If your rental property has received an unsatisfactory Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), the cost of fixing it depends on the actual faults identified.
Some problems can be resolved by replacing damaged electrical accessories or repairing an individual circuit. Others require further investigation, upgrading protective devices or replacing a consumer unit.
As a 2026 UK market reference, Checkatrade lists £450–£800 plus VAT for replacing a consumer unit. Smaller repairs can cost considerably less, while complex electrical work can cost more. These are national estimates, not confirmed prices for Peterborough or 360 Maintenance Solutions Ltd.
For landlords in England, remedial work or further investigation required by an EICR must normally be completed within 28 days, or sooner if the report specifies a shorter period. Dangerous conditions require immediate attention.
360 Maintenance Solutions Ltd provides EICR testing and electrical remedial work in Peterborough.
What is EICR remedial work?
An EICR checks the condition of a property's fixed electrical installation.
The inspection covers elements such as the consumer unit, electrical wiring, sockets, lighting circuits and protective devices.
Where the inspector identifies a defect, the report describes the observation and assigns a classification code.
Remedial work is the repair or replacement work required to address the identified faults.
An unsatisfactory EICR does not automatically mean that the entire property needs rewiring.
Which EICR fault codes require action?
Understanding the codes helps you decide which work must be arranged.
| EICR code | Meaning | Required response |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | Danger present | Immediate action to remove or make safe the danger |
| C2 | Potentially dangerous | Remedial work required |
| C3 | Improvement recommended | Improvement is recommended but is not automatically mandatory under the EICR regulations |
| FI | Further investigation required | Investigation required without delay |
An EICR containing a C1, C2 or FI observation is normally classed as unsatisfactory.
A report containing only C3 recommendations is not unsatisfactory on that basis alone.
What should I do about a C1 fault?
A C1 observation indicates danger is present.
The affected installation or circuit may need to be isolated or otherwise made safe immediately by an electrically competent person.
Do not continue using equipment or circuits that an electrician has identified as dangerous.
The statutory 28-day remedial deadline must not be treated as permission to leave an immediate hazard in service.
What does a C2 fault mean?
A C2 observation identifies a potentially dangerous condition.
The necessary repair depends on the defect recorded. Examples could include problems with protective devices, earthing, bonding or damaged wiring.
The presence of a C2 code does not automatically justify replacing the entire consumer unit.
The electrician should identify the fault and explain the appropriate corrective work.
What does FI mean?
FI means the inspector could not reach a satisfactory conclusion about an issue and further investigation is required without delay.
For example, additional work may be needed to establish why a circuit has abnormal test results.
The cost may not be known until the fault has been traced.
How much does EICR remedial work cost in Peterborough?
There is no fixed price for making an unsatisfactory EICR satisfactory.
A reliable quotation should be based on the actual observations, testing results and installation condition.
The table below separates straightforward repairs from larger electrical work.
| Work required | Cost guidance |
|---|---|
| Replacing a damaged socket or switch | Usually a smaller repair; depends on wiring condition, access and minimum call-out charges |
| Repairing a loose or damaged connection | Depends on whether the fault is accessible or needs investigation |
| Replacing a faulty RCD or RCBO | Depends on the device, consumer unit compatibility and testing |
| Correcting earthing or bonding | Depends on cable routes, supply arrangements and access |
| Tracing an unidentified circuit fault | Usually priced by investigation time and any additional repairs |
| Consumer unit replacement | UK market guide: £450–£800 plus VAT, assuming a reasonably straightforward installation |
| Partial or complete rewiring | Requires an individual quotation after assessing the installation |
The consumer unit figure is taken from Checkatrade's May 2026 UK electrician price guide, checked 17 October 2026. It is a national estimate, not a 360 price. Other work types are deliberately left without fixed prices because the defect and installation conditions determine the scope.
A contractor may charge less per item when several straightforward repairs can be completed in one visit. However, complex faults may require additional testing or return visits.
