The quality of the inspection starts with the brief.
A commercial EICR is easier to plan and less disruptive when the duty holder, facilities team and electrician agree what is being inspected, which areas are accessible and what cannot be isolated during operating hours.
The aim is not to remove every limitation in advance. It is to identify genuine constraints early so the inspection programme, price and final report reflect the real site.
Define the extent
Confirm buildings, tenant areas, distribution boards and known exclusions before attendance.
Plan access
Arrange keys, permits, escorts, ceiling access, plant-room entry and any access equipment.
Protect operations
Identify critical circuits, equipment and shutdown windows that require site coordination.
Information to gather before requesting a quotation
Even an approximate but honest site picture is more useful than a low circuit count that changes on arrival.
- Site address, premises use, opening hours and principal contact
- Number and type of distribution boards and approximate circuit quantities
- Previous EICR, single-line information, circuit schedules and known defects
- Critical services, equipment or areas that cannot be isolated freely
- Access restrictions, permits, inductions and preferred working windows
Agree limitations before testing begins
Some circuits may serve IT, refrigeration, security, life-safety interfaces or production equipment. The client and electrician should agree how those systems will be managed and record any inspection or testing limitation accurately.
After the report
Review the observations and overall outcome first. Any remedial proposal should then describe the corrective work separately, including access, shutdowns, testing and the evidence required to close the item.
Commercial EICR and remedial services
Project illustrationBES delivery
A better brief creates a more useful report.
Accurate board, circuit, access and operational information allows the quotation and inspection plan to reflect the real premises.
Request a Commercial Site Visit Or get a budget estimateFrequently asked questions
Commercial questions, answered clearly.
Do all circuits need to be switched off during a commercial EICR?
Inspection and testing requirements vary. Critical circuits, permitted isolations and genuine limitations should be discussed before the programme is agreed.
What if the distribution-board schedules are inaccurate?
Tell the electrician before attendance. Inaccurate or missing schedules can affect identification, testing time, limitations and the scope of any separate labelling work.
Can remedial work be priced at the same time as the inspection?
Known works can be discussed, but EICR observations should be reviewed as factual findings before a separate remedial scope is finalised.