Unsatisfactory EICR? The clock is running

Failed EICR? Let's clear C1C2FI the codes.

An unsatisfactory report means remedial work. We turn the observations into an itemised work order, fix only what needs fixing, and give you the certificates that show the installation is now safe. For landlords, that means within the 28-day deadline.

28 days

Landlord deadline for C2 & FI

Itemised

Priced per observation

Certified

MEIWC or EIC on completion

Exposed live parts at damaged socket

LOC

Kitchen

FIX

Made safe

No RCD protection for socket circuits

LOC

Fuse board

FIX

RCBO upgrade

Low insulation reading, circuit 4

LOC

Ring main

FIX

Fault-find

days to fix
& confirm in writing

Report triage

Tick what's on your report. Get a work order.

Choose the observations listed on your EICR. We’ll build an indicative work order with typical fixes, cost ranges, the paperwork you’ll need, and your deadline. Send it to us for a firm, fixed quote.

Common EICR observations

Report dateI am a

Exposed live parts

Damaged accessory, missing cover or broken enclosure

Incorrect polarity at accessory

Line and neutral reversed

No RCD protection for socket outlets

Additional protection missing on final circuits

Consumer unit unsuitable or damaged

Board defective, or combustible board in an escape route

Main protective bonding missing

Gas / water services not bonded

No circuit protective conductor on lighting

Class I fittings without earth

Damaged or overheating sockets / switches

Scorching, cracks, loose fixings

Unsuitable fitting in bathroom zone

Fitting not rated for its location

Outdoor socket without RCD or IP rating

External circuit not protected

Cables not supported against collapse

Plastic clips in escape route / ceiling void

Low insulation resistance

Possible damaged cable or moisture

Circuit could not be traced

Origin or extent of circuit unknown

Suspected borrowed neutral

Neutral shared between circuits

Plastic consumer unit (not unsafe)

Pre-2016 board in suitable location

No surge protection device

SPD recommended

The code board

Which codes make you fail, and what to do next.

Any C1, C2 or FI makes the report unsatisfactory. C3 is a recommendation only: it doesn’t fail the report, and nobody should pressure you into fixing it under the 28-day rule.

Danger present

Risk of injury now. Should be made safe before the electrician leaves.

Exposed live conductors

Broken accessory · missing cover

Live parts accessible to touch

Open-backed board · damaged enclosure

→ Isolate & repair immediately

Potentially dangerous

Could become dangerous under fault conditions. Urgent remedial work required.

No RCD protection for sockets

Additional protection missing

Main bonding absent

Gas / water not bonded

No earth to lighting

Class I fittings unearthed

→ Fix within 28 days (landlords)

Investigate

A possible defect the inspector couldn’t confirm during the visit.

Low insulation resistance

Possible damaged cable

Circuit couldn't be traced

Unknown origin or destination

→ Investigate without delay

Improvement

Doesn’t meet current standards but isn’t unsafe. Optional.

Plastic consumer unit

Older but not unsafe in that location

No surge protection

Recommendation only

→ Plan in if you want to

Path to a pass

From "unsatisfactory" to paperwork in hand.

Repairs alone aren’t enough. You need a record proving the work was done properly. Here’s the route, and the documents you end up with.

Send us the report

A photo or PDF of the observations page is enough to scope the work.

Day 0

Itemised fixed quote

One line per observation, so you can see exactly what you’re paying for. No full-rewire upsell.

Within 1 working day

Remedial works

Usually done in one visit. Tenants get notice and the power is off only where needed.

Typically days 3–14

Tested & certified

Each repair is tested and certified. A Minor Works Certificate, or an EIC for new circuits or a consumer unit.

Same day

✓

Written confirmation

Landlords: send it with the original EICR to your tenant and the local council within 28 days of completion.

Done ✓

Original report

EICR: Unsatisfactory

BS 7671

Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate

TESTED
✓

New circuits / CU

Electrical Installation Certificate

EIC
✓

Landlord

Written confirmation of completed remedial works

Common fixes

Typical remedial costs, item by item.

There’s no honest single price for “fixing a C2”. It depends on what the observation actually is. These guide ranges are for typical homes. Your quote is fixed after we’ve seen the report.

