If you are planning to buy a new home in Wigan this spring, you are probably buried in paperwork. Between solicitors, mortgage offers, and surveys, it can be overwhelming.
One question we get asked constantly at PW Electrical is: “I’ve already paid for a Homebuyer Report. Do I really need an electrician to check the property too?”
The short answer is yes. And understanding the difference could save you thousands of pounds in unexpected rewiring costs.
The “Homebuyer Report” (The General GP)
When you buy a house, you usually commission a RICS Homebuyer Report. Think of your surveyor as a General Practitioner (GP). They look at the general health of the house—the roof, the damp course, the walls.
When it comes to electricity, however, they perform a visual check only.
- They look at the visible sockets and switches.
- They might note if the consumer unit looks old.
- Crucially, they do not remove screws, do not test the cables inside the walls, and do not verify whether the safety devices actually work.
If the electrics “look” okay, the surveyor might tick the box. But as we know, dangerous wiring can look perfectly fine from the outside.
The EICR (The Specialist Surgeon)
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a deep-dive inspection carried out by a qualified electrician (like us).
Unlike the surveyor, we physically test the system against BS 7671 (18th Edition) regulations. We inject test voltages into the circuits to measure readings that tell us the true condition of the cables hidden under the floorboards of that Victorian terrace in Chorley or that 1970s semi in Coppull.
An EICR will tell you:
- If the circuits are overloaded.
- If there are potential electric shock risks.
- If the earthing is adequate (vital for safety).
- If there has been any “DIY bodging” by the previous owner.
The “Wigan Special”: Why Local Knowledge Matters
In our area, we have a lot of specific housing stock that carries common risks.
- Standish & Appley Bridge: We often see 1970s properties that still have the original wiring. Rubber-insulated cables from this era degrade and crumble, often requiring a full rewire. A surveyor won’t spot this; an EICR will.
- Wigan Town Centre: Older terraces often have “borrowed neutrals” on the lighting circuits—a headache that is tricky to fix without major work.
The Verdict
If your Homebuyer Report comes back with a line saying “Electrical system appears dated; professional inspection recommended,” do not ignore it.
An EICR typically costs a fraction of the price of a rewire. If we find faults, you can use our report to negotiate the house price down to cover the repair costs. If we find it’s safe, you move in with total peace of mind.
Don’t buy a money pit. Know what you are buying before you exchange contracts.
Buying a home in Wigan? Book your pre-purchase EICR today. Call PW Electrical on 01257 402 004 or contact us online at pwelec.co.uk.
Serving Standish, Wigan, Chorley, and the surrounding areas.
