How To Find An EICR Electrical Contractor
One of the most important documents for your home or business is the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). This report is required to ensure complete electrical safety and compliance with safety regulations, and applies to all kinds of properties.
Whether in a home, workplace or public space, EICRs are needed to ensure that all electrical appliances, systems and wires are in full working order and in line with the current mandates for electrical safety. These reports can also help identify any issues so they can be resolved before they become a major threat.
The electrical contractor you choose is the key to receiving and maintaining an accurate EICR. This is an essential part of the process, as the contractor you choose will be responsible for performing the inspections, creating the report and any additional work that may be needed.
Due to how important it is to get EICR right, finding the right electrician can seem daunting. There are many service providers, but not all of them work to the same standards.
Using our experience as commercial and domestic electricians for decades, SCV Electrical have created this guide to make the process easier for you. We are going to share everything you need to know about finding an EICR electrical contractor, so you can ensure optimal electrical safety at your home or business.
What Is an EICR and Why Is It Important?
An EICR is a formal assessment of electrical installations within a property, determining the safety and condition of all appliances, wires and systems. It is done to locate any wear and tear or damage which may pose risks to the overall electrical safety of the property as well as to ensure the premises are compliant with UK regulations.
All kinds of properties need EICR and these documents are particularly useful for the following:
- Landlords: All tenants need to be provided with a valid EICR, either every five years or upon the start of a new tenancy. This is your legal requirement as the landlord.
- Homeowners: An EICR ensures your electrical systems are safe for everyday use across the home. Getting EICRs done will reduce the risk of electrical fires and shocks.
- Business Owners: Regular EICRs are vital to ensure employee safety and compliance with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulations.
How To Find The Right EICR Electrical Contractor?
Due to how important EICRs are to a wide range of people and premises, they need to be done right. EICRs should be performed by a qualified and competent professional to ensure that they are done correctly and that you are getting the care you need for optimal electrical safety.
There are several factors to consider when looking for an EICR electrical contractor, including:
1) Qualifications And Accreditations
The most important thing to consider when searching for an EICR electrical contractor is whether they are qualified to do these reports in the first place. Performing EICRs is a specialised service and something that electricians need to have additional training for.
To ensure that your report is done accurately and correctly, you need to look for professionals who are registered with the following:
- NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting)
- NAPIT (National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers)
Being registered to these bodies means that the electricians have met stringent competency and safety standards, and are constantly assessed on this. Electricians under these bodies are held to higher standards and have to meet national regulations to hold such an accreditation.
As they are registered to these bodies, you can rest assured that you are choosing a suitable EICR electrical contractor as they will be fully trained in line with the UK Wiring Regulations (BS 7671).
2) Experience With EICRs
As well as being certified, it is vital that the EICR electrical contractor you choose also has experience in doing these reports. Not all electricians who are registered under the official bodies will offer EICRs, as they may specialise in other areas of work.
This is why learning more about the experience of the company and the services they regularly offer will help you find the right contractor for the job. Those with experience or who specialise in EICRs will have a clear understanding of what goes into this work and how to perform it to the highest standards, ensuring your safety.
3) Understanding Of Regulations
Electrical safety standards vary based on the kind of property and intended use, which means your EICR electrical contractor needs to be well-versed in them all to offer an accurate report.
For example, rental properties must meet specific standards, which are listed under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. This varies from the regulations of homeowners, and your EICR electrical contractor should know this to deliver accurate findings.
4) Insurance Coverage
To offer any kind of electrical work, alongside EICRs, your electrician should have public liability insurance. This protects you in the rare event of property damage or injury caused by their work and is a non-negotiable step when hiring electrical contractors for any kind of service.
It is needed to safeguard your investment in the electrician, as well as maintain peace of mind as they deliver the service.
5) Reputation and Reviews
Finally, the reputation of your chosen EICR electrical contractor can say a lot about who you are hiring and should be considered before making your final decision.
It is recommended that you check online reviews, testimonials or case studies of previous work to determine what kind of electrical contractor you are hiring. Companies with positive feedback are those likely to offer professionalism, expertise and excellent customer service during the EICR.
What Does An EICR Electrical Contractor Do?
With the right accreditations and experience, an EICR electrical contractor should be able to offer a complete service. An accurate and professional EICR will include the following:
- Perform a detailed visual inspection of all electrical components across the property.
- Test all fixed wiring and circuits to ensure electrical safety.
- Identify any “danger present” or “potentially dangerous” findings and document these in the report.
- Recommend precise remedial work if any hazards are discovered during the inspection.
- Provide a comprehensive and easy-to-understand EICR upon completion that you can keep in your records.
In many cases, an EICR electrical contractor will be able to perform the remedial works that may be needed or can recommend another professional to do so. Hiring an experienced and certified EICR electrical contractor should be a hassle-free experience, as they are competent and offer the direct care you need.
How Can SCV Electrical Help?
SCV Electrical is a NICEIC-approved company that offers a range of commercial and domestic electrical services across London. We specialise in EICRs and provide a comprehensive service, complete with repeat assessments and ongoing care to ensure your property is always in line with regulations.
Our team is fully competent and certified to offer EICRs as well as additional electrical care. We have a great reputation for our work and have supported all kinds of business owners, property managers and homeowners with our services over the years.
If you are looking for a reliable and certified EICR electrical contractor, you have come to the right place.
Conclusion
EICRs are one of the most important documents you can own for your home or business, as they indicate whether the premises is safe. Electrical safety is a major concern and EICRs ensure that you are protected at all times.
Due to how important these documents are, you must choose a certified and reliable EICR electrical contractor to perform them. SCV Electrical are a leading NICEIC-approved company operating across London that specialises in EICRs.
Contact Us Today
To book your next EICR or to learn more about our work, please contact the team today.
