Braintree Electrical ServicesBraintree, Essex
EICR for Buying or Selling Braintree CM7
Buying or selling a home often raises questions about the wiring.
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Wiring checks for a property sale or purchase
An EICR, or electrical installation condition report, records the state of a property's fixed electrical installation so everyone knows where they stand. Braintree Electrical Services offers EICR for buying or selling across Braintree, Witham, Halstead, Coggeshall and Kelvedon.
What happens, step by step
A typical EICR for a property sale or purchase runs along these lines.
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Enquiry | You send the enquiry form with the property address, town and whether it is occupied or empty. |
| 2. Arrangements | The access details and a suitable visit are agreed with you. |
| 3. Inspection | The fixed wiring, sockets, switches and consumer unit are visually checked. |
| 4. Testing | Electrical testing is carried out on the circuits, and the results are recorded. |
| 5. Report | You receive the condition report with its observations and overall verdict. |
| 6. Next steps | Any remedial work shown in the report can be discussed as a separate job. |
Every property is different, so the exact steps can vary.
What an EICR involves when you buy or sell
An EICR is an inspection and testing exercise on the fixed electrical installations in a property: the wiring, sockets, switches, light fittings and the consumer unit, which many people still know as the fuse board. The aim is to check that these parts are safe to keep using, and to look for damage, wear, overloaded circuits and poor earthing or bonding.
The result is an electrical installation condition report, sometimes shortened to installation condition report. It lists what was inspected, what testing was carried out and any observations, each with a code showing how urgent it is. The report ends with an overall verdict of satisfactory or unsatisfactory. An unsatisfactory result usually means remedial work is needed first.
Portable items such as kettles and lamps are not part of an EICR. It covers what is fixed into the property.
When to get in touch and book
The best time is early in the sale. Sellers who arrange an EICR before listing can see any problems, deal with them calmly and hand the condition report to buyers. Buyers can ask for a report once an offer is agreed, or arrange their own inspection before contracts are exchanged if the seller has none.
Leave it too late and a fault found at the last minute can slow things down or reopen the price. Allow time for any remedial work as well as for the inspection.
A domestic installation is commonly inspected about every five years, and sooner when occupants change. Among the frequently asked questions from sellers is whether an older report will still do. That depends on its age and on any changes made since, so check with your solicitor or lender. If you would like to book, use the enquiry form with the property address, the town and whether it is occupied or empty.
Domestic EICR, landlords and commercial buildings
A domestic EICR covers houses, flats and bungalows, and for a sale it is usually the same inspection a homeowner would arrange for peace of mind. Landlords selling a rented property may already hold a recent report, because rules for the private rented sector set electrical safety standards that include regular inspection, commonly within five years. Rules can change, so check GOV.UK for the current position. Landlords who need regular reports can look at the Landlord EICR service.
Buying or selling a shop, office or unit is different. A commercial EICR deals with a larger or more complex installation, and the safety standards it is measured against can differ from those for a home. Say clearly what kind of property it is when you enquire.
What affects the cost, and what comes after
The cost of the EICR itself depends mainly on the size of the property, the number of circuits, the type and condition of the consumer unit, and how easy it is to reach sockets, switches and the fuse board. An empty property is often simpler to inspect than a full one, though the power needs to be on.
The inspection is a separate job from any follow-up. The report only records what was found. If it lists faults, remedial work is a different piece of work, priced according to what is needed, whether that is a few replaced accessories or a new consumer unit. You can usually decide who carries out that work, and a buyer and seller can agree between themselves who pays for it.
Questions about this
Who pays for an EICR when a property is sold?
There is no single rule. It is a matter for the buyer and seller to agree, often through their solicitors. Some sellers arrange one in advance to avoid delays.
Does an EICR include fixing the faults it finds?
No. The EICR is the inspection, testing and written report. Any remedial work is a separate job that follows once you have seen the results.
How long does an EICR last for a sale?
There is no fixed expiry for a sale. A report is commonly treated as current for around five years, but a lender, buyer or solicitor may have their own view. Check GOV.UK and ask them.
Can the inspection be done on an empty property?
Yes, and it can be easier. The electricity supply does need to be switched on so the testing can be carried out safely.
What you get
A clear picture of the wiring
The report gives buyers and sellers a written record of the electrical installation condition, so surprises are less likely to appear late in a sale.
Serves Braintree and nearby towns
Braintree Electrical Services covers Braintree, Witham, Halstead, Coggeshall and Kelvedon, so you can ask about a property in any of them.
Related work in one place
If the report points to an ageing fuse board or other faults, consumer unit upgrades and general electrician work are among the services offered.