Fixed Wire Testing Price Per Circuit: UK Costs 2026
If you're trying to budget for an EICR, understanding the fixed wire testing price per circuit is the most practical way to estimate your total cost. The problem is that pricing varies widely depending on property type, location, and the number of circuits involved, and not every contractor breaks it down the same way.
At Electrical Testing London, we carry out fixed wire testing across domestic and commercial properties throughout London, Greater London, and the South East. We see the quotes our clients receive from other contractors, and we know where pricing gets confusing or inflated. That hands-on experience is exactly what shaped this guide, real numbers based on what the market actually charges in 2026.
This article sets out current per-circuit rates for both domestic and commercial fixed wire testing, explains what drives those costs up or down, and gives you enough detail to compare quotes with confidence. Whether you're a landlord with a single flat or a facilities manager responsible for a multi-floor office, you'll find the pricing benchmarks you need below.
What fixed wire testing covers and who needs it
Fixed wire testing, formally known as an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), is a thorough inspection of all the fixed electrical wiring within a building. Unlike portable appliance testing, which covers plug-in equipment, fixed wire testing examines everything that is permanently wired in: the consumer unit, distribution boards, circuit breakers, wiring routes, sockets, light fittings, and earth bonding. The inspector works through each individual circuit in the installation, which is exactly why the fixed wire testing price per circuit has become the standard method for calculating and comparing costs.
What the inspection actually involves
A qualified engineer works through the installation circuit by circuit, carrying out both visual checks and instrument-based tests. Visual checks look for signs of damage, incorrect wiring methods, inadequate protection, and components that fall below current standards. Instrument testing goes further, measuring insulation resistance, earth continuity, polarity, and loop impedance on each circuit. The engineer records every finding, classifies any defects using a standard coding system, and produces the EICR document at the end.
The coding system matters because it drives what happens next. A C1 (danger present) means the circuit poses an immediate risk and needs urgent remedial work before the installation can be used safely. A C2 (potentially dangerous) requires attention soon, while a C3 (improvement recommended) flags good practice issues without affecting the overall outcome. Understanding these codes helps you assess not just what the inspection costs, but what remedial work you might need to budget for afterwards.
The EICR result is either "Satisfactory" or "Unsatisfactory" - an unsatisfactory report does not mean the building is immediately unusable, but it does mean remedial work is required before it complies with current standards.
Who is required to carry out fixed wire testing
Legal requirements vary depending on who you are and what the property is used for. For private landlords in England, the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 require an EICR at least every five years, with a copy provided to each tenant before or at the start of their tenancy. Commercial property owners face obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and associated regulations, which require employers to maintain safe electrical systems. Fixed wire testing is the standard method used to demonstrate that compliance.
Homeowners carry no legal obligation to obtain an EICR, but many commission one when buying or selling a property, when arranging buildings insurance, or simply to verify that an older installation remains safe. If your home was built before the 1990s and has not had a recent inspection, the wiring may not meet current standards even if it appears functional. Mortgage lenders and insurers increasingly request an EICR as part of their assessment, particularly for older properties.
For commercial clients, the recommended inspection interval depends on the type of premises. Offices typically require testing every five years, while industrial sites and higher-risk premises may need testing every three years or more frequently depending on the nature of the activities carried out there.
Why per-circuit pricing matters
The number of circuits in your installation is the single biggest variable in your final invoice. When contractors quote a fixed wire testing price per circuit, they are telling you the unit cost for each individual circuit inspection rather than a flat fee for the whole building. That distinction matters because two properties of identical size can have very different circuit counts depending on how the electrical installation was designed and how many times it has been extended or upgraded over the years.
It gives you a realistic cost before the engineer arrives
A per-circuit rate lets you estimate your bill before the inspection takes place, provided you know roughly how many circuits your installation contains. A standard two-bedroom flat in London typically has between 8 and 12 circuits, while a three-bedroom house might have 12 to 16. Commercial premises vary far more widely, but having a circuit count, even an approximate one, means you can multiply it by the quoted rate and arrive at a working budget figure rather than waiting for a surprise total.
If you are unsure how many circuits your property has, check the consumer unit or distribution board: each breaker or fuse typically represents one circuit.
It makes comparing contractors straightforward
When every contractor quotes the same unit metric, you can line up two or three quotes and see the real difference in cost immediately. Flat-fee quotes can obscure this comparison entirely. A contractor quoting a low flat fee might be pricing on the assumption of fewer circuits than your installation actually contains, leaving you exposed to add-on charges once the engineer is on site. Per-circuit pricing removes that ambiguity and holds both parties to a transparent calculation.
Your total cost also depends on factors beyond the circuit count alone, including minimum call-out fees, travel charges, and whether the report is included in the quoted rate or billed separately. Understanding the per-circuit structure helps you ask the right questions and identify where additional charges might appear before you commit to a contractor.
Typical UK per-circuit costs in 2026
Rates have shifted upward slightly since 2024, driven by higher engineer day rates and increased demand for compliance testing. For most properties, the fixed wire testing price per circuit currently sits within a predictable range, though location, property type, and the complexity of the installation all influence where your quote lands within that range.
Domestic per-circuit rates
For residential properties, most contractors in London and the South East charge between £10 and £20 per circuit, with rates in central London often sitting at the higher end. A standard two-bedroom flat with 10 circuits might therefore cost between £100 and £200 for the inspection itself. Older properties with more complex wiring, split consumer units, or circuits that require additional isolation time to test safely will typically attract rates closer to £20 per circuit, or a supplementary charge on top of the base rate.
