HOW TO HIRE · ELECTRICAL · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
An electrical safety inspection (eicr) in Ireland costs €200–€600 per report, typically around €350. Here is how to check that in a minute, what to ask, and what you must be handed when the job is done.
THE 60-SECOND VERSION
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Restricted to Registered Electrical Contractor (REC): a new circuit; a rewire; a new or replacement distribution board; work at the meter; a new supply to a bathroom or an outdoor area. Not restricted: replacing a light fitting like for like; replacing a socket front like for like.
Search the Safe Electric register for the name or the registration number before you agree a price. safeelectric.ie →
Issued by the Registered Electrical Contractor on completion of restricted works, once tested. It matters because it records that the work met the national wiring rules and was tested, and it is asked for on sale, remortgage and insurance.
Agree before the work starts that you will be handed completion certificate, and keep it with the house papers.
Expect public liability; ask who the insurer is and for the policy number. From a company, ask for the insurer, the limit and the VAT number, and ask who actually attends: the team that turns up may be employed, subcontracted or both, and only one of those is supervised by the firm you are paying.
Ask to see the current certificate of insurance — the insurer's name, the limit and the date it runs to.
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 a trader must tell you they are a trader, and your consumer rights — work carried out with reasonable skill and care, and a cooling-off period on a contract agreed in your home or online — apply to traders and not to private sellers. On Locufy the trader status is shown on the profile.
Look for the trader badge on the Locufy profile, and ask anyone else for it in writing before you agree a price.
VAT at 13.5%, the reduced rate Revenue publishes for this service. Ask whether the price you were given includes it. A trader under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge it; one over it must, and must show it separately.
Ask whether the figure you were given includes it, and for the VAT number if they are registered — Revenue publishes the rate for this service. revenue.ie →
A good answer: A number you can look up yourself before you agree a price — detailed Reporting — A comprehensive report is provided, detailing the findings of the inspection.
A good answer: On the day the work is finished and tested, not posted on later — compliance Assessment — the inspection evaluates compliance with the current regulatory standards and guidelines.
A good answer: The more the brief departs from the usual, the more it costs. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Problems hidden underneath are found once the work begins. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: It is the reason two providers can quote very differently. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Testing Equipment — specialised testing equipment is used to assess the safety and functionality of the electrical system — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a electrical safety inspection (EICR) job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
A good answer: Expect public liability; ask who the insurer is and for the policy number — visual Inspection — A visual inspection of all electrical installations is conducted to identify any obvious defects or hazards.
The figures are for the job, per report, and a quote for your own is the only number that binds anyone. Initial visual inspection and Testing circuit integrity each carry their own band. Electrical Safety Inspection (EICR) price guide →
Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE
ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.
Or post the job free and let them come to you.
AFTER
MONEY BACK
Two public schemes touch electrical work in a home. Neither pays for the job itself; both are claimed for the equipment and its installation, and the amounts and the dates are SEAI's own.
Who: A homeowner, or anyone with off-street parking at the property. You do not have to own an electric vehicle to apply.
Who: The owner of a home built and occupied before 2025.
Schemes change. The amounts above were checked on the dates shown; the official page is the one that counts.
The cost can vary based on the size and complexity of the electrical system, location, and the condition of existing installations. Additional factors include the experience of the electrician and any necessary follow-up work.
Typically, an Electrical Safety Inspection can take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours, depending on the size of the property and the complexity of the electrical system. Larger properties or those with older installations may require more time.
Many electricians offer emergency or same-day service, but availability can depend on demand and the specific electrician's schedule. It's best to check in advance if you require urgent service.
Yes, many electricians allow you to book multiple services, such as repairs or installations, alongside the Electrical Safety Inspection. This can often lead to cost savings and efficient scheduling.
An Electrical Safety Inspection typically does not include repairs or upgrades unless specifically arranged. It also does not cover the inspection of appliances or systems that are not part of the fixed electrical installation.
Search the name or the registration number. If the number does not resolve to the name on the quote, stop there.
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