Electrical Safety Check

Trade: Electrician

⭐ Introduction

An electrical safety check is a professional inspection of your home’s electrical system to ensure it’s safe, compliant, and functioning properly. It helps identify potential hazards such as faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, or outdated consumer units (fuse boxes) before they become dangerous.

You might need an electrical safety check if:

You are buying or selling a home (to provide reassurance or meet lender requirements).
You’ve recently had electrical work done and want to ensure all is safe.
Your property is over 10 years old or has older electrical installations.
You notice frequent tripping of breakers or flickering lights.
Your local authority or insurance requires proof of compliance.
Routine checks as part of upkeep (recommended every 10 years for most homes).

The check supports peace of mind and helps keep your family safe from fire, shock, and other electrical risks.

🔧 What the job involves

During an electrical safety check, a qualified UK electrician (typically registered with a competent person scheme, such as NICEIC or NAPIT) will:

Inspect the consumer unit (fuse box) and circuit breakers for wear or faults.
Test sockets, switches, light fittings, and wiring for safe operation.
Check for signs of damage, loose connections, or overheating.
Verify earth (grounding) connections and bonding are correct.
Conduct tests such as insulation resistance and polarity tests using specialised equipment.
Look for compliance with UK regulations such as Part P of the Building Regulations.
Identify any remedial work required to bring the installation up to current standards.
Provide written results and certification, like an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), summarising the safety and any recommended actions.

Essentially, the electrician ensures everything is safe for everyday use and flags any faults that could pose risks.

📝 Step-by-step from booking to completion

Initial enquiry
Contact a registered electrician to discuss your needs, confirm your property details, and book a convenient date.
Site survey and quote
The electrician visits your home to assess the state of your electrical system and provides a clear, written quote for the safety check and any remedial work.
Booking the job
Once you agree to the quote, you schedule the visit for the safety check itself.
Day of the electrical safety check
The electrician arrives with necessary tools and equipment, performs the inspection and tests, and notes down results.
Receiving the report
The electrician explains their findings, any faults or concerns, and provides an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) or similar documentation.
Follow-up repairs (if needed)
If faults were found, you may book remedial work to fix issues raised during the check.

💷 Main costs to expect

Labour: Charging for the electrician’s time; typically £60–£90 per hour depending on location.
Materials/parts: If minor repairs are needed (e.g. replacement sockets, switches).
Extras: Additional costs if re-wiring, new consumer unit, or major fault fixes are required.
Disposal fees: Safe removal and disposal of old or damaged components.
Certification: Cost of official reports like an EICR, often included in overall price.

Example:

Safety check only: £120 - £180
Safety check + small repairs (1–2 outlets replaced): £180 - £250
Safety check + consumer unit replacement: £800+

📊 What affects the price

Property size and number of circuits: More rooms and circuits take longer to inspect.
Age and condition of electrical system: Older or poorly maintained wiring increases complexity.
Ease of access to consumer unit and wiring: Difficult locations require more time.
Extent of remedial works needed: More faults cost more to fix.
Certification requirements: Some reports or certificates cost extra.
Local labour rates: Prices tend to be higher in London and the South East.
Urgency or short notice appointments: Can result in higher fees.

⏱ How long does it take?

Standard property (3-bedroom house): Typically 2–3 hours for a full safety check.
Larger homes or more circuits: 3–5 hours or more.
Simple jobs (single circuit or partial check): 1 hour.
Additional time for remedial work: Varies widely depending on faults found; from 1 hour for small fixes to multiple days for rewiring or consumer unit replacement.

🏠 Can you DIY it?

Electrical safety checks should not be undertaken by homeowners. UK regulations require a qualified person, often registered with a competent person scheme, to carry out inspections and testing. This ensures work complies with Part P of the Building Regulations and safety standards.

Testing equipment and interpretation require experience, and working with live electrical parts is dangerous. If you are unsure about any electrical issues, always hire a professional electrician.

💰 Typical UK price range

In the UK, a full electrical safety check for a residential property typically costs between:

£120 and £250 (ex. VAT) for a basic 3-bedroom home inspection, certification included.

For properties that require repairs or consumer unit upgrades, the price can rise significantly, often into hundreds or thousands of pounds depending on the scope.

(Note that VAT at 20% may apply depending on the supplier’s status.)

✅ Handy tips before you start

Prepare access to your consumer unit, fuse box, and electrical outlets; clear any clutter.
List any recent electrical issues or concerns to mention to the electrician.
Keep pets safely away during the inspection.
Have paperwork ready for previous electrical work or certificates to assist the electrician.
Ask about warranties and guarantees for any repairs or replacement parts.
Retain the EICR and any certificates safely; they may be required for insurance or future sales.
Schedule checks every 10 years or sooner if you notice problems.
Don’t ignore warning signs like flickering lights, burning smells, or frequent breaker trips.

Following these steps helps ensure the process runs smoothly and your home remains safe and compliant.