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Earthing on your EICR: what an upgrade involves
When a report mentions the earthing, the main earth conductor or the tails, it is usually about the supply side of your board. It is a short job, but it can come before a new consumer unit.
What the observation means
Earthing gives a fault current a safe route back to the supply, so that the protective devices operate quickly. Reports flag it when the main earthing conductor is missing, too small or poorly connected, or when the readings suggest the earth path is not good enough. It is often found alongside missing bonding and an old board.
The main earth and the tails
The main earth is the conductor from your consumer unit's earth terminal to the earth of the supply. The tails are the two heavy cables that run from the meter to the main switch of your board. If either is undersized, damaged or in poor condition, it is replaced as part of an earthing upgrade, so the new equipment is not connected to an inadequate supply side.
Why it can come before a new board
A new consumer unit has to be safe to energise. If the earthing or tails need work, that is done first, or in the same visit, which is why it can be an item on a board job. It is one of the two things that can change a board price, and it is always agreed in writing before we start.
The meter, and the cut-out beside it, belong to the network, not to you. Where the supply arrangement needs the network operator to attend, that is the other thing that can move a price or a date, and we tell you before the day.
What it costs
Upgraded earthing, covering the main earth and tails, is £125 as a fixed-price item. The power is off while it is done, so it is normally the same working day as a board change.
What it costs in London
Earthing is a single fixed-price item. Board work is priced by board size; everything else is the visit plus the items listed.
You need a new fuse boardinc VAT
Count the switches on your existing one.
A second board at the same address is £150 less. Two boards is £695 + £545 = £1,240 in one visit, and it is a tick when you book.
Individual circuit protection is an optional extra, £150, £300 or £450 by board size. No call-out charge on a board job.
You don't need a boardinc VAT
Everything else your report flagged.
That covers the visit, testing and the certificate. You then pay only for the items your report actually lists, priced in the next box.
The items themselvesinc VAT
The same price with or without a board.
On a board job the board already covers the attending, so there is no visit fee on top.
Every price includes VAT, materials, labour, full testing, a fresh satisfactory condition report and the completion pack.
That is the price, not a starting point. Only two things move it: an earthing arrangement that must be upgraded first, or a supply where the network operator has to attend. Both agreed in writing before we start.
What you get when the work is done
You should end up holding three things. A fresh Electrical Installation Condition Report for the property, marked satisfactory. Written confirmation that the observations on the original report have been addressed. And, for a rented property, a copy of both to give your tenant, with the council entitled to ask for them within seven days.
You do not normally need a whole new EICR. Written confirmation from whoever did the remedial work is what resolves the report. We issue that as a completion pack, with the observation schedule, the certificate, the signed confirmation and your tenant and council letters already drafted.
Getting a second price is normal
The firm that inspected your property is entitled to quote for the remedial work, and plenty do a fair job of it. But the regulations ask for a qualified and competent person, not a particular company, so you are free to go elsewhere. If you want a price from someone with no involvement in how your report was coded, that is what we do.
Find out whether the earthing or the board comes first
Send the report for a fixed written price within 60 minutes. We tell you if the earthing has to be done before a new consumer unit, and which observations you are not legally required to fix.
Related
Every EICR code explained
C1, C2, C3 and FI, and which of them actually make your report fail.
Bonding to gas and water
Missing or undersized main bonding, and the quick fix.
C2: no RCD protection
The most common reason an EICR fails in London, explained, with fixed prices.
Managing a portfolio?
Inspections and remedials on one account, one invoice, evidence filed per property.
Questions landlords ask
Is earthing the same as bonding?
No. Earthing connects the installation to the earth of the supply. Bonding connects the metal gas and water pipes to the main earthing terminal. Reports often flag both together.
Will I lose power while it is done?
Yes, the supply is off while the main earth and tails are changed. For a flat or a house it is normally part of one working day, and we agree the date with your tenant if you prefer.
Does every new consumer unit need an earthing upgrade?
No. Only when the existing earthing is missing, undersized or cannot be confirmed. We check when we price from your report, and tell you in writing if it is needed.