Make safe & replace accessory

Exposed live parts · C1

£60–£140

Correct connections & retest

Incorrect polarity at accessory · C1

£60–£150

Fit RCBOs or RCD protection

No RCD protection for socket outlets · C2

£150–£450

Replace consumer unit

Consumer unit unsuitable or damaged · C2

£450–£950

Install main bonding conductors

Main protective bonding missing · C2

£120–£280

Replace with Class II or install CPC

No circuit protective conductor on lighting · C2

£150–£450

Replace accessories

Damaged or overheating sockets / switches · C2

£60–£140

Replace with suitably rated fitting

Unsuitable fitting in bathroom zone · C2

£80–£220

Replace & add RCD protection

Outdoor socket without RCD or IP rating · C2

£120–£280

Fit fire-resistant supports

Cables not supported against collapse · C2

£100–£320

Fault-find & repair

Low insulation resistance · FI

£100–£320

Trace, label & verify

Circuit could not be traced · FI

£80–£220

Trace & correct wiring

Suspected borrowed neutral · FI

£120–£350

Optional CU upgrade

Plastic consumer unit (not unsafe) · C3

£450–£900

Fit SPD (optional)

No surge protection device · C3

£90–£180

Indicative ranges including labour and standard materials. Central London, out-of-hours and commercial premises may differ. Notifiable work, such as a consumer unit replacement, includes Building Regulations notification.

Straight talk

Before you approve any remedial quote.

Remedial work is where unsatisfactory reports can turn expensive. Here’s what a fair quote looks like, and the warning signs to watch for.

✓

A fair quote has

One line per observation

Matched to the item numbers on your EICR

C1, C2 and FI separated from C3

So you can see what's required and what's optional

The certificate each fix produces

MEIWC, EIC, and Building Regs notification if needed

A clear price for FI investigation

With an agreed cap, or a separate price for whatever's found

Red flags

"You need a full rewire" for a few C2s

Most C2s are put right with targeted repairs

C3s presented as compulsory

They don't fail the report or start a 28-day deadline

Repairs started without written agreement

You're entitled to a quote first, and to choose your contractor

No certificate after the work

Without one, you can't prove compliance

Who it's for

Same codes, different pressures.

Whoever you are, the electrical work is the same. What changes is the deadline, the paperwork and who needs to see it.

Landlords & agents

A legal deadline

Under the 2020 regulations, remedial work must be done within 28 days or less if the report says so.

Homeowners & buyers

Safety & sale

No legal deadline, but C1 and C2 items are real hazards, and buyers’ solicitors will ask about them.

Businesses

Duty & insurance

Under the Electricity at Work Regulations, known dangers have to be dealt with, and insurers expect them closed out.

Questions

After an unsatisfactory EICR.

Do I have to use the electrician who did the EICR for the repairs?

No. You can use any qualified, competent electrician. The important thing is that each repair is tested and certified, and, for landlords, that you get written confirmation the installation now meets the required standard.

How long do landlords have to complete remedial work?

28 days from the inspection, or a shorter period if the report specifies one. You then have 28 days from completion to send written confirmation, with the original report, to the tenant and the local council.

Do I need a whole new EICR after the repairs?

Not usually. The repairs are certified individually with a Minor Works or Electrical Installation Certificate, which, together with the original report and written confirmation, shows the installation is now satisfactory. The original EICR’s next-inspection date still applies.

Are C3 recommendations compulsory?

No. C3 means “improvement recommended”. On its own it doesn’t make the report unsatisfactory or trigger the 28-day landlord deadline. It can still be worth doing when it’s cheap to combine with other work.

What does an FI cost to resolve?

An FI needs investigation first, so the cost has two parts: the fault-finding time (often £100–£300 for a typical home) and any repair it uncovers. We quote the investigation up front and price any repair before going ahead.

Does a C2 always mean a new consumer unit?

No. Missing RCD protection, for example, can often be solved by fitting RCBOs in a suitable existing board. A replacement is only needed when the board itself is defective or unsuitable. We’ll explain the options and costs for each.

Is consumer unit replacement notifiable?

Yes. In England, replacing a consumer unit is notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations. A registered competent-person electrician notifies it for you and you receive a Building Regulations compliance certificate.

My tenant won't give access for the repairs. What now?

Keep a dated record of every reasonable attempt to arrange access. The regulations recognise that a landlord isn’t in breach where they can show they took all reasonable steps. We can help with notice wording and flexible appointments.

Get it fixed

Send the report. Get a fixed price.

Attach your EICR or tell us the codes. We’ll send an itemised, fixed quote within one working day, and book the work around your deadline.

020 3386 1854

Reply within one working day