Is the EICR inspection included in the repair price?
Not necessarily.
An EICR inspection identifies the condition of the installation. Remedial work is usually charged separately.
360's published EICR pricing starts at:
| Property | Published 360 inspection price |
|---|---|
| One- or two-bedroom property | From £120 + VAT |
| Three-bedroom property | From £150 + VAT |
| Four-bedroom or larger property / HMO | Individual quotation |
These are inspection prices, not the cost of fixing an unsatisfactory report. Confirm current charges and scope before booking.
See the separate EICR inspection cost guide for Peterborough.
Does a C2 fault mean I need a new consumer unit?
No.
A C2 fault relating to electrical protection may be resolved in different ways.
The solution depends on:
- The condition and design of the existing consumer unit.
- The protective device involved.
- Whether a compatible replacement is available.
- The condition of the connected circuits.
- Earthing and bonding arrangements.
- Any additional defects found during inspection.
A faulty RCD may sometimes be replaced without changing the whole consumer unit.
However, replacing the board may be the appropriate solution where the existing equipment is defective, unsuitable or cannot be repaired adequately.
An older consumer unit is not automatically unsafe simply because it was installed before the latest edition of BS 7671.
What is an RCD?
An RCD, or residual current device, detects certain differences between outgoing and returning electrical current and disconnects the supply when a qualifying fault is detected.
It is an important form of additional protection against electric shock.
An RCBO combines residual-current protection with overcurrent protection for an individual circuit.
These devices must be selected, installed and tested by a competent electrical professional.
Real example: EICR remedial work in Werrington, Peterborough
360 Maintenance Solutions Ltd has published a completed EICR remedial project involving a terraced rental property in Werrington.
The landlord arranged an electrical inspection before a new tenancy.
The inspection findings
The report identified:
- One C2 observation involving a faulty RCD on an older consumer unit.
- Two C3 recommendations.
The electrician reviewed the defects and provided a quotation for the required work.
The repair
The consumer unit was replaced within five days.
The installation was then re-inspected, and a satisfactory EICR was issued.
According to the published project record, the new tenancy started on schedule.
This example shows how an unsatisfactory report can lead to a targeted electrical upgrade rather than a complete rewire. It does not establish that every faulty RCD requires a new consumer unit.
Read the Werrington EICR and electrical remedial work case study.
How long does a landlord have to fix an unsatisfactory EICR?
Under the electrical safety regulations in England, landlords must arrange required investigative or remedial work within 28 days, unless the report specifies a shorter period.
The work must be carried out by a suitably qualified person.
The deadline applies to the required corrective work, not merely obtaining a quotation or scheduling an appointment.
What happens after the repairs?
Within 28 days after the required work is completed, landlords must provide the tenant and the local council with the relevant report and written confirmation from the qualified person who completed the work.
Acceptable evidence may include an appropriate Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC), Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate or other suitable confirmation.
Landlords should retain the original EICR alongside the repair records.
The legal requirements are explained in GOV.UK's electrical safety guidance for landlords.
Do I need another EICR after remedial work?
Not automatically.
A landlord may use the original unsatisfactory EICR together with appropriate certification and written confirmation that the necessary defects have been corrected.
A completely new periodic inspection is not always required solely because remedial work took place.
However, a further EICR may be appropriate where:
- Significant additional inspection or testing is necessary.
- The original inspection had substantial limitations.
- The next scheduled inspection is due.
- The property has undergone extensive electrical alterations.
- A particular licensing authority requires an updated satisfactory report.
The original next-inspection date does not automatically reset because a repair certificate has been issued.
Ask the electrical professional what documentation will be supplied before authorising the work.
Does consumer unit replacement require Building Regulations notification?
Yes, where it is notifiable domestic electrical work in England.
Replacing a consumer unit generally falls within Part P of the Building Regulations.
