01
Urgency
All observations are treated as equal
C1 danger, C2 potential danger, FI investigation and C3 improvement recommendations have different meanings and priorities.
What Happens After
an Unsatisfactory EICR?
An unsatisfactory report is the beginning of a defined remedial process. The next step is to understand the observations, make any immediate danger safe and obtain a scope that closes each required item with suitable evidence.
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Turn the report into an ordered work list
The short answer, before the detail
Review every C1, C2 and FI observation, address immediate danger, and have the required remedial or investigative work completed. For rented homes in England, the applicable regulations require work within 28 days or any shorter period stated in the report, followed by written confirmation supplied to the relevant parties.
- Do not price from the summary page alone.
- Separate immediate action from planned remedial work.
- Match each completed item to the original observation.
- Keep the report and follow-up electrical records together.
Start with the property, not the product
Four gaps commonly delay closure
The work is easier to manage when the original report is specific and the follow-up evidence is planned from the start.
Swipe through the four questions
02
Access
The quotation assumes the fault is fully exposed
Flooring, furniture, locked rooms, shared supplies or concealed joints may affect investigation and should be recorded before a fixed scope is agreed.
03
Scope
A board replacement is offered for every issue
Some observations concern circuits, accessories, bonding or supply equipment. The remedy must address the actual condition rather than one convenient product.
04
Evidence
The work is completed without a usable record
Invoices and photographs can support the file, but the affected electrical work also needs the certificate or written confirmation appropriate to its scope.
A practical decision guide
Close observations individually, then review the whole result
One project may include immediate isolation, further investigation, repairs and notifiable replacement work. Those stages can produce different records.
Immediate action
Remove or isolate present danger
C1 conditions cannot wait for an ordinary quotation cycle. The immediate safe state and any temporary limitation should be recorded.
Investigation
Resolve FI before inventing a repair price
Further testing or access may be required to identify the defect and determine the necessary work.
Remedial work
Address each C2 with a specific scope
The quotation should reference the report item, location, proposed remedy and any access assumption.
Final records
Retain the report and completion evidence together
A future tenant, agent or inspector should be able to understand how the unsatisfactory findings were resolved.
What professional work looks like
From unsatisfactory report to a complete record
A clear workflow prevents items being missed and avoids treating the consumer unit as the answer to every observation.
- 01
Review the report with the customer
Explain C1, C2, FI and C3 items, limitations and any immediate action already taken.
- 02
Survey access and dependencies
Check circuit identity, supply responsibilities, replacement equipment and any intrusive investigation required.
- 03
Issue an itemised remedial scope
Link the proposed work to the original observations and distinguish optional improvements.
- 04
Complete, inspect and test
Carry out the required work and verify the affected parts of the installation.
- 05
Provide written confirmation
Supply the applicable certificate, report or confirmation and retain it with the original EICR.
Experience made visible
The objective is traceable closure
A satisfactory outcome is not created by deleting old observations. It is supported by work and records that explain how the identified safety issues were addressed.
- Every C1, C2 and FI accounted for.
- Optional C3 improvements kept separate.
- Electrical records match the work.
- Landlord and tenant copies supplied where required.
Sources and scope
This guide explains the practical issues customers ask about. Regulations and official guidance can change, and the correct solution still depends on the property. The following primary sources were checked when this page was prepared:
EICR Testing Questions
Straight answers to the questions customers ask before arranging a survey or inspection.
How long does a landlord have to complete EICR remedial work?
For rented homes covered by the electrical safety regulations in England, remedial or investigative work must be completed within 28 days or any shorter period stated in the report. Check the current GOV.UK guidance for the property and tenancy concerned.
Do I need a completely new EICR after repairs?
Not automatically in every case. Appropriate written confirmation may include a satisfactory EICR, an Electrical Installation Certificate, a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate or another suitable record, depending on the work. The person completing it should make the closure clear.
Does an unsatisfactory EICR always mean a new fuse box?
No. Observations may relate to bonding, accessories, circuit continuity, insulation, enclosures or other conditions. Consumer-unit replacement should be recommended only where it addresses the verified installation and scope.
Can C3 improvements be included with remedial work?
Yes, if the customer chooses, but they should remain clearly identified as recommendations rather than being presented as equivalent to C1, C2 or FI work.
Arrange Qualified EICR Testing
Tell us about the property, reason for the inspection, current report and any required completion date.
Survey First
We inspect the property and existing installation before specifying work.
Evidence-Led Scope
The quotation separates verified work from assumptions and optional improvements.
Tested Handover
The completed work is tested and documented for its actual scope.
Clear Next Step
You know what is included, what remains and who controls the finished system.