Buy a commercial EICR on comparable terms
Give each inspector the same board, circuit and site schedule, then compare isolation plans, inspection extent, report content and exclusions.
A comparable quote must answer five things
- Who is the named inspector and what comparable installation experience can they evidence?
- Which boards, circuits, premises and inaccessible areas are included?
- How will safe isolation, sampling and operational shutdowns be agreed?
- Will the fee include test schedules, coded observations and the signed EICR?
- What travel, parking, VAT, remedials, return testing and out-of-hours work are excluded?
Information to assemble before requesting quotes
Mark unknown items explicitly. Discovery can be priced; hidden assumptions cannot be compared.
- Dutyholder and lease or ownership boundary
- Site addresses and access contacts
- Distribution board and main-switch counts by site
- Approximate circuit count and known three-phase or specialist systems
- Previous EICR, circuit schedules, installation certificates and open defects
- Faults, damage, modifications and harsh-environment areas
- Permitted isolation windows, critical loads and escorts
- Required report and action dates
Project brief
Business and site: ______________________________________________
Reason for commissioning: first / periodic / new installation / change or event
Equipment and identifiers: ______________________________________
Use, process or operating conditions: ______________________________
Documents available: ___________________________________________
Sites and areas in scope: ________________________________________
Access and shutdown constraints: _________________________________
Target visit and report date: _____________________________________
Required quotation format
- Who is the named inspector and what comparable installation experience can they evidence?
- Which boards, circuits, premises and inaccessible areas are included?
- How will safe isolation, sampling and operational shutdowns be agreed?
- Will the fee include test schedules, coded observations and the signed EICR?
- What travel, parking, VAT, remedials, return testing and out-of-hours work are excluded?
Competence and evidence questions
Competence is specific to the equipment, system and judgement being bought. Ask about the proposed person, not only the company.
- Who will inspect and sign the report?
- What electrical inspection and testing competence covers this installation type?
- How will safe isolation and any live-testing exception be controlled?
- Which instruments and calibration records apply?
- Who reviews coding, limitations and test schedules?
- Can they show a redacted comparable EICR?
- What current insurance covers this work?
Comparable quote scorecard
| Comparison point | Provider A | Provider B | Provider C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named inspector and competence | |||
| Premises and board schedule | |||
| Circuit count and additional-circuit rate | |||
| Isolation and shutdown plan | |||
| Inspection and test extent | |||
| Sampling and limitations | |||
| Circuit test schedule | |||
| Coded defects and overall outcome | |||
| Dangerous finding response | |||
| Report delivery date | |||
| VAT, travel, repairs and return visit | |||
| Total comparable fee |
Do not add the scores blindly. Missing competence, equipment scope or statutory reporting can be a stop condition rather than a small disadvantage.
Report acceptance check
- The installation boundary and responsibility are stated
- Included boards and circuits can be identified
- Test results and limitations are traceable
- Coded observations explain the finding
- Immediate danger was escalated and made safe as agreed
- Overall condition and recommended next inspection are recorded
- Remedial work is quoted separately
- The report does not claim a universal statutory five-year interval
Primary basis: HSE electrical safety guidance .