The work must follow an appropriate Building Regulations compliance route. For example, a contractor registered with a suitable competent person scheme may be able to self-certify and notify the work.
Alternatively, the work can follow the relevant building control route.
The electrician should explain how the work will be certified and notified before installation begins.
A contractor's invoice alone is not a substitute for the electrical certification or Building Regulations compliance evidence required for the work.
See GOV.UK's guidance on notifiable work.
Can a landlord use a different electrician for remedial work?
Yes.
The electrician who produced the EICR does not have to carry out every repair.
Another suitably qualified and competent electrical professional can review the report, assess the installation and quote for the corrective work.
The contractor may need to inspect or test parts of the installation before confirming the price.
If the proposed work differs from the original inspector's recommendation, ask for a clear technical explanation.
What should an EICR remedial quotation include?
Ask for an itemised written quotation that identifies the work and any uncertainty.
Quotation checklist
- Property address and date of the EICR.
- Reference to each C1, C2 or FI observation.
- Description of the proposed repair or investigation.
- Parts, materials and labour included.
- Any provisional allowances for fault-finding.
- Testing and commissioning included.
- Electrical certification included.
- Building Regulations notification, where required.
- Any isolation or access arrangements.
- Any plastering or redecoration required after the electrical work.
- Price excluding VAT and price including VAT.
- Expected completion date and arrangements for handing over documents.
Where possible, ask for C3 improvements to be priced separately from legally required remedial work.
This makes it easier to distinguish the essential scope from optional upgrades.
How to reduce disruption during electrical remedial work
For an occupied rental property, arrange access and communicate the proposed work with the tenant.
Electrical repairs may require temporary power isolation. A consumer unit replacement normally involves switching off the supply during installation and testing.
For a void property, arranging the EICR early can leave time for necessary repairs before the new tenancy starts.
Landlords should avoid scheduling electrical work so late that defects cannot be corrected before occupation.
If several trades are involved, electrical repairs that require opening walls or ceilings may need to be completed before final plastering and decoration.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fix a failed EICR?
It depends on the observations. Replacing a damaged electrical accessory can be a relatively small job. A consumer unit replacement or substantial circuit repair is more expensive. The report must be reviewed before a reliable quotation can be given.
Is C2 an automatic failure?
A C2 observation normally makes an EICR unsatisfactory. It identifies a potentially dangerous condition requiring remedial work.
Do landlords have to fix C3 observations?
Not solely because they appear on the EICR. C3 indicates an improvement recommendation. Other legal requirements or property-specific circumstances may still need consideration.
Does every failed EICR require a new consumer unit?
No. The corrective work depends on the identified faults. Consumer unit replacement is not automatically necessary.
Can I rent out a property with an unsatisfactory EICR?
Landlords must ensure that electrical safety standards are met and required remedial work is completed within the applicable timescale. A dangerous installation must not be treated as suitable for occupation merely because the 28-day period has not expired. Obtain professional advice on the identified hazards before allowing occupation.
Can I send 360 an EICR from another electrician?
Yes. 360 advertises EICR remedial and electrical repair services. Send the report for review. Further inspection or testing may be needed before a firm quotation can be provided.
Get an EICR remedial work quote in Peterborough
If you have received an unsatisfactory EICR, 360 Maintenance Solutions Ltd can review the observations and arrange a quotation for the required electrical work.
Our advertised electrical services include fault finding, consumer unit replacement, socket and switch repairs, and electrical inspections.
For an enquiry, send:
- Your Peterborough property postcode.
- The full EICR report.
- The C1, C2 and FI observations.
- The deadline stated on the report or council notice.
- Any available photographs of the consumer unit or affected equipment.
View EICR testing and remedial services
View electrical repairs and consumer unit replacement
Telephone: 07766 184141
WhatsApp: 07383 512577
Landlords reviewing their wider property obligations can also use the free Peterborough landlord compliance checker. It does not replace an electrical inspection or certify compliance.