The Complete 2026 Guide to Commercial EICR

A Commercial EICR is a formal inspection of the electrical systems in a business property. A qualified electrician checks your wiring, fuse boards, sockets, and safety devices. They test for faults, wear, and damage that could cause fires or electric shocks.

The report gives your property a pass or fail rating. It also lists any repairs you need to make. This is different from a Domestic EICR, which covers homes and rental properties instead of business premises.

Commercial EICRs apply to a wide range of properties. This includes offices, shops, warehouses, restaurants, schools, and industrial units.

Faulty electrics cause a large share of workplace fires in the UK every year. A Commercial EICR finds these risks before they cause harm. It protects your staff, your customers, and your building.

It also protects your business in other ways:

• It supports your legal duty of care under health and safety law
• It can lower the risk of your insurance claim being rejected
• It gives you a paper trail if an incident ever happens
• It reassures landlords, lenders, and business partners that your property is safe

Skipping this check puts people and property at risk. It also puts your business at risk of fines and legal action.

Yes. Under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, employers must keep electrical systems safe. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 adds further duty. You must assess and reduce fire risks in your building, including electrical risks.

An EICR is the standard way to prove you have met these duties. Health and safety inspectors, insurers, and fire authorities all recognise it as evidence of compliance.

If your business rents its premises, your lease may also require a valid EICR. Many landlords ask for a copy before renewing a commercial tenancy.

You can read more about your legal duties as a property owner on the UK Government's guidance on renting out a property.

The cost of a Commercial EICR depends on several factors:

• The size of your property
• The number of circuits in your fuse board
• The type of business and equipment on site
• Ease of access to your electrical installation
• Your location in the UK

Small offices and shops with a low number of circuits cost less to inspect. Larger sites, such as warehouses or multi-floor buildings, cost more because they take longer to test.

You can get a tailored price by using our instant online quote tool. It takes 30 seconds and gives you a clear, upfront price with no hidden fees.

A qualified electrician will visit your property and carry out a full visual and physical inspection. The process usually covers:

• Consumer unit and fuse board check: Testing that your fuse board is safe and correctly rated for your building
• Circuit testing: Checking wiring for damage, overheating, and incorrect connections
• Earthing and bonding: Confirming your property has the correct protection against electric shock
• RCD and circuit breaker testing: Making sure your safety devices trip correctly during a fault
• Socket and switch inspection: Looking for damage, wear, or non-compliant fittings
• Load assessment: Checking your electrical system can safely handle your business equipment

You can read more detail on what our engineers check during an inspection on our EICR service page.

After the inspection, you will get one of two outcomes.

Satisfactory: Your electrical installation meets current safety standards. No urgent work is needed.

Unsatisfactory: One or more issues were found. These are marked with a code based on how serious they are.

• C1 – Danger present: Immediate risk of injury. This needs urgent repair.
• C2 – Potentially dangerous: A risk that needs fixing as a priority.
• C3 – Improvement recommended: Not dangerous now, but worth upgrading.
• FI – Further investigation: A concern that needs more testing to confirm.

To pass your EICR, you must fix any C1, C2, or FI issues. C3 items are optional but recommended for good practice.

If your report comes back unsatisfactory, we can carry out the remedial electrical work needed to bring your property up to standard.

What Happens If You Fail a Commercial EICR?

A failed EICR does not mean your business has to close. It means you have identified issues that need fixing to keep your property safe and compliant.

Here is what to do next:

1. Review the report and understand which codes were flagged
2. Get a quote for the required repair work
3. Book the repairs with a qualified electrician
4. Get a follow-up inspection to confirm the work meets standard
5. Receive your updated Satisfactory EICR certificate

Ignoring a failed EICR can lead to insurance problems, legal exposure, and continued safety risk to your staff and visitors.

Many business owners confuse commercial and domestic EICRs. Here are the key differences:

• Scope: Commercial EICRs often cover larger, more complex electrical systems with three-phase power and heavier equipment loads
• Frequency: Commercial inspections are often needed more often, depending on the property type
• Regulations: Commercial properties fall under workplace and fire safety law, not just landlord and tenant law
• Inspection time: Larger commercial sites take longer to test due to the number of circuits and equipment

If you manage a mixed-use building with residential and commercial space, you may need both a domestic EICR and a commercial one, depending on how the property is divided.