Getting a failed EICR can feel like a punch in the stomach, especially when the report lands in your inbox full of codes, technical wording, and no clear idea of what the actual repair bill might be.

A lot of London landlords, homeowners, estate agents, and business owners all ask the same thing after an unsatisfactory report:

What is this actually going to cost me to fix?

That is exactly what this guide is here to answer.

This is not one of those vague articles that just says “costs vary.” Of course they vary. But that answer is useless when you are trying to plan remedial works, stay compliant, avoid delays, and not get overcharged. This guide breaks down 25 common EICR faults found in London properties, what they usually mean in plain English, and the sort of typical remedial cost ranges people often see.

If you already know you need help, you can explore our EICR remedial work service in London, check our main EICR services, or book directly through our online booking page.

First things first: what a failed EICR actually means

An EICR, or Electrical Installation Condition Report, checks the condition of the fixed electrical installation in a property. That includes things like the consumer unit, earthing, bonding, sockets, lighting circuits, protective devices, and general electrical safety.

A report is usually marked either:

• Satisfactory
• Unsatisfactory

An EICR normally becomes unsatisfactory if the inspector finds:

• C1: Danger present
• C2: Potentially dangerous
• FI: Further investigation required without delay

If you are not fully sure how these codes work, it is worth reading our guide on how to read and understand an EICR report for your London property.

For landlords, this is not just about safety. It is also about compliance. If you rent out property in London, a failed EICR usually means remedial action needs to happen quickly. If you need the landlord-specific side, check our page on EICR certificates for landlords in London.

Before we get into the 25 faults, here’s the truth about costs

No decent electrician should promise an exact remedial cost without understanding:

• the type of property
• the age of the installation
• access issues
• whether parts are obsolete
• how many circuits are affected
• whether testing and certification are included
• whether making good is needed after electrical works

So the numbers below are realistic guide ranges, not fixed quotes. They are designed to help you budget properly and spot when a price sounds fair, suspiciously cheap, or wildly inflated.

In London, labour, travel, parking, access delays, and the age of many properties can all push remedial costs upward compared to other parts of the UK.

If you want a general starting point for inspection pricing before remedials, our EICR certificate cost page and EICR price calculator are good places to start.

25 Common EICR Faults in London and What They Usually Cost to Fix

1. Missing main bonding to gas pipe

Typical cost: £120 to £250

This is one of the classic EICR issues in older London properties. Main bonding helps reduce the risk of electric shock by ensuring metallic services like gas pipes are correctly connected to earth. If it is missing or undersized, it often gets coded as C2.

Usually this is a fairly straightforward job if the gas meter and pipework are accessible.

2. Missing main bonding to water pipe

Typical cost: £120 to £250

Same principle as gas bonding. If the incoming water pipe is metal and needs bonding, the absence of it can result in an unsatisfactory report. In some flats and conversions, tracing the correct location can take longer, which is why the cost can vary.

3. No RCD protection where required

Typical cost: £150 to £650+

This one is massive. RCD protection is one of the most common reasons people fail an EICR. Sometimes it is one circuit. Sometimes it is the entire board setup. If the issue can be fixed with a small upgrade, the lower end may apply. If the consumer unit needs replacing, it jumps hard.

If you want a wider overview of inspections and protection issues, see our EICR testing in London page.

4. Old fuse board that no longer meets modern safety expectations

Typical cost: £450 to £950+

This is probably one of the faults people fear most because it can turn a simple inspection into a bigger conversation. An old rewireable fuse board, damaged board, or outdated consumer unit may not automatically fail in every scenario, but if other dangerous issues are present, replacement is often the smart route.

In London flats, access, labelling, surge protection requirements, and the number of circuits can all affect price.

5. Broken socket outlet

Typical cost: £80 to £150

A cracked or damaged socket can be coded as dangerous or potentially dangerous depending on its condition. If it is just one faceplate and the wiring behind is sound, this is usually a quick fix.

