Observation codes
EICR code cheatsheet
A compact, searchable orientation tool for common EICR observations. Filter by C1, C2, C3 or FI, compare plain-English explanations with typical report wording, and request remedial help through the verified enquiry form when you already hold a failed report.
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Why customers choose London EICR Certificates
- Fixed price, VAT includedThe price you see is set before you book. No call-out fee and nothing to pay until your report is ready.
- Qualified, vetted electriciansEvery inspection is done by a qualified electrician whose name and signature are on your report.
- EICR usually ready within 24 hoursUsually ready within 24 hours of completing the inspection. Your PDF follows payment, unless different written terms apply.
- Repairs quoted, never forcedIf anything fails you get a repair quote. You choose who does the work.
How it works
Step 1: Get your price
Flat or house, bedrooms and postcode. Your fixed price shows straight away.
Step 2: Book in two minutes
Pick a weekday morning or afternoon window (evenings and weekends on request) and tell us who will let the electrician in.
Step 3: A full inspection and test
The electrician inspects and tests the installation within the agreed scope and records any limitations in the report. Visit length depends on the property, the number of circuits and access; we give you an estimate when we confirm the appointment. Power is switched off for parts of the testing.
Step 4: Report in your inbox
Your EICR is usually ready within 24 hours of completing the inspection. We email the report once the invoice is paid, unless different written terms apply.
Questions first? Call 0203 811 8331 or WhatsApp us, any time, 7 days a week.
What C1, C2, C3 and FI mean
An observation code describes one finding. The overall satisfactory or unsatisfactory outcome is a separate statement on the report. One code does not diagnose the installation, and it does not override the inspector’s wording.
Read these examples alongside the classification guide and the observation wording on your own report. Use the linked official sources for the regulatory wording.
- C1 — danger present. Make the installation safe and get competent help. Do not treat this page as permission to work on live parts.
- C2 — potentially dangerous. It usually needs remedial work, but the observation text decides the practical response.
- C3 — improvement recommended. A C3 on its own does not make the whole report unsatisfactory.
- FI — further investigation is advised under BS 7671:2018+A4:2026. It does not by itself make the report unsatisfactory; it means something needs checking further before it can be coded.
How to use this cheatsheet
The searchable database currently covers 15 common observation themes drawn from existing guidance on this site. Start with a quick search or filter by code, then open a result for plain-English context, likely report impact and typical next steps.
If an observation on your report is unclear, contact the issuing inspector or a competent electrical professional with the observation number and the full document. Do not attempt DIY electrical diagnosis from this page.
Electrical accuracy limits
Possible codes shown for each theme are not automatic outcomes. Two similar-sounding defects can be coded differently for good technical reasons.
C1 means danger present and immediate action. C2 means potentially dangerous and urgent remedial action. C3 means improvement recommended. Under BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, FI means further investigation is advised and does not itself make the assessment unsatisfactory. Until 15 October 2026 the previous amendment remains available during the transition, but this guidance follows A4. An EICR is a report. It is not a certificate valid for exactly five years.
Cheatsheet FAQs
Does this cheatsheet replace an electrician? No. It is an orientation aid only. Coding depends on inspection findings, test results, installation circumstances and competent-person judgement recorded on your report.
Do C1, C2 and FI always make a report unsatisfactory? Under BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, C1 or C2 makes the overall assessment unsatisfactory. C3 and FI do not. FI means further investigation is advised. For rented property in England, a statutory duty to complete further investigative work is a separate question from that report outcome, and it still follows current GOV.UK guidance checked on 1 October 2026. A draft 2026 instrument is not yet law. Always read the overall assessment on the issued report.
Can one defect always map to one code? No. Many observations are context-dependent. The same named issue can receive different codes where risk, location, protective measures or access differ.
How do I request remedial work? Send your report using the remedial enquiry form on this page, or visit the remedial-work service page to understand the next steps.
Related pages
Book your EICR in two minutes
Fixed prices from £142.80 including VAT. Pick a weekday window, or ask for an evening or weekend, and receive your EICR after payment. It is usually ready within 24 hours of completing the inspection.
- 5.0Google (58)
- 4.6Trustpilot (19)
- From £142.80 inc VAT
- EICR usually ready within 24h