Domestic Electrical Installation Certificates & Safety Certification

An EIC (Electrical Installation Certificate) is issued for new electrical work, such as a new circuit or a full rewire. An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is an inspection of existing wiring, circuits, and accessories to check for safety and compliance. Think of an EIC as a birth certificate for new work and an EICR as a health check for old work.

You need an EIC whenever a new circuit is installed or an existing one is altered significantly. This includes new circuits for electric showers, extensions, garden rooms, or EV chargers, as well as a full house rewire.

An EIC must be issued by a competent person, specifically an electrician who is a member of a government-approved scheme like NICEIC or NAPIT. These electricians are certified to self-certify their work under Part P of the Building Regulations.

Failing to obtain an EIC for notifiable work can be a breach of Building Regulations. This can cause issues with your local authority and may prevent you from selling your property in the future as a solicitor will require proof the work was completed safely and legally.

An EIC does not have an expiry date. It is a certificate for a specific installation on a specific date. However, the condition of the overall electrical system should still be periodically checked with a full EICR, typically every 10 years for a domestic property.

No, an EIC only covers the new or altered circuit(s) and the overall suitability of the existing installation to accommodate the new work. It does not certify the safety of pre-existing wiring. For a complete check of your entire home, you need a full EICR.

Notifiable work is any new installation or alteration in a domestic setting that falls under Part P of the Building Regulations. This typically includes a consumer unit change, a new circuit, or work in a special location like a bathroom. This work must be signed off with an EIC.

You should always choose an electrician who is registered with a competent person scheme like NAPIT or NICEIC. You can search for a registered professional on their respective websites to ensure they are qualified to issue an EIC.

Yes, for the safety of our electrician and your property, we will need to safely isolate your electrical circuits to perform the required 'dead testing'. We will do our best to minimise any disruption.

While there is no legal requirement to have a full EICR for homeowners (unless you are a landlord), any notifiable new electrical work you have carried out is legally required to be certified. The electrician performing the work should provide you with the EIC as standard.