Red Elec Electrical Services provides EICR certificates and electrical safety inspections for landlords, homeowners and businesses across Widnes, Runcorn, St Helens, Warrington, Liverpool and the surrounding areas.
An EICR, also known as an Electrical Installation Condition Report, checks the safety and condition of the fixed electrical installation in a property. This includes wiring, sockets, switches, lighting circuits, consumer units and protective devices.
For landlords, an up-to-date EICR is an important legal requirement. For homeowners and businesses, it is a practical way to check whether the electrical installation is safe, suitable and in good condition.
Local EICR Electricians You Can Trust
Red Elec is a family-run electrical company based in Widnes and established in 2006. We carry out electrical testing, inspection, fault finding, repairs, consumer unit upgrades and electrical safety work across the North West.
Our electricians are City & Guilds trained, NAPIT affiliated and experienced in completing electrical inspections for domestic, landlord and commercial properties.
We can help with:
- Landlord EICR certificates
- Domestic electrical safety checks
- Commercial electrical inspections
- Rental property electrical certificates
- Electrical testing and inspection
- Fault finding after failed EICRs
- Consumer unit checks
- Remedial electrical work
- Electrical Installation Certificates where required
- Advice on unsafe or outdated installations
What Is An EICR?
An EICR is a formal inspection and test of the fixed electrical installation inside a property.
It helps identify:
- Electrical damage
- Deterioration from age or wear
- Unsafe wiring
- Faulty circuits
- Overloaded circuits
- Lack of earthing or bonding
- Consumer unit issues
- Missing or inadequate RCD protection
- Potential electric shock risks
- Potential fire risks
- Work that does not meet current safety standards
NICEIC explains that an EICR identifies signs of age, wear, tear and damage to help confirm whether a home’s electrical installation is safe to use and not putting occupants at risk of fires or electric shocks.
Landlord EICR Certificates
If you rent out a property in England, you must make sure the electrical installation is inspected and tested by a properly qualified person at least every five years.
Government guidance states that landlords must obtain a report, usually an EICR, from the person carrying out the inspection and test. The report should give the results and set the date for the next inspection. Landlords must also supply a copy of the report to the existing tenant within 28 days of the inspection and test.
Red Elec can carry out EICRs for:
- Single rental properties
- HMOs
- Flats
- Houses
- Letting agents
- Property portfolios
- Landlords preparing for new tenants
- Landlords responding to tenant safety concerns
What Happens If An EICR Fails?
An EICR will usually be marked as either satisfactory or unsatisfactory.
Common EICR codes include:
| Code | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | Danger present | Immediate action required |
| C2 | Potentially dangerous | Urgent remedial action required |
| FI | Further investigation required | More investigation needed |
| C3 | Improvement recommended | Not usually a fail on its own |
The NRLA explains that C1, C2 and FI observations result in an unsatisfactory report, while C3 means improvement is recommended.
If your EICR is unsatisfactory, Red Elec can explain the findings clearly and provide a quote for any remedial work needed. This may include fault finding, replacing damaged accessories, upgrading a consumer unit, improving earthing or bonding, or repairing unsafe circuits.
EICR Certificates For Homeowners
An EICR is not only for landlords. Homeowners may also need an electrical safety check if:
- You have not had the electrics inspected for many years
- You are buying or selling a property
- You are planning a renovation
- You have an old fuse box
- Your electrics keep tripping
- You notice flickering lights or warm sockets
- You are installing an EV charger
- You are worried about old wiring
- You have recently had DIY or poor-quality electrical work carried out
A recent NICEIC-backed survey reported that many homeowners are unfamiliar with EICRs, despite them being recommended at least every 10 years for privately owned homes.
EICR Certificates For Businesses
Businesses and commercial property owners also need to keep electrical installations safe for staff, customers and visitors.
