What happens if an EICR fails?
Unsatisfactory means at least one C1, C2 or FI was recorded. It does not mean the house has to be rewired, and in most cases the work needed is a good deal smaller than people fear when they read the word fail.
Why a report comes back unsatisfactory
Only three findings force an unsatisfactory outcome: a C1, where danger is present, a C2, where danger is potential, and an FI, where something could not be assessed and needs further investigation. C3 observations are recommendations and do not cause a fail on their own.
In practice the same handful of items account for most unsatisfactory reports we issue across South Wales, and none of them are exotic.
- Missing or undersized main protective bonding to gas and water
- No RCD protection on socket circuits or on cables buried in walls
- Damaged accessories, exposed conductors or signs of overheating
- Borrowed neutrals between lighting circuits
- Circuits that could not be tested or traced, recorded as FI
What remedial work usually involves
A C1 is made safe on the day, because leaving live danger in place is not an option. That might be as simple as disconnecting a damaged accessory and recording it on the report. Everything else is priced in writing before anything is booked.
Bonding upgrades and individual accessory replacements are typically a short return visit. A consumer unit change to bring RCD protection in is a day. A full rewire is only recommended where the condition of the cabling genuinely warrants it, and we will say plainly when it does not.
If you are a landlord
Where a report is unsatisfactory, the expectation is that the remedial work is completed within a short defined period and that written confirmation of completion is given to the tenant and, where requested, the local authority. Check the current official guidance for the exact timescale that applies to your circumstances.
The confirmation matters as much as the work. We issue written confirmation of the remedial work carried out, so you have a document to hand over rather than an invoice and a verbal assurance.
You do not have to use us for the remedials
This is worth stating plainly, because it is a fair question and the trade has a poor reputation on it. The report is the report. If you want to take the itemised quote elsewhere and have another firm do the work, that is entirely reasonable and we will still be happy to re-verify the affected circuits afterwards.
Official guidance
This guide is general information. For the final word on your own situation, use the official sources below.
Common questions
Does a fail mean the house needs rewiring?
Rarely. Most unsatisfactory reports are resolved with bonding work, an accessory replacement or a consumer unit upgrade. A rewire is a last resort where the cabling itself has failed.
How much does remedial work usually cost?
It depends entirely on what was found, which is why we give an itemised written price per observation rather than a single lump figure. Bonding work is at the small end, a consumer unit upgrade at the larger end.
Can you correct anything on the day?
Small items that can be corrected safely and recorded, yes. Anything larger is quoted first so you can decide, and there is no pressure to book it there and then.
What does further investigation, FI, mean for the outcome?
It means something could not be assessed with the access available, and it makes the report unsatisfactory until it is resolved. It usually needs a return visit with the relevant area opened up.
My tenant is asking for a copy. What do I give them?
The full report, including the schedule of test results, plus written confirmation of any remedial work once it is complete.