If you’re booking an EICR for a rental property, house sale, insurance request, or just peace of mind, the worry is usually the same: will the electrics pass, and what happens if they don’t?
I carry out EICR inspections across Tamworth for homeowners, landlords and letting agents who need clear answers, not vague electrical fog. An EICR checks whether the fixed wiring is safe, correctly protected, properly earthed, and suitable for continued use. That includes the consumer unit, sockets, lights, earthing, bonding, RCD protection, cable condition, and signs of overheating, damage or poor previous work.
A typical domestic EICR takes around 4–8 hours, depending on the size and condition of the property. Once the inspection and testing are complete, I email the report over, showing whether the installation is satisfactory or unsatisfactory, along with any faults or remedial work needed.
Common faults I find during EICRs in Tamworth homes
Many faults picked up during an EICR are not dramatic at first glance. The lights may work, the sockets may power appliances, and the consumer unit may appear “fine” to the homeowner. The problem is that an EICR is not just checking whether electricity is present. It is checking whether the installation is safe under fault conditions.
Some of the most common EICR faults found in Tamworth homes include:
- Lack of 30 mA RCD protection on sockets, bathroom circuits, outside supplies or older lighting circuits
- Damaged or worn sockets, switches and accessories
- Poor DIY alterations hidden behind walls, in lofts or around garages
- Broken ring final circuits where the cable is no longer continuous
- Loose connections in consumer units, sockets, lights or shower isolators
- Missing or poor earthing and bonding
- Damaged cables caused by old work, rodents, heat, screws or poor routing
- Shower, cooker or hob circuits overloaded or badly altered
- Outside electrics damaged by weather, water ingress and corrosion
These are the sorts of issues that can turn a working installation into an unsatisfactory report.
A real EICR example from Dosthill
A few months ago, I carried out an EICR on a large bungalow on Blackwood Road in Dosthill, Tamworth. The property had several problems that I regularly see during domestic inspections.
There was a lack of earth continuity where sockets had been added to a ring circuit and cabled incorrectly. Instead of one complete ring, the circuit had effectively been split into sections. That matters because the cables may no longer be protected in the way the circuit was originally designed.
There were also insulation resistance issues where cables had likely been damaged by work carried out over the years. A shower isolator had been placed in the loft, where it could not be easily reached when needed. The cooker circuit had been overloaded after an induction hob was installed onto a lower-capacity cable, with an oven also running from a junction box. That needed a new circuit.
The garage also looked like a DIY installation. Cables had been thrown across roof joists with little protection, despite the loft area being used for storage. That kind of wiring is a fault waiting to happen. Working for years, then one stored box, sharp edge or crushed cable turns it into a real problem.
What happens when you book an EICR
I keep the process simple.
First, we have a free phone consultation so I can understand the property, why the EICR is needed, and whether there are any known problems. I can then arrange a site visit soon afterwards if required.
After that, I send a written quote by email confirming the details discussed. Once agreed, we book a convenient date for the inspection.
On the day of the EICR, power will usually be off for much of the day while inspection and testing is carried out. I use a multifunction tester so the required tests are available as needed, including checks on bonding, continuity, insulation resistance, polarity, RCD operation, earthing and circuit condition.
Soon afterwards, the EICR is emailed to you. If remedial work is needed, I provide a clear quote so you know what needs doing and what it will cost before going ahead.
Why landlords, letting agents and homeowners use me
I’m Carl McGrath from Tamworth Electricians. I’m a NAPIT registered electrician for all general work with NVQ Level 3 training and years of experience carrying out this type of domestic electrical work around Tamworth.
For landlords and letting agents, the main benefit is clarity. You need to know whether the property is satisfactory, what needs attention, and what to do next. For homeowners, it is often about safety, especially in older properties with ageing fuse boards, old wiring, DIY alterations or a history of electrical add-ons.
Tamworth Electricians has 90+ 5-star reviews, and I aim to respond within 2 hours. I also offer free visits and quotes, so you are not guessing what the job might cost before anyone has looked properly.
What others often get wrong
Some of the worst EICR findings come from previous work that was never tested, certified or notified properly. I often see DIY consumer unit changes, added sockets with no proper ring continuity, cables run without protection, and RCDs that still allow power through but do not trip correctly when tested.
A common one is a non-functioning RCD. To the customer, everything seems normal because the sockets still work. During testing, however, the RCD may fail to trip quickly enough, or fail to trip at all. That is exactly why proper inspection and testing matters.
Another common issue is old or damaged accessories. Cracked sockets, loose switches, missing blanks, damaged fuse boards and overheating marks can all affect the outcome of an EICR depending on the severity.
EICR pricing in Tamworth
The pricing anchor for this service is £400, quoted after a free survey or inspection of the job requirements.
That includes:
- Inspection and testing
- EICR report
- Clear explanation of any faults found
- Quote for remedial work if required
If remedial work is needed, I price that separately so you can see what is included before agreeing to any repairs.
Common EICR Faults Found in Tamworth Homes in Tamworth
The most common EICR faults found in Tamworth homes usually come from age, alterations and lack of modern protection. Older consumer units, missing RCD protection, DIY additions, damaged accessories and outside electrics are the regular culprits.
An EICR is not there to create unnecessary work. It is there to check whether the installation is safe for continued use and to identify anything that needs repair, improvement or further investigation.
FAQ's
How long does an EICR take?
Most domestic EICRs take around 4–8 hours. Larger properties, older wiring, poor labelling or lots of circuits can make the inspection take longer.
How much does an EICR cost in Tamworth?
The pricing anchor is £400, quoted after a free survey or inspection. If remedial work is needed, I provide a separate quote so you know what you are paying for.
Will the power be off during the EICR?
Yes, power will usually be off for much of the day while testing is carried out. I’ll explain this before the appointment so you can plan around it.
What happens if the EICR is Unsatisfactory?
If the report is unsatisfactory, I’ll explain the faults and provide a quote for remedial work. Once the required repairs are completed, the installation can be updated accordingly.
Do old fuse boxes automatically fail an EICR?
No, an old fuse box is not automatically unsafe just because it is old. However, older boards often lack RCD protection, have poor labelling, damaged parts, missing blanks or signs of overheating.
Do you inspect rental properties?
Yes, I carry out EICRs for landlords and letting agents in Tamworth. The aim is to give you a clear report and a straightforward route to remedial work if anything is found.
Are remedial works guaranteed?
Yes, remedial work comes with a 12-month warranty. I also provide clear quotes before carrying out repairs.
If you need an EICR in Tamworth, call me and I’ll give you honest advice, arrange a free visit if needed, and explain the next step clearly. No fog machine, no mystery pricing, just a proper inspection and a clear report.
Call Carl at Tamworth Electricians on 01827 799 876
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