An unsatisfactory EICR has landed on the desk. The report flags faults across the installation, the insurer or head office is asking questions, and the next call you make determines how quickly the site gets back to compliance. Our engineers deal with this situation every week across commercial properties of all sizes, and the first move matters more than most people realise. Getting the remedial works right, with the right contractor and the right certification, closes the loop properly and avoids a second round of questions later.
What Are EICR Remedial Works?
EICR remedial works cover any repair, replacement, or corrective work carried out to resolve the faults identified in an Electrical Installation Condition Report. The aim is to bring the electrical installation back into a safe and compliant condition.
The scope varies depending on what the inspection finds. At one end, it could be a single socket replacement or a missing earth connection. At the other, it could mean replacing a consumer unit, upgrading circuit protection, or rewiring sections of an older commercial installation that no longer meet current standards.
What the remedial works look like on your site depends entirely on the observation codes recorded in the report. The codes tell you what was found, how serious it is, and how quickly you need to act.
Which EICR Codes Require Remedial Works?
FI (Further Investigation Required) means the engineer has identified something during the inspection that could not be fully assessed on site and needs further inspection to determine its condition. The further investigation confirms whether the issue amounts to a C1, C2 or C3 finding, and the appropriate remedial action then follows from that outcome.
C1 (Danger Present) means there is an immediate risk of injury. The inspecting engineer should take action to make the situation safe at the time of the inspection, with your permission. Full remedial works to permanently resolve the fault must follow as a top priority.
C2 (Potentially Dangerous) means the fault is not an immediate threat but could become one under certain conditions. Remedial works are required as a matter of urgency to bring the installation back to a safe standard.
FI (Further Investigation Required) means the engineer has identified something that could not be fully assessed during the inspection. Further investigation is needed to confirm whether a C1, C2 or C3 fault exists. Until that investigation is complete, the report remains unsatisfactory.
C3 (Improvement Recommended) identifies a non-compliance with current wiring regulations that is not considered dangerous. A C3 alone does not make the report unsatisfactory. However, if you already have C1 or C2 work being carried out, it is worth addressing any C3 items at the same time. Getting them done in the same visit avoids a separate callout later.
Any report containing a C1, C2 or FI code is classified as unsatisfactory. That is the trigger for remedial works.
How Long Do You Have to Complete EICR Remedial Works?
There is a common misconception that you have 28 days to complete EICR remedial works. That 28-day window applies specifically to residential landlords under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. It does not apply to commercial properties.
In commercial settings, there is no single fixed statutory deadline. What does apply is your duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. Both place a clear obligation on the duty holder to act on known electrical faults.
In practical terms, C1 findings must be made safe immediately, and the permanent fix should follow as quickly as it can be arranged. C2 findings must be actioned as a matter of urgency, which typically means getting the work booked in and completed without unnecessary delay.
The longer remedial works remain outstanding, the greater the exposure. If an incident occurs on site while known faults are still unresolved, an insurer may challenge any claim, and the duty holder’s position under health and safety legislation becomes much harder to defend. Acting promptly is not just good practice, it is what the law expects.
Do I Need Another EICR After Remedial Work?
No. You do not receive a new EICR after remedial works are completed. This is one of the most common questions we get from facilities managers and compliance leads holding an unsatisfactory report.
Once the remedial works are finished, you receive either an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) or a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC), depending on the scope of the work carried out. An EIC covers more substantial work such as new circuits or consumer unit replacements. A MEIWC covers smaller repairs like replacing a socket or correcting a wiring fault.
This certificate is held alongside your original EICR as proof that the identified faults have been rectified. Together, the two documents show that the installation was inspected, the faults were recorded, and the corrective work was carried out and certified. That is the complete compliance trail.
Book Your EICR Remedial Works with Hawkesworth
We can quote remedial works directly from your existing EICR, whether we carried out the original EICR inspection or not. Our 200+ City and Guilds certified, DBS-checked engineers work across commercial sites of all sizes, from single offices to multi-site portfolios across the UK and Ireland, with out-of-hours and weekend availability at no extra charge.
Once the work is complete, we issue the correct certification so you have the full compliance trail on file. A company like Hawkesworth can take the report off your desk and return a compliant installation.
Request a quote and we will get back to you.
Michael Kiddle
Managing Director of Hawkesworth and a nationally recognised leader in electrical and fire safety, Michael (GIFireE) directs one of the UK's leading compliance companies, safeguarding thousands of businesses each year. Through his voluntary Safe Home Initiative, he has identified and removed thousands of dangerous household appliances from vulnerable people's homes, replacing each one with a safe alternative free of charge.
