about what is actually in the consumer unit. Pricing by bedrooms either overcharges some customers or creates an incentive to rush. I price by what actually drives the work. More on this here →

Do landlords legally need an EICR in York?

Yes. Every private rental property in England must have a valid EICR, renewed every 5 years. If you let a property in England, your council can fine you up to £40,000 for breaching the electrical safety rules, a maximum that rose from £30,000 on 1 November 2025 (or on 1 May 2026 for social housing tenancies granted before 1 December 2025). It applies per breach rather than per property, so a local authority can impose more than one. I can coordinate directly with tenants and letting agents, the process doesn’t have to involve you chasing access.

How many circuits does a typical York property have?

Across the York homes where I have opened up and tested the board, the circuit count has come out between 4 and 12. Older properties with separate lighting circuits per floor, or those with EV chargers, showers, or outbuildings, sit at the top of that range. To count yours, count the switches in your consumer unit that actually feed something, not the number of spaces in it. The main switch is not a circuit, and neither is an RCD sitting at the head of a group in an older split-load board.

What happens if my EICR is unsatisfactory?

I explain every finding in plain English before I leave, then give you a clear written estimate for any remedial work. For landlords, C1 and C2 items must be resolved within 28 days from the report date. You then need to send written confirmation of completion to your tenant and local authority. You’re never committed to remedial work just because I carried out the EICR.

Should I get an EICR before buying a house in York?

Yes. A surveyor can flag concerns but can’t test circuits. An EICR gives you the full electrical picture before you exchange, including what it would cost to fix anything that needs attention. Think of it like a full mechanical check before buying a used car. More conveyancers and lenders are expecting one as standard.

What’s the difference between a satisfactory and unsatisfactory EICR?

Satisfactory means the installation is safe in its current condition. Unsatisfactory means C1 or C2 items were found that need remedial work. C3 items, recommendations, don’t affect the overall outcome and there’s no legal obligation to act on them, though they’re worth addressing if you’re planning other electrical work anyway.

How much does an EICR cost for an 8-circuit property in York?

An EICR in York is £180 plus VAT for a board of up to six circuits, then £15 plus VAT for each circuit above six, so an 8-circuit property is £210 plus VAT (£252 including VAT). Outside York, add £15 plus VAT if the property is more than 6 miles from York, or £30 plus VAT if it is more than 10 miles. The price includes the full inspection, all testing and the written report. Remedial work, if needed, is estimated and agreed separately.

Can an EICR be done while tenants are living in the property in York?

Yes, absolutely. I coordinate directly with tenants and letting agents. The power goes off circuit by circuit, usually 20-40 minutes per circuit. I work through circuits in an order that minimises disruption, fridge and freezer are tested last. Most inspections happen during working hours without requiring tenants to leave.

Do I need a full rewire if my EICR has C2 findings in York?

Not necessarily. A full rewire is only recommended if the findings are extensive and affect the core installation. Often a targeted repair, replacement of a specific circuit, or consumer unit upgrade solves the problem. I'll give you a clear, honest estimate for whatever work is actually needed, never overselling.

Is an EICR required for a house sale in York?

Not legally required. Electrical Safety First says plainly that you do not need one in order to sell, though buyers, surveyors and lenders increasingly expect to see one. A satisfactory report is like a service history on a used car. It is also a lot cheaper than finding the problems after you have bought. Separately, electrical work that was notifiable should have its certificate or building control record, and a missing one does hold sales up.

What's the difference between a C1 and C2 finding on my EICR in York?

C1 means danger is present and needs acting on straight away. C2 means potentially dangerous. Either one makes the report unsatisfactory, and both need putting right. If you are a landlord, the law gives you 28 days from the date of the inspection, or less if the report says so, to get remedial work done. I explain every finding in plain English before I leave, and give you a written estimate for the remedial work.

How long does an EICR take for a 3-bedroom HMO or rental property in York?

A 3-bed HMO takes 3 to 5 hours. The time depends on the circuit count and age of the installation, not the bedroom count. I can coordinate directly with letting agents and tenants to minimise disruption. The inspection works around occupied tenancies.

Why does Bright Sparks price EICRs by circuit count rather than bedrooms?

Because circuits determine how long the EICR takes, bedrooms don't. Every circuit must be individually tested. The bedroom count tells you very little about what is actually in the consumer unit. Pricing by bedrooms either overcharges customers with simple installations or creates an incentive to rush through complex ones. Circuit-based pricing reflects the actual work and is the only honest way.

Useful reading

Book an EICR in York

One property or twenty. I’ll make it straightforward. Tell me the circuit count or I’ll count on arrival.

Book an EICR WhatsApp Me Call 01904 530 735