6. Loose socket outlet

Typical cost: £80 to £150

Loose sockets are common in rental properties and older homes where fittings have worked themselves free over time. Sometimes the issue is simple. Sometimes it reveals damaged back boxes, poor mounting, or stressed conductors.

7. Light fitting not properly enclosed or damaged

Typical cost: £90 to £220

A broken light, exposed terminals, missing covers, or poor installation can cause an EICR failure, particularly in bathrooms, kitchens, and communal areas.

8. Bathroom light not IP rated where needed

Typical cost: £120 to £250

This is a classic fail in London bathrooms, especially in older conversions or refurbishments done cheaply. If the fitting is not suitable for the zone it is installed in, it may need replacing with the correct type.

9. Shaver socket not RCD protected

Typical cost: £120 to £350

This is one of those faults that catches people out. The fix cost depends on whether the protection can be added at circuit level or whether wider work is needed.

10. Exposed live parts

Typical cost: £90 to £300

This can be a C1, which means danger present. Examples include missing blanks on a consumer unit, broken accessories exposing live components, or poorly terminated connections. The price depends on where the issue is and how much needs rebuilding.

11. Poor circuit labelling at the consumer unit

Typical cost: £60 to £150

Not every labelling issue causes a fail by itself, but in some cases incorrect or misleading labelling becomes a real safety concern. This is usually a low-cost fix but should not be ignored.

12. Incorrect breaker or fuse size for circuit

Typical cost: £90 to £250

If the protective device is oversized for the cable it is meant to protect, that can be serious. Sometimes the fix is as simple as changing the device. Sometimes it reveals a deeper design problem.

13. Signs of overheating in the consumer unit

Typical cost: £150 to £750+

This is where things get real. If there is heat damage, burning, melted insulation, or scorching, the affected parts may need replacing immediately. In some cases the safest fix is a full consumer unit replacement.

14. No SPD where recommended or required by the design

Typical cost: £120 to £300 if board accepts add-on
Typical cost: £500 to £950+ if board replacement needed

Surge protection devices are becoming more common in conversations around EICRs. Whether lack of an SPD causes a fail depends on the scenario, risk assessment, and installation context. The cost depends heavily on the board type.

15. Mixed brands of MCBs and RCDs in a way that compromises board integrity

Typical cost: £120 to £700+

This is one of those faults that sounds minor but can become a headache. Some mixed-brand arrangements are not compliant with the original board design and may create safety concerns. Costs vary depending on whether it can be corrected selectively or needs a replacement board.

16. Missing blanks in the consumer unit

Typical cost: £60 to £120

If live parts can be accessed through missing blanks, that can become dangerous fast. Usually cheap to fix, but definitely not something to leave.

17. Inadequate earthing arrangements

Typical cost: £150 to £450

If earthing is missing, inadequate, damaged, or improperly connected, this can produce serious safety issues. The exact fix depends on the supply arrangement and what is wrong with the existing installation.

18. High earth fault loop impedance readings

Typical cost: £150 to £600+

This is where a lot of people get confused. High impedance readings are not a single part you can just swap. They are a symptom. The cause could be poor connections, damaged conductors, inadequate earthing, corrosion, or issues at accessories or terminations. Fix costs vary because diagnosis is part of the job.

19. Failed ring final continuity

Typical cost: £180 to £650+

This often means the ring circuit is broken somewhere or has been altered badly over time. In London homes where kitchens have been changed, walls moved, or DIY works done, ring continuity faults are not rare. Locating the break can take time, which is why cost varies so much.

20. Reversed polarity

Typical cost: £90 to £300

This is a proper safety issue. The fix might be quick if it is isolated to one accessory, but sometimes it points to historic poor workmanship somewhere else on the circuit.

21. Borrowed neutral

Typical cost: £180 to £750+

This is the sort of fault that turns a normal remedial visit into detective work. Borrowed neutrals can create nuisance tripping, unsafe isolation conditions, and compliance issues. The labour is often the expensive part because tracing the wiring can be awkward.

