Landlords & letting agents
To assess the fixed electrical installation and maintain appropriate records for a rented property.
EICR & Electrical Testing in Fife
Electrical Installation Condition Reports help identify the condition of a property’s fixed wiring, consumer unit, circuits and accessories. Fife Electricians carries out clear, professional EICR testing for homeowners, landlords, buyers and businesses across Fife.
- Domestic, landlord and commercial EICRs
- Clear reports, explained in plain English
- Remedial work and certification where required
NAPIT Registered
City & Guilds 2391
Domestic & Commercial
Clear Reports & Remedials
The basics
What Is an EICR?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is an assessment of the condition of the fixed electrical installation in a property: the permanent wiring and equipment, rather than plug-in appliances. A qualified electrician inspects and tests the installation and records its condition in a formal report. Depending on the property, the inspection can include:
- The consumer unit (fuse box) and its protective devices
- Fixed wiring and circuits throughout the property
- Earthing and bonding arrangements
- Sockets, switches and accessories
- Lighting circuits and fixed light fittings
- Signs of wear, damage, deterioration or overheating
- Circuit protection and its suitability
- Electrical safety defects that need attention
- Whether the installation is suitable for continued use
Who it’s for
Who May Need an Electrical Safety Inspection?
People arrange an EICR for all sorts of reasons. Here are the most common, though not every situation is a legal requirement, and we’ll always advise honestly on what your property actually needs.
Homeowners
For reassurance about the condition of the wiring, particularly in an older property or before renovation work.
House buyers & sellers
To understand the condition of the electrics before committing to a purchase, or before putting a home on the market.
Businesses & commercial premises
To assess the condition of fixed wiring in offices, shops, workshops, restaurants, salons and other commercial premises.
Property managers
To keep condition records across managed properties and coordinate any recommended remedial work.
Older or unknown-history properties
Where the age of the installation is uncertain, or where there’s a history of recurring electrical faults worth investigating.
The process
What Happens During an EICR?
A clear, methodical process from first contact to final report.
Initial discussion
We confirm the property type, the reason for testing, access arrangements and any known electrical concerns.
Visual inspection
We inspect the consumer unit, sockets, switches, visible wiring, earthing, bonding and any signs of damage or deterioration.
Electrical testing
We carry out appropriate circuit testing and measurements using professional test equipment.
Assessment
We compare the findings against the relevant electrical safety standards and identify any observations.
Report & explanation
We provide the EICR and explain the findings in clear language, so you understand exactly what it means.
Remedial quotation
Where defects are identified, we provide a clear quotation for the recommended remedial work.
Some circuits may need to be switched off temporarily while testing is carried out. We explain what access and interruption may be required before the inspection begins, so you can plan around it.
Reading the reportC1 C2 C3 FI
Understanding Your EICR Results
If your report lists observations, they’re given a classification code. Here’s what those codes mean in plain English:
Danger present
A defect presenting an immediate risk. Immediate action is required to remove or make the danger safe.
Potentially dangerous
A potentially dangerous defect requiring urgent remedial action.
Improvement recommended
The installation may still be recorded as satisfactory, but an improvement is recommended.
Further investigation required without delay
The inspector cannot fully determine the condition or cause during the initial inspection. Further investigation is required as soon as reasonably practicable.
An EICR containing C1, C2 or FI observations is normally recorded as unsatisfactory. A C3 observation on its own does not make the report unsatisfactory. Whatever your report says, we’ll talk you through it.
Need help understanding an existing EICR? Email your report or call 01592 407374.
If problems are found
What Happens If Your EICR Identifies Problems?
An unsatisfactory report can sound alarming, but it doesn’t automatically mean your property needs a full rewire. Often it means specific, targeted work, and we’ll always tell you honestly what’s actually needed.
- An unsatisfactory report does not automatically mean a whole-house rewire
- The observations may require targeted remedial work, further investigation or more extensive electrical work, depending on what has been found
- Some properties need consumer unit work, earthing upgrades, circuit repairs or partial rewiring
- We explain the findings clearly, in order of priority
- We provide a quotation for the recommended remedial work
- Completed work is tested and appropriately certified
- Depending on the original report, further inspection or confirmation may be needed
Depending on what’s found, remedial work might involve a full or partial rewire, a consumer unit upgrade, or fault finding and repairs, and because we do all of it, you deal with one team from inspection through to completion.
