When electrical work is done properly, you should always get paperwork to prove it — not because of bureaucracy, but because it protects you. One of the most important documents is the Electrical Installation Certificate, often called an EIC.
If you’ve recently had electrical work done at your home or business in Basingstoke, Oakley, or Overton, you might already have one. If not, here’s what it is, why it matters, and when you should expect to receive it.
What is an Electrical Installation Certificate?
An Electrical Installation Certificate is an official document issued by a qualified electrician after major electrical work has been carried out.
It confirms that the installation:
- Meets the current BS 7671 Wiring Regulations
- Has been fully tested and is safe for use
- Complies with UK safety and building standards
It’s essentially your electrical “proof of quality” — showing that the work was installed correctly, inspected, and tested before being handed over.
When do you need one?
You should receive an EIC whenever there’s significant electrical work or any change that creates a new circuit. Examples include:
- Installing a new consumer unit or fuse board
- Adding new circuits for appliances, machinery, or lighting
- Full or partial rewiring
- Commercial distribution board upgrades
- Solar PV and battery storage installations
If your electrician didn’t issue an EIC for one of these, it’s worth asking why. The absence of proper certification could become a problem later — particularly if you sell the property, make an insurance claim, or need evidence for compliance.
What information does it contain?
A genuine Electrical Installation Certificate should include:
- The name and registration details of the electrician or company
- The address where the work was done
- A description of the installation work
- Results of insulation resistance, polarity, and earth fault loop tests
- Details of protective devices (breakers, fuses, RCDs)
- Signatures confirming design, installation, and inspection
It’s not just a formality. Those test results prove the installation was safe and functioning correctly when the work was completed.
What about Building Regulations and Part P?
For domestic properties in England and Wales, most new circuits, consumer unit replacements, or work in special locations (such as bathrooms) must also comply with Part P of the Building Regulations.
If your electrician is registered with NICEIC, NAPIT, or another Competent Person Scheme, they’ll notify building control on your behalf. You’ll then receive a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate in the post within a few weeks.
This is separate from your EIC — and both are important. Together, they prove the work was done safely and legally.
Why the certificate matters
Think of the certificate as your insurance policy for the work. It protects you by showing:
- The work meets UK safety standards
- It was tested by a qualified, competent person
- The installation was safe and complete at the time of issue
Without it, you have no formal proof that the work complies with regulations. That can create real issues when selling a home or renewing business insurance.
For landlords and business owners, it’s also evidence that you’ve met your duty of care to tenants, staff, and visitors.
How GU Solutions handles certification
At GU Solutions, every project — from a small office in Chineham to a rural property near Whitchurch or a retail unit in Alton — is fully tested, inspected, and certified before we sign it off.
As NICEIC Approved Contractors, we issue all the correct documentation, explain what it means, and keep a digital copy for your records.
Whether we’re upgrading your lighting, installing solar panels, or fitting out an industrial unit, you’ll always have complete peace of mind that your electrics are safe, compliant, and properly certified.
Book your next electrical installation or inspection
If you’re planning new electrical work in Basingstoke, Oakley, Overton, Bramley, Whitchurch, Alton, or any nearby area, make sure you work with a contractor who certifies their work properly.
Call GU Solutions on 01256 473326 or send us a message to book your electrical installation, inspection, or certification check.
We’ll carry out the work safely, issue the right certificates, and make sure everything is done by the book — first time, every time.
Because in electrical work, proper paperwork isn’t optional — it’s part of doing the job right.
