I have always been happy with the quality of work delivered by Oval Electrical over the last few years.
An EICR is a detailed safety check of the electrical installation in your home or rental property, designed to identify anything unsafe, damaged or no longer compliant with current standards. At Oval Electrical, an EICR in Hove typically costs around £150–£250 for a standard home, with any remedial work quoted separately once we know exactly what needs doing.
What is an EICR and why do you need one?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) involves inspecting and testing the fixed electrical installation, including sockets, switches, lighting, wiring, the consumer unit and earthing arrangements. We’re looking for signs of damage, deterioration, poor workmanship or anything that could present a safety risk.
For homeowners, an electrical inspection can give you peace of mind that the electrics you rely on every day are safe. It can also be particularly useful if you’re buying, selling or renovating a property.
For landlords, regular electrical inspections are a legal requirement. In most rented properties in England, landlords must have the electrical installation inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified person and provide tenants with the relevant report. If you’re a landlord arranging an EICR in Hove, it’s important to use a suitably qualified electrician.
What happens during an EICR in Hove?
When we arrive, we’ll have a chat about the property and any electrical concerns you may already have. We then carry out a visual inspection before testing the installation. Some tests may involve temporarily switching off the electricity, so we’ll always explain what we’re doing.
We’ll check things such as the condition of wiring, socket outlets, lighting circuits, protective devices, earthing and bonding. We may need access to rooms, the consumer unit and other electrical equipment, so it helps to make sure these areas are accessible.
During a recent electrical inspection, we visited a three-bedroom Victorian terrace with a basement on Livingstone Road. The bathroom spotlights appeared to be working perfectly, so there was nothing obvious to suggest a problem. However, testing revealed that the inner cores of the cable were visible. This meant the cable no longer had the required insulation protection. Even more concerning, we found that the earth cable had been cut off. With metal light fittings, the earth cable is a crucial safety measure. If the fitting became live because of a fault, the earth connection helps provide a safe path for the fault current and allows protective devices to operate.
What happens after an EICR?
Once the test is complete, you’ll receive a report explaining our findings. If everything is fine, you’ll receive a satisfactory mark. If we identify issues, they’ll be recorded using the appropriate classification and we’ll explain what needs attention and why.
For homeowners and landlords, our aim is to make the process straightforward, with clear advice rather than confusing electrical jargon. The cost of remedial work will depend entirely on what we find, and we’ll discuss this with you before carrying out any additional work.
If you need an EICR in Hove, whether you’re a homeowner wanting peace of mind or a landlord keeping your property compliant, Oval Electrical is happy to help. Contact us today by phone on 01273 282173 or via our contact form to arrange your EICR in Hove.