Discuss remedial work
Landlords & agents
EICR Testing for Landlords & Letting Agents
Private landlords in Scotland must ensure that a current electrical safety inspection is in place for the property. The inspection must be completed before the property is let for the first time and repeated at intervals of no more than five years, or sooner where the previous inspection recommends a shorter interval. It does not need to be repeated every time a new tenancy begins if the existing inspection is still current. Before the tenancy starts, the incoming tenant must be given copies of the current EICR and the relevant in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment report, commonly called the PAT report.
For private rented properties, the wider electrical safety inspection includes an EICR covering the fixed electrical installation and inspection and testing of electrical equipment supplied by the landlord. PAT testing and the EICR remain separate records, but both may form part of the landlord’s electrical safety responsibilities.
We work with landlords, letting agents and property managers across Fife and can help with:
- Domestic electrical inspections and clear condition reports
- Access coordination where agreed with tenants or agents
- Explanation of observations and what they mean
- Remedial quotations and certification after completed work
- Multiple-property and portfolio enquiries
Scottish Government guidance recognises NAPIT, SELECT and NICEIC as accredited registration schemes when assessing competence for this work. We can advise on the inspection required for your property and provide the appropriate report and certification for the work completed.
Arrange a landlord electrical inspectionHomeowners & buyers
Electrical Inspections for Homeowners & Buyers
There’s no legal requirement for an owner-occupier to have an EICR, but plenty of homeowners and buyers choose to have one for peace of mind. It’s worth considering:
Older properties
Where the installation has some age to it and you’d like to know its true condition, without assuming an older home is automatically unsafe.
Unknown wiring history
When you don’t know when the property was last inspected or what work has been done over the years.
Before renovations
So you can plan any electrical work into a project properly, rather than discovering issues halfway through.
Recurring electrical concerns
If you’ve had tripping, flickering or other niggles and want to understand what’s behind them.
Buying a home
To understand the electrics before you commit, or if a survey or homebuyer’s report has flagged a concern.
Before a major rewire
To confirm whether a full rewire is really needed, or whether targeted work would be enough.
Commercial
Commercial EICR & Electrical Testing in Fife
We carry out fixed-wire testing and EICRs for commercial premises across Fife: offices, shops, restaurants, salons, workshops, warehouses, landlord-controlled commercial units, communal areas and property-management portfolios.
Commercial testing has to be planned carefully around your business, so we take account of:
- How the property is used and accessed
- The circuits and distribution boards involved
- Keeping disruption to business operations sensible
- Areas that need temporary isolation during testing
- Your reporting requirements and any remedial work
Understanding costGet a clear quotation
What Affects the Cost of an EICR?
We provide a clear quotation based on the property and the scope of testing required, rather than using a one-price-fits-all approach. The things that shape the quotation include:
Domestic or commercial: commercial installations are usually more involved.
Property size: larger properties take longer to inspect and test.
Number of circuits: the number and complexity of circuits affects the scope and time required for inspection and testing.
Consumer units / distribution boards: more boards means more to assess.
Accessibility: how easily the installation and its circuits can be reached.
Occupied or vacant: access arrangements can affect how the work is scheduled.
Age and complexity: older or more complex installations can take longer to assess.
Previous reports: whether earlier reports or circuit information are available.
Further investigation: whether anything needs additional investigation.
Remedial work: quoted separately if and when you decide to proceed.
The outcome
What You Receive After an EICR
Once the inspection and testing are complete, you receive a clear report and a proper explanation, never just a verdict with no context. Your EICR includes:
- The completed Electrical Installation Condition Report
- Details of the installation that was inspected
- The test results
- Any observations and their classification codes
- The overall outcome (satisfactory or unsatisfactory)
- A clear explanation of any recommended next steps
- A remedial quotation where you’ve asked for one
Why us
Why Choose Fife Electricians for Your EICR?
An inspection is only as useful as the electrician doing it and how well they explain the results.
