A failed EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) means the report has come back “unsatisfactory” because the inspector recorded at least one C1 (danger present), C2 (potentially dangerous) or FI (further investigation required) observation. Putting it right means fixing those specific faults, not gutting the house: most remedial jobs cost between £100 and £700 as a guide, and once the work is done and certified, your installation counts as satisfactory again.
We carry out EICRs and remedial work across Bristol, and if you’re holding an unsatisfactory EICR wondering what next, take comfort: almost every report looks worse on paper than in real life. The observations pages tell you exactly what needs doing and how urgent each item is. Work through them, get the paperwork, and you’re done.
Got an unsatisfactory report? Get a fixed price for the remedial work or call Mark on 07973 782 821 — based in Downend, covering Bristol and surrounding areas. No call-out charge for quotes, and no obligation.
Why an EICR fails: C1, C2 and FI codes
An EICR is not a pass-or-fail exam. The inspector grades each issue with an observation code, and only three codes make the report unsatisfactory:
| Code | What it means | Fails the report? |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | Danger present, risk of injury. Needs immediate action | Yes |
| C2 | Potentially dangerous. Remedial work required | Yes |
| FI | Further investigation needed without delay | Yes |
| C3 | Improvement recommended, but not dangerous | No |
So a report with ten C3s and nothing else is still satisfactory: nobody fails simply for having an older installation. We’ve broken down what each code looks like in a real house in EICR codes explained.
With a C1 the danger exists right now, so a responsible inspector will tell you on the day and, with your permission, make it safe before leaving, even if that means isolating one circuit at the fuse board (consumer unit) until it’s repaired.
What to do after a failed EICR, step by step
An unsatisfactory report doesn’t put you on any register, and for owner-occupiers there’s no legal clock ticking.
- Read the observations pages. Each fault is listed with its code and location — that list is effectively your job sheet.
- Get a price for the remedial work. Any qualified electrician can quote from the report, not just the firm that inspected. Ask for a fixed price per item.
- Fix the faults, worst first. C1s straight away, FI investigations promptly, C2s as soon as practical. C3s are optional, though some are cheap to sort while an electrician is there.
- Get the paperwork. The electrician certifies the remedial work. More on that below.
What EICR remedial work costs
Every report is different, so treat these as a guide rather than a quote. They’re typical 2026 prices for the jobs we see most often on Bristol reports:
| Typical remedial job | Guide price (2026) |
|---|---|
| Replace a damaged socket, switch or light fitting | £80–£150 per point |
| Tighten or re-terminate loose connections | 1–2 hours at £40–£60/hr |
| Further investigation (FI) of a flagged circuit | 1–2 hours at £40–£60/hr |
| Add or upgrade main earth bonding to gas/water | Roughly half a day’s work; £150–£250 as a guide |
| Fuse board (consumer unit) replacement to add RCD protection | £450–£700 |
| Partial rewire of one or more failed circuits | £1,000–£3,000 |
In our experience, most unsatisfactory reports are put right for a few hundred pounds. The common big-ticket item is an old fuse board with no RCD protection — an RCD (residual current device) is the trip switch that cuts the power in a fault before it can hurt anyone. You can see what’s involved in our fuse board replacement cost guide. A full rewire is the exception, usually only where very old rubber- or fabric-insulated wiring is found.
For the price of the inspection itself, see our EICR cost guide for Bristol.
Landlords: you have 28 days
If the property is rented out in England, the law sets a firm timetable. Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, a landlord whose report shows remedial work or further investigation is required must have that work done within 28 days, or sooner if the report specifies.
You then need written confirmation from a qualified person that the work is done, and you must give it, with a copy of the original report, to each tenant and the local council within 28 days of finishing. Councils can impose civil penalties of up to £40,000 per breach, so this is not a deadline to sit on. The full detail is in the government’s electrical safety guidance for landlords, and our plain-English summary is in landlord EICR rules.
The good news: 28 days is plenty for most remedial lists. A typical set of C2s is a one-day visit.
Do you need a whole new EICR afterwards?
Usually not, and this catches people out. Once the remedial work is done, the electrician issues an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) or a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC), plus written confirmation that the installation now meets the standards. Government guidance accepts a satisfactory EICR, an EIC or a MEIWC as proof for landlords, so you shouldn’t need to pay for the whole inspection again.
The exception is when a buyer, lender or letting agent insists on a fresh satisfactory EICR, which means paying for a second inspection.
When we carry out remedial work, the certificate and written confirmation are part of the fixed price, not an extra.
Frequently asked questions
Is it illegal to live in a house with a failed EICR?
No. For owner-occupiers there’s no law forcing you to act on an unsatisfactory report, though C1 and C2 faults are genuine safety issues and a C1 means danger is present right now. For rented homes it’s different: the landlord must complete the remedial work within 28 days or face a fine.
Does a C3 mean my EICR failed?
No. C3 means “improvement recommended” and does not make a report unsatisfactory on its own. It flags things that were acceptable when installed but wouldn’t meet BS 7671, the current Wiring Regulations, if fitted today. Landlords in particular mix this up, so we’ve compared the two codes in C2 vs C3 for landlords.
Can I do the remedial work myself?
Almost always no. Much of the typical remedial list — a fuse board change, new circuits, work in bathrooms — is notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations and must be certified. Beyond the legal side, these faults were flagged because they’re potentially dangerous, so they need a qualified electrician who can test the repair properly.
Do I have to use the electrician who did the inspection?
No. The report belongs to you, and any qualified electrician can price and carry out the remedial work from it. Getting a second price is often worthwhile, because some firms quote remedials on the high side hoping you’ll simply accept.
How long does EICR remedial work take?
Most remedial lists are cleared in a single visit. Replacing sockets, fixing loose connections and upgrading bonding are usually done within a few hours; a fuse board replacement typically takes a day. Only a partial rewire stretches to several days, and you’d be told that up front.
Ready to get that report signed off? Send us your unsatisfactory EICR and get a fixed price for the remedial work, or call Mark on 07973 782 821. Based in Downend, covering Bristol and surrounding areas — free quotes, clear prices up front, and all work certified to BS 7671.