Do I really need an electrics survey/test?

[sunnyday2025]

Wonder if someone can advise me. Have agreed a sale on a house and had a full survey conducted.

The report comes with a recommendation for a full electrical test. However I’m a little sceptical as it was only bult in 2000, with one owner from new who hasn’t touched electrics. Appreciate that as and when I make changes to the house the electrics will be part of that but at this point I’m can’t see the need for a full test.

am I missing something or is the surveyor just covering his arse? I could pay £500 for an electrician to
come in and be told electrics aren’t fully up to date with latest regs. It wouldn’t be telling me anything new!

An EICR test will cost less than £100.

It's recommended to have one every 10 years, though of course many don't, I include myself in that but yes I would expect to have to get one.

I see it's something you are buying not selling so up to you really.

Surveyors often recommend these things to cover their backsides. My survey had a lot of ‘it looks ok, but recommend you get x,y,z test done’ for various things.

Personally I wouldn’t bother for a house of that age.

I wouldn't be overly worried about electrics of that age and wouldn't get them tested. However, it's always wise to be aware there could be something that's not quite right in all parts of a new house and if you have any concerns when you move in, get them checked.

I would just do it for the sake of peace of mind. Will cost around £150ish.

Surveyors always suggest this to cover themselves but it’s not expensive - we paid £85 IIRC.

You don't need one (unless you are planning a rental I think). Question is whether you want one.

Just because house electrics are not that old doesn't mean they are OK. Shoddy DIY and build quality means they may be awful.

The question is more about whether you want peace of mind rather than with an older house where it might be more about learning in advance the potential cost of expensive rewires.

I believe that these are standard recommendations in every survey. The surveyors will not inspect electrics, plumbing, heating, so they will recommend for separate inspections. Did you get a recommendation for each of these or was the suggestion specifically aimed at the electrics? Might be worth, in that case, contacting the surveyor and checking why the emphasis on that. If there's any specific reason they think it might conceal an issue.

That said, I didn't bother with one myself because our sellers had a certificate from 7 years ago, so I'll just have another in a few years time. Hope this helps.