How to Prepare Your Property for an EICR Inspection

An EICR inspection is one of the most important checks you can have on your property, but a little preparation goes a long way towards making the process faster, smoother and more cost-effective. Whether you are a homeowner preparing for a 10-year inspection, a landlord renewing a 5-year certificate, or a seller obtaining a pre-purchase report, these practical tips will help you get the best result.

1. Ensure Clear Access to All Areas

The electrician needs to inspect and test every circuit in the property. This means they must have unobstructed access to:

• The consumer unit or fuse board — move any storage items, furniture or boxes that block it
• All sockets and switches — ensure nothing is piled in front of them
• All light fittings — the electrician may need to remove covers to inspect connections
• Loft spaces where wiring runs — make sure the hatch is accessible and safe to enter
• Under-floor voids or cellars if wiring runs through them
• Meter cupboards and external electrical enclosures

If the electrician cannot access parts of the installation, they may need to return for a second visit, which adds time and cost to the process.

2. Provide Access to All Rooms

For rental properties, make arrangements with tenants well in advance so that every room is accessible during the inspection. The electrician cannot test circuits in locked rooms or areas they cannot enter. We recommend giving tenants at least 48 hours notice and explaining that the power will be off for short periods during testing.

3. Know Where Your Consumer Unit Is

It sounds obvious, but many property owners — especially those who have recently purchased — do not know exactly where the consumer unit is located. It might be in a cupboard under the stairs, in a utility room, in a garage, or in an external meter box. Take a moment to locate it before the electrician arrives and ensure the path to it is completely clear.

4. Test Your RCDs Beforehand

Most modern consumer units have RCD protection — these are the devices that protect against electric shock. There is usually a small test button on each RCD. Pressing this monthly is actually recommended by manufacturers to ensure they are working. If an RCD does not trip when you press the test button, it may need replacing before the EICR, which will save time during the inspection.

5. Make a List of Known Issues

If you are aware of any electrical problems — flickering lights, sockets that do not work, circuits that trip frequently, or any DIY electrical work done by a previous owner — make a note of these and share them with the electrician at the start of the inspection. This can help them focus their testing and may speed up the process.

6. Clear the Area Around the Meter

The electrician may need to inspect the supply tails (the cables between the meter and the consumer unit) and the main earth connection. Make sure the area around your electricity meter is accessible and well-lit. If your meter is in an external cupboard, ensure it is unlocked.

7. Plan for Power Interruptions

During an EICR, the power will need to be turned off for periods while the electrician carries out dead testing. This typically lasts 1-2 hours in total during a domestic inspection. Plan accordingly:

• Charge laptops, phones and other devices beforehand
• If you work from home, plan to be offline during the inspection
• Let neighbours know if you have a shared supply or if work may affect their power
• Turn off sensitive electronics like computers and TVs at the socket to protect them from power cycling

8. Have Previous Paperwork Ready

If you have any previous electrical certificates, EICRs, or building regulation compliance documents, have them available for the electrician. These can provide useful context about when work was last done and what standards were applied at the time. This is particularly helpful for older properties that may have been rewired decades ago.

9. For Landlords: Brief Your Tenants

If you are arranging an EICR in a tenant-occupied property, brief your tenants on what to expect. Let them know:

• The date and approximate time of the inspection
• That the power will be off for short periods
• That the electrician needs access to every room, including lofts and cellars
• That the inspection is a legal requirement and for their safety

A well-briefed tenant is more likely to be cooperative and prepared, which makes the inspection faster and more thorough.

10. Be Present or Available

While you do not need to shadow the electrician throughout the inspection, it helps if someone is on hand to answer questions, grant access to locked areas, and discuss any findings at the end. The electrician may want to show you specific issues or explain recommendations in person, which is far more useful than reading about them in a report later.

Book Your EICR with Invisiwire

At Invisiwire, we make EICR inspections as straightforward as possible. Our NAPIT approved electricians work cleanly, communicate clearly, and deliver professional reports within 48 hours. We cover all of Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset, including Devizes, Calne, Melksham, Salisbury, Swindon and beyond.

Whether you need a one-off EICR or regular landlord certification, we offer competitive fixed pricing, tenant-friendly scheduling, and fast remedial work if required. Contact us today on 07936 896965 for your free, no-obligation quotation.