Start with the observations page: which items need immediate action, which need investigation, and what paperwork should you keep after repairs?
An unsatisfactory Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) can leave you with a list of observations and little idea of what to do first. The next step is to understand the findings, address any immediate danger and agree the work needed.
The result does not automatically mean a full rewire. Equally, an urgent observation should not be treated as a cosmetic recommendation because the lights and sockets still work.
Separate the classifications
C1 means danger is present and immediate action is required. C2 identifies a potentially dangerous condition requiring urgent remedial action. C3 is an improvement recommendation. FI means further investigation is required without delay.
C1, C2 or FI can make the overall assessment unsatisfactory. C3 alone does not. Ask the inspecting electrician to explain any unclear observation and its location; a code without context is a poor basis for pricing work.
Make immediate risks safe
Where danger is present, making the affected part safe takes priority over planning an upgrade. This may involve isolation. Follow the inspector's advice and do not restore a circuit that has been left isolated for safety.
Other observations may require a planned visit or investigation, but their urgency should be explained. A legal deadline is not permission to leave a dangerous condition in use until that date.
Send the whole report for a quote
Include the schedules and limitations as well as the observations page. Our EICR service and remedial assessment depend on understanding what was inspected and what the results show.
Some repairs can be scoped from the report. Others require fault finding before the extent is known. Agree the investigation charge separately from any repair that cannot yet be priced accurately.
Match each repair to a finding
A damaged accessory might need replacement and checks on the affected wiring. A protective-device issue may need a different solution from a cable defect. A consumer unit upgrade should be recommended because it addresses identified needs, rather than as the default response to every unsatisfactory report.
Ask which observation each item of work resolves. Keep optional improvements clearly identified so you can compare quotations on the same basis. Do not assume several unrelated observations will disappear after one component is replaced.
Keep a clear paper trail
The appropriate certification depends on the work completed. Retain the original report with the repair certificates and written confirmation of the findings addressed. A fresh whole-property EICR is not automatically required after every repair.
For landlords whose tenancies fall under the electrical safety regulations in England, the clock starts on the inspection date. A qualified person must carry out the required investigation or repairs within 28 days, or sooner if the report sets a shorter deadline. Within 28 days of completing that work, give each existing tenant and the local council the original report and written confirmation stating whether the standards are met or further work is needed.
Know what remains outstanding
Before treating the matter as complete, check that every urgent finding and required investigation has been accounted for. A repair to one socket does not close an unrelated observation elsewhere.
The practical goal is an understandable record: what was wrong, what was done, what was tested and whether anything remains to be addressed. That helps you maintain the property and gives the next inspector useful information.
Frequently asked questions
Do C3 recommendations make the report unsatisfactory?
C3 alone does not make it unsatisfactory. C1, C2 and FI require attention in line with their significance and the report.
Does FI mean I can ignore it until the next inspection?
No. FI calls for further investigation without delay. It is not a substitute for resolving an uncertain safety issue.
Will repairs always require another full EICR?
Not automatically. Appropriate certification and written confirmation may document the completed work alongside the original report.
Can another electrician quote for the remedials?
Yes, provide the complete report. They may need to inspect or investigate before confirming the scope and taking responsibility for their work.
Discuss the next step
If you have an unsatisfactory report for a property in Southampton or the surrounding area, send us the complete report and your postcode. We can discuss the observations, investigation required and the next steps for remedial work.
Discuss your EICR and remedial work with Solid Electrics or call 023 8181 0636
