Electrical test certificate

Gam2015

Hi my property buyer is asking for an Electrical check how much do these usually cost? And is it similar to like a gas safety certificate? I’ve never had one done before. Thanks 

maisie_cat

There is no requirement to have a test unless the property is let, so unless you happen to have one the buyer would normally arrange their own if they want one.

Soot2006

You don't need to do this, but when we  were selling our FTB wanted one and to be honest it felt like a show of good faith to get one done. I got it done and was very glad that I did as house had a few failing things (not actively dangerous unless you stick your finger in sort of stuff, but looks frightening on paper). So my electrician fixed those up as cheap as possible and was able to issue a passing certificate with only the minor concerns noted ... And this is exactly why I would always, as a buyer, send my own electrician! Though luckily for my buyer, we fixed/replaced everything the electrician assessed as dangerous and made safe and compliant, we just didn't pay for high quality fittings. E.g. there was apparently an exposed  wire in the garage on the lighting system . On the roof.  Needed a new fitting. Instead, our electrician removed all the fittings and replaced with "blanks" or something. So buyers now had no garage light, but at least they couldn't electrocute themselves on it any more!

Soot2006

Soot2006 said:

You don't need to do this, but when we  were selling our FTB wanted one and to be honest it felt like a show of good faith to get one done. I got it done and was very glad that I did as house had a few failing things (not actively dangerous unless you stick your finger in sort of stuff, but looks frightening on paper). So my electrician fixed those up as cheap as possible and was able to issue a passing certificate with only the minor concerns noted ... And this is exactly why I would always, as a buyer, send my own electrician! Though luckily for my buyer, we fixed/replaced everything the electrician assessed as dangerous and made safe and compliant, we just didn't pay for high quality fittings. E.g. there was apparently an exposed  wire in the garage on the lighting system . On the roof.  Needed a new fitting. Instead, our electrician removed all the fittings and replaced with "blanks" or something. So buyers now had no garage light, but at least they couldn't electrocute themselves on it any more!

PS - ours was £180 for 2-bedroom propery 2 years ago + about £100 for the fixes.

canaldumidi

Tell your buyer that you will be happy to facilitate access for whatever professionals he wishes to employ - surveyor, electrician, gas engineer etc.

No reason for you to arrange this.

dimbo61

I would agree with others and suggest that the buyer find his/her own electrician to carry out the EICR report.
Unless your home is only a few years old it won't meet the latest 18th edition of the electrical standards.
However there are major dangerous defects which could Kill and other less dangerous or important items ! 
The electrician will produce a report and highlight any issues.
Cost about £175/250 

london21

I paid £120 for a 3 bedroom house, but the buyer does this if they want but you do not have to pay for it.

A requirement if renting. 

m0bov

Buyer arranges.

jacko74

I suppose it's a bit of a catch 22 situation, my initial reaction would be to tell the buyer they are more than welcome to arrange whatever professional inspection they wish at their own expense, but then you run the risk that they may engage the services of a ''friendly'' electrician who exaggerates the seriousness and cost to rectify of any issues... and you then have to start arguing the toss with them and possibly employing your own electrician for a second opinion.

desthemoaner

Another vote for "buyer arranges".

We didn't have an EICR for our first 3 houses. For the first one we had it rewired before moving in because the electrics were positively vintage, the second it never occurred to me to get one done and we had to have expensive upgrades completed prior to selling it. For the third an electrician owned it before our sellers, so I assumed it would be OK. It wasn't.

Since then we've bought 3 more times and always had an EICR completed. Cost of the most recent one was £144 for a very detailed and comprehensive report on a 2 bed detached property in North Wales. 

saajan_12

Depends who's more keen.. Usually buyer arranges surveys, so this is just another more specialist survey. For a owner occupied house, its not the norm that you'd have one already. 
However if you're more keen on keeping them, then you could offer to arrange and pay for it. To get an idea of pricing, OpenRent offer them at £160 + £10/ bedroom. Remember cheaper reports may lean towards being more critical in the hopes of making their money back by charging you for the work to remediate the 'problems' they find.