Professional electrical testing in Hampstead & NW3. EICR inspections, landlord certificates, periodic testing. NICEIC approved. From £180.
Electrical Testing Hampstead: EICR & Safety Inspections
Electrical safety testing is a legal requirement for landlords and recommended every 10 years for homeowners. Our NICEIC electricians provide comprehensive electrical testing and EICR certificates across Hampstead and NW3.
Electrical Testing Prices
EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report)
| Property Size | Price | Duration |
|---------------|-------|----------|
| 1-bed flat | £180-£250 | 2-3 hours |
| 2-bed flat | £220-£300 | 3-4 hours |
| 3-bed house | £280-£380 | 4-5 hours |
| 4-bed house | £350-£480 | 5-6 hours |
| 5-bed house | £420-£580 | 6-8 hours |
Additional Testing Services
- PAT testing: From £3 per item
- Emergency lighting: £120-£200
- Fire alarm testing: £150-£280
- Thermal imaging: £200-£350
- Earth bonding test: Included in EICR
What is an EICR?
Full Name
Electrical Installation Condition Report (formerly called Periodic Inspection)
Purpose
- Identifies electrical hazards
- Checks compliance with BS7671
- Assesses condition of wiring
- Tests safety devices
- Recommends remedial work
Who Needs EICR?
#### Legal Requirements
- Landlords: Every 5 years (mandatory since 2020)
- HMOs: Every 5 years
- Commercial properties: Every 5 years
- Insurance: Often required for claims
#### Recommended For
- Homeowners: Every 10 years
- Before house purchase: Buyer's survey
- After renovation: Confirm compliance
- Property over 40 years old: More frequent testing
EICR Test Results Explained
Code C1 - Danger Present
- Meaning: Immediate risk of injury
- Action: Disconnect circuit immediately
- Example: Exposed live parts, missing earthing
- Fail: Certificate cannot be issued
Code C2 - Potentially Dangerous
- Meaning: Urgent remedial work required
- Action: Fix within 28 days recommended
- Example: No RCD protection, damaged cables
- Fail: Unsatisfactory report issued
Code C3 - Improvement Recommended
- Meaning: Not dangerous but could be improved
- Action: Consider upgrading
- Example: Old accessories, limited sockets
- Pass: Satisfactory with recommendations
Satisfactory Result
- No C1 or C2 codes
- May have C3 recommendations
- Valid for 5-10 years
- Acceptable to insurance, buyers, tenants
What We Test
Visual Inspection
- Consumer unit condition
- Socket and switch condition
- Cable damage or deterioration
- Bonding presence
- Warning labels
Physical Testing
- Continuity: All circuits complete
- Insulation resistance: No cable breakdown
- Polarity: Correct connections
- Earth fault loop: Adequate earthing
- RCD operation: Safety device works
Documentation Check
- Previous certificates
- Circuit diagrams
- Alterations history
- As-built drawings
Common Issues Found
In Properties Built Pre-1990
- No RCD protection (C2)
- Inadequate earthing (C2)
- Old rubber cables (C2)
- Insufficient sockets (C3)
- Old fuse board (C2)
In Period Hampstead Properties
- Outdated wiring systems
- Missing bonding
- DIY modifications
- Overloaded circuits
- Lack of documentation
Remedial Work Costs
Typical Repairs Needed
| Issue | Cost Range |
|-------|------------|
| Add RCD protection | £150-£300 |
| Replace damaged socket | £85-£120 |
| Earth bonding | £120-£250 |
| Consumer unit upgrade | £600-£1,000 |
| Circuit replacement | £250-£500 |
| Full rewire | £3,500-£12,000 |
Combined Testing & Repair Package
- Discount: 10-15% off repairs
- Convenience: One visit when possible
- Re-test: Included after repairs
Landlord Requirements
Legal Obligations (Since June 2020)
- EICR every 5 years maximum
- Before new tenancy begins
- Provide copy to tenant
- Fix C1/C2 issues within 28 days
- Provide copy to local authority if requested
Penalties for Non-Compliance
- Up to £30,000 fine
- Prosecution possible
- Invalidates insurance
- Cannot serve Section 21
- Breach of tenancy agreement
EICR Certificate Details
Information Included
- Property address
- Date of inspection
- Next inspection due date
- Test results for all circuits
- List of observations (C1, C2, C3)
- Overall assessment
- Inspector details and signature
Certificate Validity
- Landlords: 5 years
- Homeowners: 10 years recommended
- After major work: New certificate needed
- Changed regulations: May need earlier retest
Preparation for EICR
Before Our Visit
- Ensure access to all areas
- Clear consumer unit area
- Locate meter and main switch
- List any recent electrical work
- Have previous certificates ready
What to Expect
- Power outages during testing
- Access needed to all rooms
- Testing takes 2-8 hours
- Some circuits isolated briefly
- Certificate issued same day or emailed
When to Get EICR
Optimal Timing
- Before purchasing property
- When tenancy changes
- Every 5 years (landlords)
- After flood or fire
- Before major renovations
- When selling property
Urgent Testing Needed If:
- Frequent circuit trips
- Burning smell
- Shocks from appliances
- Flickering lights
- Age over 25 years since last test
Commercial EICR
Business Properties
- Testing every 5 years
- More stringent requirements
- Emergency lighting testing
- Fire alarm integration
- Full documentation essential
Commercial Prices
- Small office: £280-£450
- Retail unit: £350-£600
- Restaurant: £500-£800
- Multi-tenant building: POA
Insurance & EICR
Why Insurers Care
- Confirms electrical safety
- Reduces fire risk
- Validates claims
- May reduce premiums
Insurance Requirements
- Often need EICR within last 5 years
- May require after water damage
- Requested when property empty
- Essential for landlord insurance
PAT Testing vs EICR
PAT (Portable Appliance Testing)
- Tests individual appliances
- Not legally required (most cases)
- Recommended for landlords
- From £3 per item
EICR
- Tests fixed wiring
- Legally required for landlords
- Covers whole electrical system
- From £180 for small flat
Both Recommended
- Complete electrical safety
- Comprehensive coverage
- Often discounted together
Why Choose Hampstead Maintenance?
Our Credentials
✅ NICEIC approved contractor
✅ Part P certified electricians
✅ Fast turnaround: Same-day certificates
✅ Competitive pricing: No hidden fees
✅ Repair service: Fix issues found
Customer Reviews
*"EICR completed efficiently. Clear report, reasonable recommendations."* - Peter, Landlord, Hampstead
*"Found issues our previous test missed. Thorough inspection, fair pricing."* - Maria, Swiss Cottage
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does EICR take?
A: 2-8 hours depending on property size and complexity.
Q: Can I stay during testing?
A: Yes, but expect brief power outages to circuits being tested.
Q: What if my property fails?
A: We provide detailed quote for remedial work. You choose when to proceed.
Q: Is EICR the same as electrical certificate?
A: No. EICR tests existing installation. EIC certifies new electrical work.
Q: Do I need EICR if I just had rewiring done?
A: No, rewiring includes EIC certificate which covers you for 10 years.
Q: Can you test and repair same day?
A: Often yes for minor issues. Major work scheduled separately.
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*Last updated: January 2025. EICR testing prices include VAT and same-day certificate. Landlord packages available. Remedial work quoted separately.*