Define which parts of the premises need inspection
Explain whether the enquiry concerns your whole business premises, a particular unit or a landlord-controlled area. Identify any shared entrance, external lighting or rooms managed by another occupier. This is especially useful in a converted building or divided property, where the physical space you use may not match the electrical installation you are responsible for.
Send the reason for requesting the report, such as a maintenance review, a lease discussion or an insurer’s written request. Include the wording and any relevant date. The electrician can discuss the proposed extent and access with you; the inspection should not be reduced to whichever rooms happen to be easiest to enter on the day.
Gather the records you already have
Gather the records you already have
Useful documents include a previous EICR, installation certificates for later alterations, circuit schedules and any plans showing the unit layout. Share the full documents where possible, including observations and test schedules. A photograph of the first page may miss information that affects the proposed inspection or explains what work has changed since the earlier report.
Make a short note of additions, recurring trips or damaged fittings reported since those documents were produced. Include changes in the use of rooms or equipment. You do not need to diagnose a defect or remove a cover to help: a clear description from staff and the records already available provide a safer starting point for discussion.
Plan the power interruptions before booking
Plan the power interruptions before booking
Inspection and testing can require circuits to be switched off. List equipment with operational consequences if power is interrupted, such as tills, network equipment, access controls or refrigeration. Identify the person or supplier responsible for each system and ask about shutdown and restart arrangements. Do not assume an inspection can be completed while everything continues running.
Discuss practical access windows, occupied work areas and any tenant or building-manager approvals. Agree who will notify staff and other occupiers. Electrical inspection, safe isolation and testing decisions belong with the competent person undertaking the work; your role in preparation is to explain operational constraints so a workable attendance plan can be agreed.
Understand what the EICR will tell you
Understand what the EICR will tell you
An Electrical Installation Condition Report records the condition of the fixed installation within its stated extent and limitations at the time of inspection. It includes findings and test information rather than providing an unlimited guarantee for the building. Ask how unavailable areas or agreed limitations will be recorded and what that means for the usefulness of the report.
Portable appliance testing is a different service, and a commercial EICR should not be assumed to include repairs. Ask Max to explain any observations requiring action and the appropriate next step. If a condition needs urgent attention, follow the advice given rather than waiting for a later refurbishment or treating the report as paperwork to file away.
Leave time to act on the findings
Leave time to act on the findings
An inspection may identify work that needs further investigation or a separate remedial quotation. When you have a report request tied to a lease, insurance discussion or planned opening, mention that early. Allow for the possibility of follow-up work rather than assuming that the first attendance will produce a satisfactory outcome without any changes.
To start your enquiry, provide the postcode, premises use, approximate size, known distribution boards and the documents you have. Add the reason for the report and the shutdown restrictions. Max can discuss the inspection scope, access and basis of the price, then explain how any subsequent repair work would be agreed with you.
Your planning checklist
- Premises address and the areas your organisation is responsible for.
- The written report request, reason for inspection and relevant date.
- Previous EICRs, circuit schedules and certificates for later alterations.
- Known faults, changed room uses and equipment added since the last report.
- Equipment requiring planned shutdowns and the person responsible for restarting it.
- Site access, occupier notifications and a contact authorised to discuss findings.
Questions answered
Which records should we send before commercial fixed wire testing?
Send the previous EICR, electrical certificates, distribution board schedules and relevant alteration records if available. Add the building use and the areas you occupy. Flag limitations or outstanding findings in the previous report so the scope can address them rather than repeating an assumption about access.
Ask Max about thisCan our commercial EICR be split across several shutdowns?
Discuss the operational windows and affected areas before booking. Whether inspection can be phased depends on the circuit arrangements and agreed scope. The programme must allow appropriate testing and a clear record of what has been assessed; separate visits do not automatically remove all interruption.
Ask Max about thisWho should be present for the inspection of business premises?
Arrange a contact who can provide keys, explain site restrictions and coordinate any operational decisions. Identify who authorises interruptions and extra work, and involve IT or equipment specialists where needed. The electrician should not have to guess whether a circuit can be disconnected during trading.
Ask Max about thisDoes a commercial EICR include the landlord's common areas?
Only if they are within the agreed instruction and access has been arranged. Establish which installation you are responsible for and who manages shared areas or landlord-controlled boards. Send that information with the quote request so the inspected boundary and any exclusions are clear.
Ask Max about thisShould we book remedial work before receiving the inspection report?
You can discuss potential availability, but the actual repair scope follows the findings. Ask for the observations and priorities to be explained, then agree investigation or remedial work separately. An inspection booking cannot promise a satisfactory result or define every repair that might be identified.
Ask Max about thisFurther reading
Read the official electrical safety guidance behind this advice.