If you are booking an Electrical Installation Condition Report, one of the first practical questions is usually: how long does an EICR take? For most homes in Brighton, the answer is measured in hours rather than minutes, but there is no single fixed duration that applies to every property.
The time needed depends on the size of the property, the number of circuits, the age and condition of the installation, how easy it is to access sockets and fittings, and whether the electrician discovers anything that needs closer investigation. A small, straightforward flat may be completed relatively quickly, while a larger or older property can take considerably longer.
At BKA Electrical, we carry out EICR testing in Brighton for homeowners, landlords, buyers and property professionals. This guide explains what affects the inspection time, what happens during the visit and how you can prepare so the test runs as smoothly as possible.
How Long Does an EICR Usually Take?
As a practical guide, many domestic EICRs take a few hours. A smaller flat with a relatively modern, accessible installation may be quicker, while a larger house, an older installation or a property with a high number of circuits can take much longer.
There is no fixed duration that applies to every property. A smaller domestic installation may be completed in a few hours, while a larger home or a more complex installation can take longer. The important point is that an EICR is not simply a quick visual check: it involves inspection and electrical testing of the fixed installation, so the time needed has to reflect the amount of work required to assess it properly.
For landlords, the legal requirement is not based on how quickly the test is completed. In England, rented properties must have the electrical installation inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years, or sooner if the previous report specifies an earlier date. You can read the current government guidance on electrical safety in rented properties, or our landlord EICR service in Brighton.
What Affects How Long an EICR Takes?
1. The size of the property
A studio or one-bedroom flat usually has fewer circuits and fewer electrical points to inspect than a large family home. More rooms normally means more sockets, switches, lighting points and circuits to work through.
2. The number of circuits
The circuit count is often more important than the number of bedrooms. A property that has been extended or heavily upgraded may have separate circuits for kitchens, showers, outbuildings, heating, electric vehicle charging, outside lighting or other equipment. Each circuit adds to the inspection and testing work.
3. The age and condition of the electrics
Older Brighton properties can contain installations that have been altered at different times by different contractors. Previous additions, older consumer units, mixed wiring types or unclear circuit identification can all make an inspection take longer.
If the installation is straightforward and well labelled, testing is normally easier. If something unusual is found, the electrician may need extra time to understand what is happening before completing the report.
4. Access to sockets, switches and the consumer unit
Access makes a real difference. Sockets hidden behind heavy furniture, a consumer unit blocked by stored items, locked rooms or areas that cannot be reached can slow the inspection down.
Before the appointment, it helps to make the consumer unit accessible and clear reasonable access to electrical points where possible.
5. Faults or unusual test results
An EICR may uncover a result that needs further investigation. For example, the electrician may find an issue with earthing, protective devices, circuit continuity or insulation resistance. A report should not be rushed simply to meet a fixed appointment length.
If observations are recorded, they are given classification codes. Our guide to C1, C2, C3 and FI codes on an EICR explains what those codes mean.
Will the Power Be Switched Off During an EICR?
Yes, you should expect some interruption to the electricity supply during parts of the inspection. Certain tests require circuits to be safely isolated before testing can be carried out.
The whole property is not necessarily without power for the entire appointment, but there will usually be periods where individual circuits or the installation are switched off. If you work from home, rely on desktop computers or have equipment that should not lose power unexpectedly, it is worth planning for this before the appointment.
Where a property has tenants, children, home-working occupants or sensitive equipment, let the electrician know at the start so the testing can be managed sensibly.
What Happens During the EICR?
The electrician will assess the condition of the fixed electrical installation. This includes the consumer unit, wiring, protective devices, sockets, switches, lighting circuits, earthing and bonding arrangements, together with electrical test results from the circuits.
The inspection is designed to identify deterioration, defects and safety issues that may not be obvious during normal use. It is different from simply checking that the lights and sockets work.
For rented properties, Brighton & Hove City Council states that fixed wiring and installations should be certified as safe by a suitably qualified electrician at least every five years, unless an earlier inspection is specified. The council’s electrical safety guidance for landlords gives the local requirements.
How Can You Prepare for an EICR?
A small amount of preparation can make the visit easier:
- Make sure the consumer unit is accessible.
- Clear reasonable access to sockets and electrical points where possible.
- Let the electrician know about any known electrical problems.
- Tell tenants or other occupants that the power may be interrupted.
- Save work and safely shut down sensitive electrical equipment before testing begins.
- If you have a previous EICR or electrical certificates, have them available if possible.
If you are arranging the inspection before buying a property, our guide on getting an EICR when buying a house in Brighton explains how the report can help before completion.
Does a Longer EICR Mean Something Is Wrong?
Not necessarily. A longer inspection can simply mean the property is larger, has more circuits or requires more access and testing.
However, if the electrician finds unexpected results, older alterations or circuits that are difficult to identify, extra investigation may be needed. The objective is to produce a reliable assessment of the installation, not to finish within an arbitrary time.
What Happens After the Inspection?
Once the inspection and testing are complete, an EICR is produced showing whether the installation is satisfactory for continued use and listing any observations.
If the report contains C1, C2 or FI observations, it will normally be classed as unsatisfactory and further work or investigation will be needed. Our Brighton guide to what happens after an unsatisfactory EICR explains the next steps.
For landlords, current government guidance requires necessary remedial or further investigative work identified by the report to be completed within 28 days, or sooner if the report specifies a shorter period.
How Long Should You Allow for Your Appointment?
If you are planning your day around an EICR, it is sensible to allow several hours and avoid arranging something immediately afterwards that depends on the electrician finishing at a precise time.
A properly completed EICR should take as long as the installation requires. Property size, circuit count, access and the condition of the electrics all affect the final duration.
If you need an EICR in Brighton or Hove, BKA Electrical can inspect and test the installation, explain the findings clearly and advise on any remedial work that may be required. We are NAPIT registered and work across Brighton & Hove.