- NAPIT registered electricians
- City & Guilds 2391 inspection and testing qualification
- Domestic and commercial experience
- Clear explanations, without unnecessary jargon
- Honest advice on any remedial work
- Testing and certification handled properly
- Local team based in Kirkcaldy
- One company for inspection and any agreed remedial work
Where we work
EICR Testing Across Fife
Based in Kirkcaldy, Fife Electricians carries out domestic, landlord and commercial electrical testing throughout Fife, including Dunfermline, Glenrothes, Leven, Cupar, St Andrews, Cowdenbeath, Burntisland, Dalgety Bay, Dysart, the East Neuk and surrounding towns and villages. Wherever your property is in Fife, we can inspect it and explain what we find. See our Kirkcaldy electricians page or all the areas we cover.
EICR questions
EICR Questions We Get Asked
What is an EICR?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report is a formal assessment of the condition of a property’s fixed electrical installation: the permanent wiring, consumer unit, circuits and accessories. A qualified electrician inspects and tests the installation and records its condition, along with any observations, in a report.
How long does an EICR take?
The time required depends on the size of the property, the number of circuits, accessibility and the complexity of the installation. We can give you a clearer indication once we know the property details.
Does the electricity need to be switched off?
Some circuits need to be switched off temporarily while testing is carried out, so parts of the property may be without power for short periods. We explain what interruption to expect before we begin, so you can plan around it.
What does an EICR inspect?
It covers the fixed electrical installation: the consumer unit, fixed wiring and circuits, earthing and bonding, sockets, switches, lighting, circuit protection and signs of wear or damage. It’s an inspection of the installation, not of plug-in appliances (that’s PAT testing, which is separate).
What do C1, C2, C3 and FI mean?
They’re the classification codes used for observations. C1 means danger present, requiring urgent action. C2 means potentially dangerous, requiring remedial action. C3 means an improvement is recommended. FI means further investigation is required. We explain any codes on your report in plain English.
What makes an EICR unsatisfactory?
An EICR is recorded overall as satisfactory or unsatisfactory depending on the observations. An EICR containing C1, C2 or FI observations is normally recorded as unsatisfactory. A C3 (improvement recommended) does not on its own make a report unsatisfactory.
Does an unsatisfactory EICR mean I need a full rewire?
Not necessarily. The work required depends on the observations recorded in the report. Some findings can be addressed through targeted repairs, consumer unit work, earthing improvements or circuit repairs, while more extensive work may be recommended where the installation’s condition requires it. We’ll explain exactly what’s needed and never push work that isn’t.
Can you complete the remedial work?
Yes. Because we’re a full electrical contractor, we can carry out any recommended remedial work, from small repairs up to a rewire, then test and certify it. You deal with one team from inspection through to completion.
Do homeowners need an EICR?
There’s no legal requirement for an owner-occupier to have an EICR, but many homeowners choose one for peace of mind, particularly in an older property, before renovations, or when buying. It’s about knowing the real condition of your wiring.
Can you inspect a property I am buying?
Yes. A pre-purchase inspection helps you understand the condition of the electrics before you commit, and gives you a clear idea of any remedial costs to factor into your budget or negotiations.
Do you provide landlord electrical certificates?
Yes. We carry out domestic EICRs for landlords, letting agents and property managers across Fife, with clear reports and certification. Landlords and property managers have responsibilities for electrical safety, and we can advise on the inspection required for your property.
Do you carry out commercial EICRs?
Yes. We test offices, shops, restaurants, salons, workshops, warehouses, communal areas and commercial units across Fife, planning the work around your business, access and operating hours.
Is PAT testing included in an EICR?
No. They are separate forms of inspection and have separate records. An EICR assesses the fixed electrical installation, while PAT or in-service inspection and testing covers applicable electrical equipment. For private rented properties in Scotland, electrical equipment supplied by the landlord may also need to be included as part of the landlord’s wider electrical safety inspection. Tenant-owned appliances are not included.
How much does an EICR cost in Fife?
The cost depends on the property type, size, number of circuits and scope of testing. We provide a clear quotation based on the actual installation, rather than a one-price-fits-all figure.
Book an EICR
Get Your EICR Quote
Tell us about the property and what you need, and we’ll come back with a clear, no-obligation quotation. The more detail you can give, the more accurately we can help.