Typical EICR times by property
A 1–2 bedroom flat usually takes 2–3 hours and a 3–4 bedroom house around 3–4 hours. HMOs and commercial buildings take longer because they have more circuits and boards.
| Property | Typical time on site |
|---|---|
| Studio or 1-bed flat, one consumer unit | 1.5–2.5 hours |
| 2–3 bedroom flat or house | 2–3.5 hours |
| 4–5 bedroom house | 3.5–5 hours |
| HMO (5–8 rooms) | Half to full day |
| Shop, office or restaurant | Half day per board, approx. |
| Larger commercial or industrial site | Phased over several days |
What happens on the day
- Walk-round and visual inspection of the consumer unit, accessories, visible wiring and bonding.
- Dead testing with the power off: continuity of protective conductors, insulation resistance and polarity. Expect the power to be off for part of the visit.
- Live testing: earth fault loop impedance, prospective fault current and RCD operation.
- Observations recorded against each circuit, with C1 items made safe before the inspector leaves.
On commercial sites, testing is planned board by board so critical circuits — servers, refrigeration, tills — stay on. Out-of-hours and weekend testing is available; see commercial electrical testing.
What makes an EICR take longer
- More circuits or more than one consumer unit or distribution board
- Furniture, stored goods or locked rooms blocking sockets and the board
- No circuit chart or previous report, so circuits must be traced
- Older wiring or undocumented DIY alterations
- Occupied premises where power can only be off for short periods
How to prepare for an EICR
- Clear access to the consumer unit, loft and under-stair cupboards
- Tell tenants the power will be off for part of the visit and to save their work
- Have the previous EICR or any electrical certificates ready
- Give access to every room, outbuilding and garden supply
- Turn off sensitive equipment, or tell us what must stay on
When do you get the EICR?
Polarity issues the digital report within 24 hours of the inspection, with every observation explained and a fixed price for any remedial work. Landlords can forward it straight to tenants and agents. You can also verify a Polarity certificate online.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an EICR take for a 2-bed flat?
Usually two to three hours, depending on the number of circuits and how easy it is to reach the consumer unit and accessories.
Will the power be off during an EICR?
Yes, for part of the visit. Dead tests need the supply isolated. We keep the off periods as short as possible and plan around critical equipment.
Do I need to be at home?
Someone needs to give access at the start and end. Many landlords arrange access through a tenant or agent.
How soon do I get the certificate?
Polarity issues the digital EICR within 24 hours of the inspection.
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