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Receiving an Unsatisfactory result on your EICR can feel alarming. Before you worry, it helps to understand exactly what it means — and what happens next.

An EICR doesn’t technically “pass” or “fail.” It returns one of two results: Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. An Unsatisfactory result means the electrician identified at least one C1 or C2 observation — issues that require remedial action before the installation can be certified as safe. It doesn’t mean your home is about to burn down. It means specific faults were found that need fixing.

This article explains the practical steps following an Unsatisfactory result: what the observation codes mean in terms of urgency, how quickly you need to act, what the remedial process looks like, and what happens once the work is done.

For a full explanation of how to read your EICR certificate and what each code means on the document itself, see our dedicated guide: Understanding Your EICR Certificate →

How Urgent Is It? Understanding C1, C2, and C3

The urgency of remedial work depends entirely on which observation codes appear on your report.

C1 — Danger present, immediate action required. A C1 observation means there is an immediate risk of injury or death. This is rare, but when it occurs the electrician is obliged to make the installation safe before leaving site — typically by isolating the affected circuit. If you receive a C1, remedial work should be arranged as a priority. Do not use the affected circuits until the issue is resolved.

C2 — Potentially dangerous, urgent remedial work needed. C2 observations indicate a fault that could become dangerous under certain conditions. There is no legally prescribed timeframe for homeowners, but C2 issues should not be left indefinitely. For landlords, the regulations require C2 faults to be remedied within 28 days of the inspection — for a full breakdown of your legal obligations, see our EICR for Landlords: Complete Compliance Guide.

C3 — Improvement recommended. A C3 observation does not make your report Unsatisfactory. These are recommendations rather than failures. However, if your report contains only C3 observations, it will still return as Satisfactory — so if you’ve received an Unsatisfactory result, there will be at least one C1 or C2 present.

FI — Further investigation required. An FI means the electrician couldn’t fully assess a part of the installation — often due to inaccessible wiring or concealed work. Investigation is needed before the installation can be fully assessed.

Do You Have to Use the Same Electrician?

No. You are under no obligation to use the electrician who carried out the EICR for the remedial work. The report belongs to you. Any competent, registered electrician can review your EICR and carry out the work identified.

That said, there are practical advantages to using the same firm. They already know the property, have seen the installation first-hand, and can move straight to remedial work without a preliminary visit. At Farthing Electrical, if we carry out your EICR and find issues, we’ll quote the remedial work separately with no obligation — and you’re free to get other quotes.

What Does the Remedial Process Look Like?

Once you have your EICR report, the next step is straightforward.

1. Review the observations with your electrician. Go through each C1 and C2 observation. A good electrician will explain in plain language what was found, why it matters, and what’s involved in fixing it. Beware of vague explanations or pressure to agree to extensive work without a clear breakdown.

2. Receive a fixed quote for remedial work. Remedial work is priced separately from the EICR inspection. Costs vary considerably depending on what was found — a loose connection at a socket costs very little to rectify; a wiring fault inside a ceiling void takes considerably longer. Get a clear, itemised quote before agreeing to anything.

3. Book and complete the work. Most minor-to-moderate remedial work is completed in a single visit. More complex issues — particularly those involving older wiring or inaccessible circuits — may require more time or a follow-up appointment.

4. Re-inspection and updated certification. Once all C1 and C2 observations have been rectified, a re-inspection of the affected circuits is carried out and a new Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) or updated EICR is issued. This confirms the installation is now Satisfactory.

Will a Failed EICR Affect My Property Sale or Insurance?

Potentially, yes — but remediating the issues removes the problem entirely.

If you’re selling your property, solicitors and buyers may request to see your EICR. An Unsatisfactory report can prompt price negotiations or a requirement to remedy issues before exchange. Getting the remedial work done and obtaining an updated Satisfactory certificate resolves this cleanly.

On the insurance side, some insurers include electrical safety compliance clauses in their policies. An outstanding Unsatisfactory EICR could, in theory, affect a claim if it can be shown the property had known electrical faults. Completing the remedial work removes this exposure.

What If I Disagree with the EICR Findings?

EICR inspections involve professional judgement, and second opinions are entirely legitimate. If observations seem disproportionate or unclear, you can commission a second EICR from a different registered electrician. Both should work to the same standard — BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 — so significant discrepancies between reports are worth querying with both inspectors.

Next Steps

If you’ve received an Unsatisfactory EICR result and need remedial work in Solihull or the surrounding area, call Farthing Electrical. We’ll review your report, explain exactly what’s needed, and provide a clear fixed quote — with no obligation.

Call 0121 674 4014

Related Reading

• EICR Solihull: Complete Guide to Electrical Installation Condition Reports
• Why It’s Important to Have an EICR Carried Out
• How Much Does an EICR Cost in Solihull? 2026 Pricing Guide
• Understanding Your EICR Certificate: What Does It Actually Mean?
• EICR for Landlords in Solihull: Complete Compliance Guide

References

1. The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/312/contents/made
2. NICEIC. (2024). Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs). Available at: https://niceic.com/householders/electrical-services/electrical-installation-condition-reports/
3. IET. BS 7671:2018 — About BS 7671, IET Wiring Regulations. Available at: https://electrical.theiet.org/bs-7671/about-bs-7671/