Most domestic quotes also include a minimum call-out fee of between £75 and £100, which covers the engineer's time regardless of circuit count, so very small properties may pay proportionally more per circuit than larger ones.
A two to three hour appointment is standard for a domestic EICR on a property with 10 to 16 circuits. If the inspection uncovers remedial work, that is quoted and priced separately.
Commercial per-circuit rates
Commercial fixed wire testing is priced higher due to the increased complexity involved. Three-phase supplies, distribution boards, and industrial circuits all take longer to test and require more detailed documentation. Typical rates in the UK range from £15 to £30 per circuit for commercial premises, with larger or higher-risk installations attracting rates at the top end of that scale.
For offices in London, a modest premises with 30 circuits might cost between £450 and £900 for the inspection. Facilities managers overseeing multiple sites or buildings can often negotiate a reduced per-circuit rate when booking several inspections at once, so it is worth discussing volume pricing with your contractor if that applies to your situation.
The table below summarises the typical ranges for both property types.
| Property type | Typical per-circuit rate | Common circuit count | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic (flat) | £10 to £18 | 8 to 12 | £80 to £216 |
| Domestic (house) | £10 to £20 | 12 to 18 | £120 to £360 |
| Commercial (office) | £15 to £25 | 20 to 50 | £300 to £1,250 |
| Commercial (industrial) | £20 to £30 | 30 to 80 | £600 to £2,400 |
How to estimate your total fixed wire test cost
Estimating your bill before an engineer arrives is straightforward once you know two things: your circuit count and the per-circuit rate your contractor charges. The figures in the previous section give you the rate range; this section shows you how to combine them into a working estimate.
Count your circuits first
The most reliable way to count your circuits is to open your consumer unit (the grey or white box usually mounted near your electricity meter) and count the individual breakers or fuses inside. Each breaker represents one circuit. Older properties may have a fuse board rather than a modern consumer unit, but the same principle applies: count the individual fuses or breakers. If you have more than one board, count everything across all boards and add the totals together. A typical two-bedroom flat has between 8 and 12 circuits, while a three or four-bedroom house often has 14 to 18.
If you cannot access the consumer unit safely, ask your contractor to carry out a brief circuit count before providing a final quote; most will do this at no charge.
Build your estimate from the numbers
Once you have a circuit count, the calculation for your fixed wire testing price per circuit is simple multiplication. Take your circuit count, multiply it by the per-circuit rate your contractor quotes, and then add the minimum call-out fee, which typically ranges from £75 to £100 for domestic properties. For example, a house with 14 circuits at £15 per circuit comes to £210 for the inspection itself, plus the call-out fee, giving a working total of roughly £285 to £310.
Commercial properties follow the same method but often include additional line items such as distribution board testing or extended documentation fees for larger installations. Ask your contractor to confirm whether the written report is included in the per-circuit rate or billed separately, as this varies between firms. Building this detail into your estimate from the start means there are no unexpected additions on the final invoice.
How to compare quotes and avoid hidden charges
Not every contractor structures their pricing the same way, and comparing quotes without understanding what each one includes is how clients end up paying more than expected. When you request quotes for fixed wire testing, ask each contractor to provide a written, itemised breakdown rather than a single total figure. That one step makes genuine comparison possible and protects you if charges appear on the final invoice that were not discussed upfront.
Ask for an itemised breakdown
When you request a quote, ask the contractor to separate the per-circuit rate, the call-out or minimum visit fee, the cost of the written EICR report, and any travel supplement. Some contractors absorb report production into their per-circuit rate; others bill it as a separate line item ranging from £20 to £50. Knowing this in advance means your fixed wire testing price per circuit comparison reflects the true unit cost, not just the headline number.
The list below shows the specific items worth confirming in writing before you book:
- Per-circuit rate and what it includes
- Minimum call-out or visit fee
- Whether the written EICR report is included or charged separately
- Travel supplements for your postcode
- Additional fees for split-board installations or multiple distribution boards
- Charges for circuits that require extended testing time
A quote that looks cheaper per circuit can cost more overall once report fees and call-out charges are added in, so always compare the full itemised total.
Watch for charges that don't appear in the headline rate
Some contractors advertise a low per-circuit rate but apply surcharges for older installations, particularly properties with fuse boards rather than modern circuit breakers, or buildings where circuits need to be isolated manually. These are legitimate complications that take additional time, but they should be disclosed before the work starts, not added to the invoice afterwards.
A second area to check is re-inspection fees. If your installation receives an unsatisfactory result and you carry out remedial work, some contractors charge a full reinspection at the same rate as the original visit. Others offer a reduced reinspection fee. Knowing this upfront helps you budget for the complete compliance process, not just the initial inspection.
A quick wrap-up and what to do next
The fixed wire testing price per circuit gives you a reliable starting point for budgeting your EICR, whether you own a single flat or manage a commercial building. Domestic rates typically run from £10 to £20 per circuit, while commercial inspections sit between £15 and £30. Add the call-out fee, confirm the written report is included, and you have a working total before the engineer arrives.
Comparing quotes becomes straightforward once you ask for an itemised breakdown. Watch for additional charges around older installations, split boards, and reinspection fees, and always confirm that the per-circuit rate covers the complete service. Armed with those details, you can book with confidence rather than guessing at the final bill.
If you're ready to get a clear, itemised price for your property, request a fixed wire testing quote from Electrical Testing London today.
