A commercial EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is a formal inspection and test of the fixed wiring in a business premises, from the main intake and distribution boards through to sockets, lighting and fixed equipment. IET guidance recommends that offices, shops and most other commercial premises are inspected at least every 5 years, and many insurers, landlords and facilities managers expect to see a current report. Polarity Electrics carries out commercial EICRs across London, with testing scheduled out of hours where needed so your staff and customers are not disrupted.
Why businesses need a commercial electrical inspection
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 place a duty on employers and those in control of premises to ensure electrical systems are maintained, so far as is reasonably practicable, to prevent danger. The regulations do not name a specific document, but a periodic EICR carried out by a competent person is the recognised way to show that the fixed installation has been checked and that defects have been found and dealt with.
There are practical reasons too:
- Insurers frequently ask for a satisfactory EICR as a condition of cover, at renewal, or after a claim. An out-of-date report can cause problems at exactly the wrong moment.
- Commercial leases often make the tenant responsible for keeping the electrical installation safe and require evidence of periodic testing.
- Fire risk assessments commonly reference the condition of the electrical installation, and assessors will ask when it was last tested.
- Change of use or occupier is a sensible point to inspect, so you know what you are taking on before fitting out.
Some premises need more frequent testing. IET guidance suggests annual inspections for petrol stations and swimming pools, and 1 to 3 years for cinemas and theatres. Hospitals and schools sit at 5 years. Your report will state the recommended date for the next inspection based on the condition and use of the installation.
What's included in our commercial EICR
Every inspection is carried out by an NICEIC-certified engineer and follows the requirements of BS 7671, the IET Wiring Regulations. From 15 October 2026, installations are assessed against BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 (Amendment 4), which replaces the previous edition.
- Visual inspection of distribution boards, switchgear, wiring systems, accessories and fixed equipment
- Dead and live testing of a representative sample of circuits, agreed with you in advance (the extent and any limitations are recorded on the report)
- Earthing and bonding checks, including main protective bonding to incoming services
- RCD and protective device testing, and checks that protection suits the circuits it serves
- Identification of circuits and updated schedules where boards are poorly labelled
- Photos and clear written observations coded C1, C2, C3 or FI
- A digital report emailed the same day the inspection is completed
If any observation is coded C1 (danger present), C2 (potentially dangerous) or FI (further investigation required), the report is unsatisfactory. We give you a written breakdown of the remedial work and its cost so you can make decisions quickly. Our guide to EICR codes explains what each one means.
Premises we inspect
- Offices – single floors, whole buildings and serviced or co-working spaces
- Shops and retail units – including lighting, signage and display circuits
- Restaurants, cafés and bars – commercial kitchens, extraction and refrigeration circuits
- Warehouses and light industrial units – three-phase supplies, high-bay lighting and machinery
- Mixed-use buildings – commercial ground floors with flats above, and landlord common areas
Testing out of hours to avoid downtime
Parts of an EICR require circuits to be switched off. In a busy restaurant or office that cannot simply happen at 11am on a Tuesday. We plan the inspection with you so that:
- Testing takes place early mornings, evenings, overnight or at weekends where needed
- Larger sites are split into phases, one board or floor at a time
- Critical circuits such as servers, tills, fridges and freezers are identified before anything is isolated
- Your IT, security and alarm contacts are told in advance when supplies will be interrupted
Commercial EICR pricing
Commercial inspections are priced by quote. The cost depends mainly on the number of distribution boards and circuits, whether the supply is single or three-phase, access, and whether out-of-hours working is required. We give you a fixed written quote before any work is booked, so there are no surprises on the day. For residential comparisons, our domestic EICR prices start from £79 for a studio flat up to £149 for a 4-bed house; see EICR London for details.
To quote accurately it helps to know the type of premises, approximate floor area, number of distribution boards (if known) and a copy of the last report if you have one.
How the process works
- Enquiry – call, WhatsApp or email us with the address and premises details.
- Fixed written quote – we confirm the scope, sampling, timing and price.
- Scheduling – we agree a date and time that suits your trading hours.
- Inspection and testing – carried out by NICEIC-certified engineers, with minimal disruption.
- Report – your digital EICR, photos and observations are emailed the same day.
- Remedials – if needed, we provide a costed breakdown and can carry out the work, then issue the relevant certificates.
Why choose Polarity Electrics
Polarity Electrics London Ltd is an NICEIC Approved Contractor (Enrolment No. 602034000) and Part P registered, with 8+ NICEIC-certified engineers and more than 5,000 jobs completed. For commercial clients that means:
- One point of contact from quote to completed report
- Reports written in plain English as well as the required technical detail
- No call-out charge and a 12-month workmanship guarantee on remedial work
- £10M public liability insurance
- Renewal reminders so the next inspection does not slip
- Bulk booking for managing agents and businesses with several sites
- 24/7 emergency cover if a fault occurs between inspections
Areas covered
We carry out commercial EICRs across all of London and the surrounding counties, including Hertfordshire, Essex, Surrey, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire. Popular commercial areas include Central London, Westminster, Camden, Islington, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Croydon. See all areas we cover.
Related services
- PAT testing for portable appliances in offices, shops and kitchens
- Fire alarm and emergency lighting installation
- 24/7 emergency electrician for faults and power loss
- Distribution board and consumer unit replacement
Need a commercial electrical inspection? Call 0203 908 4790, email info@polarityelectrics.com or book online and we will come back to you with a fixed written quote.
Frequently asked questions
How often does a commercial property need an EICR?
IET guidance recommends every 5 years for offices, shops and most commercial premises. Some uses need more frequent testing, such as annually for swimming pools and petrol stations, and your report will state the recommended next inspection date.
Is a commercial EICR a legal requirement?
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require electrical systems to be maintained to prevent danger, so far as is reasonably practicable. A periodic EICR by a competent person is the recognised way to demonstrate this, and insurers and landlords often require one.
Can you test outside business hours?
Yes. We regularly test early mornings, evenings, overnight and at weekends, and can phase larger sites board by board so that critical equipment stays powered.
How much does a commercial EICR cost in London?
Commercial EICRs are priced by quote because cost depends on the number of boards and circuits, the supply type and access. We give a fixed written quote before booking.
What happens if the report is unsatisfactory?
If there are C1, C2 or FI observations we give you a written breakdown of the remedial work and cost. We can carry out the repairs and issue the relevant certification once complete.
How long does a commercial inspection take?
A small shop or office can often be completed in a few hours, while larger buildings may take one or more days. We confirm the expected duration in your quote.