What to Expect From an Electrical Safety Inspection

An electrical safety inspection — formally known as an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) — is one of the most important checks you can have done on a residential or commercial property. Yet for most people, the process feels like a mystery. What does the inspector actually look at? How long does it take? What happens if something fails?

This guide walks you through the entire process so you know exactly what to expect, how to prepare, and how to interpret the results.

Who needs an electrical inspection — and when?

There are several situations where an electrical inspection is either legally required or strongly advisable:

• Before buying a property — an inspection gives you an accurate picture of the electrical condition before you commit.
• Rental properties — landlords are legally required to have inspections carried out at regular intervals in most jurisdictions.
• After significant renovation work — especially if walls have been opened up or new circuits have been added.
• Older properties — any building more than 25 years old without a recent inspection record.
• After purchasing a commercial space — to establish a baseline before you move in.
• If you've experienced electrical problems — repeated trips, flickering lights, burning smells, or visible damage.

As a general rule of thumb, residential properties should be inspected every 10 years, and rental properties every 5 years — or whenever there is a change of tenancy.

Step 1: Before the inspector arrives

There's very little you need to do to prepare, but a few things will help the process go smoothly.

Make sure the inspector can access all areas of the property — including lofts, basements, utility cupboards, and any outbuildings with electrical connections. Clear away any storage blocking the consumer unit (fuse box or breaker panel), and if you have any existing documentation about your electrical system — previous inspection reports, installation certificates — have these ready.

Plan for some power disruption. The inspector will need to switch off circuits to test them, so it's best not to schedule the inspection on a day when you're relying on computers, medical equipment, or other sensitive systems.

Step 2: The visual inspection

The inspection begins with a thorough visual survey of every accessible part of the electrical installation. The inspector is looking for anything that is obviously damaged, incorrectly installed, or not compliant with current regulations.

This includes checking:

• The condition of the consumer unit — looking for signs of overheating, corrosion, or improper modifications
• Visible wiring — checking insulation condition, cable routing, and whether cables are correctly supported and protected
• Sockets, switches, and light fittings — checking for damage, signs of arcing, or incorrect installation
• Earthing and bonding connections — ensuring metal pipes and structural elements are correctly connected to the earth system

"A good inspector approaches the visual stage methodically — room by room, circuit by circuit. Don't be put off by how long it takes. Thoroughness is exactly what you're paying for."

Step 3: Testing the circuits

After the visual inspection, the electrician will carry out a series of electrical tests on each circuit. This requires isolating the circuits one at a time, which means the power to parts of the property will need to go off temporarily.

The tests typically include:

Continuity testing — verifying that the earth and protective conductors are properly connected throughout the circuit, with no breaks that could leave metalwork unearthed.

Insulation resistance testing — checking that the insulation around cables has not degraded to the point where it could allow current to leak. This is particularly important in older properties where rubber or cloth-insulated wiring may still be in place.

Polarity testing — confirming that live, neutral, and earth connections have been made to the correct terminals at every socket and fitting. Reversed polarity is a surprisingly common fault in older installations.

RCD (residual current device) testing — verifying that the safety devices protecting circuits in wet areas and outdoors operate correctly and within the required trip time.

Loop impedance testing — measuring the resistance of the fault path to ensure that in the event of a short circuit, the protective device will operate fast enough to be safe.

Step 4: The report and its findings

Once testing is complete, the inspector will produce a formal report — the EICR — that records every observation and test result. Findings are categorised as follows:

• C1 — Danger present: A risk of injury is present. Immediate action is required. In serious cases, the inspector may recommend the supply is disconnected until the fault is remedied.
• C2 — Potentially dangerous: Not immediately dangerous but could become so. Urgent remedial work is required, typically within 28 days.
• C3 — Improvement recommended: Not dangerous but not fully compliant with current regulations. Improvement is advisable but not immediately required.
• FI — Further investigation: The inspector cannot fully assess this item without additional investigation.

An installation with no C1 or C2 observations receives a Satisfactory result. Any C1 or C2 finding means the overall result is Unsatisfactory, and remedial work will be required before a satisfactory certificate can be issued.

What happens if the result is unsatisfactory?

An unsatisfactory result is more common than people expect — especially in older properties — and it doesn't mean your property is unusable. It means there are specific faults that need to be addressed.

The report will tell you exactly what needs attention, and a qualified electrician can then carry out the remedial work. Once the work is done, a completion certificate is issued and the installation is reinspected if necessary.

The important thing is not to ignore an unsatisfactory result. C1 and C2 observations represent real risks, and resolving them promptly is both a legal and a safety obligation.

How long does an inspection take?

The duration depends on the size and complexity of the installation:

• A 2-bedroom flat: 2–3 hours
• A 4-bedroom house: 4–6 hours
• A small commercial unit: 4–8 hours
• A larger commercial or industrial premises: may require multiple days

At SlowBear Industries, we carry out inspections efficiently without cutting corners. We'll give you a clear time estimate before the visit and keep you informed throughout.