If you are a landlord in Exeter with a rental property, or a homeowner who has just received a quote for an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), you may be wondering whether the price you have been quoted is fair. This guide covers everything you need to know about EICR costs in Exeter in 2024.
Typical EICR Prices in Exeter
EICR prices in Exeter depend primarily on the size of the property and the number of circuits. Here are the typical market rates in Exeter and the surrounding Devon area:
| Property Type | Typical Price Range |
|---|---|
| Studio or 1-bedroom flat | £80–£120 |
| 1–2 bedroom property | £100–£150 |
| 3–4 bedroom house | £150–£200 |
| 5+ bedroom house | £200–£300 |
| HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) | £200–£400+ |
| Commercial property | Price on assessment |
These are typical market rates in Exeter and may vary between electricians. Always get a quote before booking.
What Affects the Price of an EICR?
1. Number of Circuits
The single biggest factor in EICR pricing is the number of circuits in the property. Each circuit needs to be tested individually, and more circuits means more time. A modern 3-bedroom house may have 8–12 circuits; an older property of the same size that has had additions over the years might have 15 or more.
When you book an EICR, the electrician should confirm the number of circuits at the start of the inspection. If the property has significantly more circuits than expected, they may need to revise the price — it is worth confirming this arrangement when you book.
2. Age and Condition of the Installation
Older properties in Exeter — particularly Victorian and Edwardian terraced houses common in areas like St Thomas, Heavitree, and Topsham — often have older wiring that takes longer to test. Older rubber-insulated wiring (common pre-1960s) and aluminium wiring (fitted in some 1960s–70s properties) present specific challenges.
Older installations also tend to generate more observations on the EICR, which means more detailed documentation and potentially more time spent on the report itself.
3. Accessibility
If wiring runs through loft spaces, under floors, or behind fixtures that are difficult to access, inspection takes longer. Properties with multiple outbuildings (garages, sheds with electrical supplies) will also take more time to inspect.
4. HMO Properties
HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) are more complex than standard residential properties. They typically have more circuits, may have additional requirements under their HMO licence, and often need inspection of communal areas as well as individual letting rooms. Expect to pay at the higher end of the scale for an HMO EICR.
What's Included in the Price?
A properly priced EICR should include:
- Visual inspection of the entire fixed electrical installation
- Testing of all circuits using calibrated test equipment
- Testing of the consumer unit / fuse board and all MCBs/RCDs
- Checking of earthing and bonding arrangements
- Production of the formal EICR document with all observations coded
- Provision of the report (typically by email) within 24–48 hours
If an electrician quotes significantly below the market rate ranges above, check that they are a registered competent person (NICEIC, NAPIT, or equivalent) and that the quote includes a proper signed report — not just a visual inspection.
What Happens If My Property Fails?
An EICR does not technically "pass" or "fail" — it returns a result of either Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. An Unsatisfactory result means C1 or C2 observations have been found that require remedial action.
C1 (Danger Present) observations require immediate action. C2 (Potentially Dangerous) observations must be remedied within 28 days for landlord properties. Once remedial work is complete, you need written confirmation from the electrician — this can be a minor electrical works certificate or a new EICR showing the observations have been addressed.
Remedial works costs depend entirely on what was found. A single C2 observation for inadequate earthing of a socket may be a small job. A C2 requiring replacement of the entire consumer unit will cost £500–£1,000. Make sure you understand the likely remedial costs before committing to an EICR on a property with known older wiring.
EICR Pricing for Landlords with Multiple Properties
Landlords with portfolios of properties in Exeter may be able to negotiate better pricing for multiple EICRs booked at the same time. Combining inspections on the same street or in the same area reduces travel time for the electrician and can result in lower per-property prices.
If you manage properties through a letting agent, ask whether they have a preferred electrician with preferential rates for EICR inspections. Many larger letting agencies in Exeter have these arrangements.
Questions to Ask Before Booking an EICR in Exeter
- 1Are you NICEIC or NAPIT registered? (Check the register — niceic.com or napit.org.uk)
- 2Does the price include the formal EICR report?
- 3How long will the inspection take for a property of this size?
- 4How quickly will I receive the report?
- 5If the property has observations, can you carry out remedial works?
- 6Is the price for a fixed number of circuits, and what happens if there are more?
Summary: EICR Costs in Exeter 2024
For a standard 3-bedroom house in Exeter, expect to pay £150–£200 for an EICR from a reputable, NICEIC-registered electrician. Smaller properties start from around £100. HMOs and larger properties will be priced on assessment.
The cheapest quote is not always the best value — ensure the electrician is properly registered, provides a formal signed report, and can carry out remedial works if needed.
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