22. Damaged cable insulation

Typical cost: £120 to £450+

If damage is local and accessible, the repair may be straightforward. If the damaged section is buried behind finishes or in concealed runs, it can become much more expensive.

23. No fire-rated downlights or unsafe recessed lighting arrangement

Typical cost: £120 to £500+

This shows up a lot after refurbishments. Sometimes it is not just the light fitting itself, but the way cables, insulation, and cut-outs have been handled around ceilings.

24. Accessory with no earth continuity

Typical cost: £120 to £350

A socket, light, switch, or metal fitting that has lost earth continuity can lead to a fail, especially if it is a Class I metal accessory. Costs depend on whether the fault is local or part of a wider circuit issue.

25. Full or partial consumer unit replacement after multiple faults

Typical cost: £550 to £1,250+

Sometimes the truth is that fixing ten separate faults around an ancient board is false economy. If the installation has multiple issues around protection, labelling, overheating, device compatibility, and general age, replacing the board may be the more sensible move.

For commercial sites, large homes, HMOs, or multi-board installations, this can go higher. If you manage a rental portfolio or business premises, see our commercial EICR certificates in London page as well.

What usually makes remedial costs go up in London?

A lot of people think electricians just make prices up. The reality is more boring than that. The final cost often comes down to time, complexity, and risk.

Here are the big cost drivers.

1. The age of the property

Older London properties are full of surprises. Victorian houses, converted flats, and ageing rental stock often have a mix of old and newer wiring, partial upgrades, and historic work done by different contractors across different decades.

That usually means:

• longer testing time
• more hidden defects
• harder cable routes
• more uncertainty until work begins

2. Access problems

No loft access, boxed-in pipework, overcrowded cupboards, fitted furniture blocking sockets, tenants not available, parking restrictions, controlled entry, concierge delays, and no isolation access all add friction.

The fault itself may not be hard. Getting to it is the hard part.

3. Whether the issue is isolated or systemic

Replacing one broken socket is cheap. Discovering that three circuits have no proper RCD protection and the board is outdated is a different game completely.

4. Parts availability

Some older consumer units and protective devices are awkward because the exact parts may be obsolete. In those cases, patching things becomes less viable.

5. Re-testing and certification

Remedial work should not just be “done.” It should be properly tested, verified, and documented. Depending on the job, there may be additional certification or a follow-up EICR/reinspection involved.

How much do failed EICRs usually cost overall?

This is the question most people really want answered.

For many London properties, failed EICR remedial works fall into rough bands like this:

• Minor remedials: £80 to £250
• Moderate remedials: £250 to £650
• Bigger remedials with consumer unit or multiple circuit issues: £650 to £1,500+
• Complex or commercial remedials: £1,500 and upward depending on scope

That does not mean every failed EICR turns into a massive bill. Plenty do not. Sometimes the report looks scary but the actual corrective work is relatively manageable. The key is knowing which faults are simple, which are investigative, and which are warning signs of wider installation problems.

If you want to understand the cost side before booking, check our EICR certificate cost page and book online when you are ready.

Landlords: what happens after an unsatisfactory report?

If you are a landlord, speed matters.

When an EICR comes back unsatisfactory, the next step is not panic. It is getting the right remedial plan in place fast. In most cases, the process looks like this:

1. inspection takes place
2. EICR issued
3. faults reviewed and prioritised
4. remedial works quoted
5. repairs completed
6. installation or affected circuits tested again
7. compliance evidence issued

If you are renting the property out, do not sit on the report hoping it will sort itself out. That is where landlords get into trouble.

Our dedicated EICR certificates for landlords in London page explains the landlord side in more detail, and if you are managing multiple units you may also want to visit our areas we cover page to see where we operate.

Homeowners: should you always fix everything immediately?

Not always in the same way, but you should always take the report seriously.

If the issue is a C1 or serious C2, it needs urgent action. If the problem is more about the wider condition of an ageing installation, you may have options. A good electrician will explain whether the sensible route is:

• a local repair
• circuit-level upgrade
• consumer unit replacement
• phased improvement plan
• bigger rewiring discussion

If you own and occupy the property, our EICR certificates for homeowners in London page is the best place to start.

