Eicr

starving_artist

I'm planning to make some changes to lighting and install extractor fans in a couple of rooms (kitchen and bathroom) in a one bedroom flat. The electrician has suggested that he first carries out an EICR test and report on the fuseboard which is about 30 years old and has 4 circuits with rewireable fuses. He said it would take a day and cost about £300 depending on what he finds. Does that sound right?

dj1471

That's around double the going rate, get some more quotes...

TheCyclingProgrammer

As above you should pay between £150-200 max depending on whether the electrician is charging VAT.

Im assume you're aware of Part P building regs and that the bathroom extractor is likely to be notifiable (unless you intended to fit an inline extractor outside the bathroom e.g. In the loft)

Does the circuit you intend to wire the extractor up to have RCD protection?

starving_artist

TheCyclingProgrammer wrote: »

As above you should pay between £150-200 max depending on whether the electrician is charging VAT.

Im assume you're aware of Part P building regs and that the bathroom extractor is likely to be notifiable (unless you intended to fit an inline extractor outside the bathroom e.g. In the loft)

Does the circuit you intend to wire the extractor up to have RCD protection?

Thanks for replying.

Yes I definitely will need the certification and no, the none of the circuits have RCD protection.

brightontraveller

As a general rule you pay for the number of Fuses/ circuits with normally a minimum charge £125 - 175 (for 5 – 6 Fuses) between £30 -60 each extra this may vary depending on number of factors location, demand etc …

You can nearly always find something wrong ? C1, C2 and C3. Each code has a
particular meaning:
http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/mediafile/100126678/best-Practice-Guide-4.pdf
maybe difference between pass and fail?

Some do test “cheaper” because if you look hard enough you will find observations/ faults (see above link ) that need rectifying? Not to say they are ripping client off just there money in the bank e.g 60 year old installation that’s had 50 years of diy “improvements” so when you hear that’s high, low etc its not the whole story…

fluffpot

The price will depend on where you are located eg higher in London, less out in the sticks. Does seem a bit high though

However, the electrician only needs to test the circuits he/she is going to be working on (ie adding to) which in this case might just be 1 lighting circuit

Rules have changed and notifiable work now is only for a brand NEW circuit OR changes to a circuit in the zones of a bathroom. Anything outside the zones doesn't need notifying. The extent of zones 0-2 is 2.25 m above the floor and 600 mm to the side of the bath (look online for a better explanation!)

He/she will have to fit RCD protection to buried cables, but this could be in the form of an RCD connection unit just for the lights.

I think you could get away with not having an EICR done on this basis, although of course it will not be wasted money as it may highlight safety issues and/or give you peace of mind.

hope this helps

Fluff

starving_artist

Thanks to all the above for really helpful advice.

baldelectrician

I would suggest the cost may be a bit high.


Instead of a full check (with a report) it may be an idea to have a consumer unit upgrade (and bonding if required)


This will come in about the £350-£500 mark and you will get a wiring check (test) certificate as well.
The consumer unit change will include an EIC (electrical installation certificate)

starving_artist

baldelectrician wrote: »

I would suggest the cost may be a bit high.


Instead of a full check (with a report) it may be an idea to have a consumer unit upgrade (and bonding if required)


This will come in about the £350-£500 mark and you will get a wiring check (test) certificate as well.
The consumer unit change will include an EIC (electrical installation certificate)

Actually he suggested doing that as well or (at least putting RCDs on each circuit) for another £400-500.

Risteard

baldelectrician wrote: »

I would suggest the cost may be a bit high.


Instead of a full check (with a report) it may be an idea to have a consumer unit upgrade (and bonding if required)


This will come in about the £350-£500 mark and you will get a wiring check (test) certificate as well.
The consumer unit change will include an EIC (electrical installation certificate)

An Electrical Installation Certificate pertaining to the replacement of a Distribution Board does not certify anything else. It certifies only the work detailed within it. Really a periodic inspection recorded through an Electrical Installation Condition Report, on the other hand, will report on the condition of the electrical installation notwithstanding any agreed limitations on the inspection.

starving_artist

Risteard wrote: »

An Electrical Installation Certificate pertaining to the replacement of a Distribution Board does not certify anything else. It certifies only the work detailed within it. Really a periodic inspection recorded through an Electrical Installation Condition Report, on the other hand, will report on the condition of the electrical installation notwithstanding any agreed limitations on the inspection.

Now I'm glad you told me that because I've just spoken to another electrician and he talked about doing a periodic inspection and I thought it was the same thing as an EICR. He also said it would take an hour and cost £120. He estimated £300 for a new fuseboard.

Also, I've just been trying to check on NICEIC website the electricians who say they are registered with them. I'm struggling to find any of them - is the search facility a bit rubbish?