Who Can Carry Out an EICR?

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is the best way to make sure your electrical system is safe and compliant. But for complete assurance, it needs to be done by the right person or company.

In this post, we’ll discuss who can legally carry out an EICR report for your building – and what business owners and facilities managers should look for in an EICR provider.

Who can do an EICR report?

As discussed in our electrical compliance checklist, regular EICR reports are the best way to keep your electrical installation in order and stay compliant with the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974). While you’re not legally obliged as a business owner or facilities manager, it’s certainly recommended to avoid a non-compliance which could result in injury to staff or visitors and could compromise your insurance cover.

On the other hand, they are legally required for landlords at least every five years. Because of this, the government has provided extra guidance on who can carry out an EICR report.

You might be surprised to find out that there are no legal requirements when it comes to who can do an EICR report. However, the government does state that the person or company must be ‘qualified and competent’.

What is ‘qualified and competent’?

It’s fair to say ‘qualified and competent’ is quite a broad definition for your EICR report. In its advice to landlords, the government suggests checking whether they’re a member of a competent person scheme or asking them to certify their competence, experience, insurance and qualifications.

But is that really enough to check whether someone is reliable to do an EICR for the premises you own or manage? We don’t think so.

An EICR provides assurance that the electrical system underpinning your premises and day-to-day operations is safe and efficient – not to mention compliant with the relevant regulations.

In truth, you should be looking for a lot more than basic competence and qualifications to provide a thorough visual and physical inspection of your electrical components…

Why choosing the right EICR provider matters

While the terms ‘qualified’ and ‘competent’ are a helpful starting point, the impact of your decision goes much further. The EICR provider you choose will determine the accuracy of your report, the quality of advice you receive and the confidence you have in the safety of your building.

A poorly conducted EICR could result in:

• Missed faults that go unaddressed, putting people at risk.
• Unnecessary remedial work due to misinterpretation or overly cautious recommendations.
• Non-compliance with safety standards, especially if records are incomplete or not stored properly.

Put simply, choosing the wrong provider may cost your business far more in the long run than working with an experienced and accredited electrical contractor from the start.

Finding someone to carry out an EICR

If you’re looking for someone to do an EICR you can trust, there are three main boxes electricians should tick:

Experience – A trusted electrician will have several years’ experience carrying out EICR reports for companies just like yours. Look for reviews, partnerships and how long they’ve been operating.

Knowledge – As well as knowing the BS 7671 standards like the back of their hand, your chosen electrician should have a full working knowledge of the Electricity at Work Regulations (1989) and the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974).

Accreditation – For full peace of mind, look for accreditations. The Electrical Safety Register and NICEIC are two big trust-marks for an EICR, while SafeContractor can provide more general assurance that inspectors are operating in line with the relevant health and safety legislation.

Questions to ask before you hire an EICR provider

To guarantee you’re choosing the right person or company, it’s worth asking a few key questions:

• Can you provide recent examples of similar work?
  This helps verify their experience and gives you a clearer picture of the type of sites they’ve inspected.
• Are your electricians qualified to City & Guilds 2391 or equivalent?
  This specific qualification demonstrates competence in inspection and testing of electrical installations.
• Do you issue detailed reports with coded observations?
  A proper EICR will grade issues using a classification system (C1, C2, C3, FI), giving you a clear picture of what needs attention.
• What’s your turnaround time for reports and any remedial quotes?
  This gives you an idea of how efficiently you’ll be able to act on any findings.
• Do you use digital reporting and cloud storage?
  Modern providers like Volta Compliance offer digital records that are securely stored and easily accessible – ideal for audit trails and regulatory compliance.

How often should you carry out an EICR?

While the five-year interval is widely cited, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to EICR frequency. The right testing schedule depends on the type of premises, how the installation is used and environmental factors.

However, typical EICR intervals recommended by the IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) are as follows:

• Commercial offices – every five years
• Industrial premises – every three years
• Educational institutions (such as schools) – every five years
• Retail shops – every five years
• Restaurants and hotels – every five years
• Places of public entertainment (e.g. cinemas) – every three years
• Construction sites – every three months

You may also have to test more frequently if:

• The installation is subject to harsh conditions (heat, dust or moisture)
• There has been a change of use or occupancy in the building
• You have experienced persistent electrical issues or outages
• Your insurance provider requires it as part of policy conditions

Ultimately, testing intervals are about risk management. Our team can advise you on a suitable schedule based on your premises, helping you stay compliant without  unnecessary disruption.

The value of ongoing support

An EICR isn’t just a one-off requirement, it should be part of your wider electrical safety strategy. That’s why it’s important to work with a provider who offers ongoing support after the inspection is complete, such as:

• Reminders for your next report based on the recommended testing interval (often every five years, or sooner, depending on your sector).
• Help with prioritising remedial work, so you can budget and plan with minimal disruption.
• Guidance on long-term improvements, such as energy efficiency upgrades or proactive maintenance that can reduce faults in future.

At Volta Compliance, our support doesn’t stop when your report is sent. We help clients keep track of their compliance with our secure cloud portal, which offers 24/7 access to certificates, test results, and reminders all in one place.

EICR carried out by the experts

At Volta Compliance, we meet all of the criteria listed above to provide EICR testing and certificates you can rely on. Operating throughout Leeds and the surrounding areas for over 20 years, we have a long list of happy clients who trust us with their electrical maintenance and compliance.

To find out more or book an EICR inspection for your site, contact us on 0113 436 0402 or email info@voltacompliance.com.