Businesses and commercial properties: remedials can be more disruptive than the inspection

Commercial clients often focus on the EICR inspection itself, but the real planning challenge is usually the remedial stage.

For example:

• can works be done outside trading hours?
• will circuits need isolating?
• are there tenants or staff on site?
• does the issue affect emergency lighting, server equipment, refrigeration, shutters, or customer areas?
• is access needed to multiple boards?

If you run a commercial premises, do not treat remedials as an afterthought. You want a contractor who thinks about downtime, access sequencing, and certification from the start.

That is why our commercial EICR certificates in London page is built specifically around business use cases.

How to avoid getting overcharged after a failed EICR

Let’s be real. A failed EICR can make some people vulnerable to bad quotes because they feel backed into a corner.

Here’s how to stay sharp.

Ask for a fault-by-fault explanation

If the quote says “remedials £1,450” with no detail, that is weak. You should be able to understand what is being fixed and why.

Separate testing from repair scope

Sometimes a fault needs diagnosis first, especially with things like high impedance, borrowed neutrals, or ring continuity issues. That is normal. But it should be explained clearly.

Be wary of ultra-cheap fixes to serious faults

If a board is overheating, has device compatibility issues, lacks protection, and is generally in poor condition, a suspiciously cheap patch-up may not be the smart move.

Look at the bigger picture

Sometimes replacing a board or upgrading a section properly saves money versus repeated small callouts.

Make sure certification is included where needed

The work is not just about changing parts. It is about leaving the installation safer and properly documented.

If you want to understand who should even be doing this type of work, our About Us page gives a better idea of how we approach inspections and remedials.

Why London properties fail EICRs so often

Honestly, because London is full of buildings with history.

That sounds nice until you open a cupboard and find:

• an old fuse board from a different era
• a kitchen circuit altered three times
• metal accessories with poor earth continuity
• lighting changed during a cosmetic refurb
• old bonding arrangements never upgraded
• DIY extensions and borrowed wiring
• conversions that look neat on the surface but hide messy electrics underneath

That is why EICRs matter. They are not there to make life difficult. They are there to identify risks before those risks become shocks, fire hazards, or legal headaches.

If you have not booked one yet and just want the inspection first, our main home page and EICR services page are the best starting points.

Our approach to failed EICRs in London

When people contact us after a failed report, they usually want three things:

1. a clear explanation
2. a fair remedial quote
3. a practical route to compliance

That is how we like to handle it.

We work with landlords, homeowners, estate agents, and commercial clients across London and focus on making the process straightforward. No confusing waffle. No weird scare tactics. Just clear advice on what the report means, what needs doing, and how to move forward properly.

Depending on the property and the scope, we can help with:

• EICR inspections
• landlord EICR certificates
• homeowner EICRs
• commercial EICRs
• remedial works for failed reports
• guidance on next steps after an unsatisfactory result

You can visit:

• EICR Services
• EICR Certificates for Homeowners in London
• EICR Certificates for Landlords in London
• Commercial EICR Certificates in London
• Remedial Work for Failed EICR Certificates
• FAQ
• Book Online

Failed EICR is not the end of the world, but guessing the cost can be expensive

A failed EICR does not always mean disaster.

Sometimes it means one or two focused repairs. Sometimes it means the inspection has done exactly what it is supposed to do, which is expose hidden issues before they become serious. And yes, sometimes it means you need a wider upgrade conversation.

The key is not to freeze, delay, or go for the cheapest quote just because the report looks intimidating.

A smarter move is this:

• understand the actual faults
• know the realistic London cost ranges
• prioritise dangerous items
• get the remedials handled properly
• make sure the installation is retested and documented

If you need help with a failed EICR in London, whether it is for a flat, house, rented property, HMO, office, shop, or commercial premises, we are here to help.

Start here:

Book Online
Check EICR Certificate Costs
View Remedial Work Services
See All Areas We Cover