Red Elec can carry out electrical testing and inspection for:
- Offices
- Shops
- Workshops
- Small commercial units
- Landlord-owned commercial spaces
- Community buildings
- Local business premises
An EICR can help identify electrical safety risks before they become more serious faults, disruption or compliance problems.
Our EICR Process
1. Property And Installation Review
We start by reviewing the property, the type of installation and any electrical issues you already know about.
2. Visual Inspection
We inspect accessible parts of the electrical installation, including the consumer unit, sockets, switches, fittings and visible wiring.
3. Electrical Testing
We carry out electrical testing on the circuits to check safety, condition and performance.
4. EICR Report
We provide an Electrical Installation Condition Report showing whether the installation is satisfactory or unsatisfactory, along with any observations and recommended actions.
5. Remedial Work If Needed
If remedial work is required, we explain the issue clearly and provide practical advice on the safest next step.
How Often Do You Need An EICR?
The recommended or required inspection period depends on the property type.
| Property Type | Common EICR Frequency |
|---|---|
| Private rented property in England | At least every 5 years |
| Homeowner property | Often recommended at least every 10 years |
| Business or commercial property | Depends on property type, risk and previous report |
| Before a new tenancy | Check current report validity first |
| After major electrical work or faults | May be recommended sooner |
Landlord rules can change, and the required date may depend on the previous report. Always check the latest requirements or ask a qualified electrician if you are unsure.
EICR Areas We Cover
Red Elec Electrical Services provides EICR certificates and electrical safety inspections across Widnes and the wider North West.
We regularly work in:
- Widnes
- Runcorn
- St Helens
- Warrington
- Liverpool
- Frodsham
- Prescot
- Huyton
- Rainhill
- Halewood
- Surrounding areas
Why Choose Red Elec For EICR Certificates?
An EICR should be completed by someone who is competent, qualified and experienced in inspection and testing. NAPIT notes that its members are assessed onsite to assure competence and can provide the Electrical Installation Condition Report and certificates needed to demonstrate compliance.
Customers choose Red Elec because we are:
- Family-run and established since 2006
- Based locally in Widnes
- City & Guilds trained electricians
- NAPIT affiliated since September 2006
- TrustMark registered since 2008
- Experienced in electrical inspection and testing
- Able to complete remedial electrical work where needed
- Practical, clear and honest with our advice
- Trusted by homeowners, landlords and local businesses
Book An EICR Certificate In Widnes
Need an EICR certificate for a rental property, home or business?
Contact Red Elec Electrical Services today to arrange an electrical safety inspection in Widnes, Runcorn, St Helens, Warrington, Liverpool or the surrounding areas.
EICR Certificate FAQs
What does EICR stand for?
EICR stands for Electrical Installation Condition Report. It is a formal inspection and test of a property’s fixed electrical installation.
Is an EICR a legal requirement for landlords?
Yes. In England, landlords must have the electrical installation in rented properties inspected and tested by a properly qualified person at least every five years. They must also provide copies of the report to tenants within the required timescales.
How long does an EICR take?
The time depends on the size of the property, number of circuits, access and condition of the installation. A small flat may be quicker, while larger homes, HMOs or commercial properties may take longer.
What happens if my EICR is unsatisfactory?
If the report is unsatisfactory, the electrician will explain the observations and what remedial work is needed. C1, C2 and FI codes usually need action before the installation can be considered satisfactory.
Do homeowners need an EICR?
Homeowners are not usually legally required to have an EICR in the same way landlords are, but it is a useful safety check. It is commonly recommended if the property has not been inspected for many years, has old wiring, is being sold, or has signs of electrical faults.
Can Red Elec carry out remedial work after a failed EICR?
Yes. Red Elec can carry out fault finding, repairs, consumer unit upgrades and other remedial electrical work where needed after an unsatisfactory EICR.
Does an EICR include appliance testing?
No. An EICR checks the fixed electrical installation. It does not usually include portable appliance testing, commonly known as PAT testing, unless this is arranged separately.