A 12-site portfolio EICR doesn’t fail on the testing — it fails on the calendar. The work itself is repeatable; the scheduling is where the relationship between FM and contractor breaks down. Here’s the framework that keeps a rollout on track without shutting the building.
Stock-by-stock survey before scheduling
The biggest scheduling mistake is treating every site as equivalent. Before any wave plan, run a pre-survey across the portfolio capturing:
- Number of circuits per site (drives test duration).
- Site occupancy pattern — 24/7, 9-5, mixed.
- Critical tenants who can’t tolerate a planned isolation (servers, refrigeration, healthcare).
- Known C2/C3 carry-forwards from the previous EICR — these need remedials time built in.
- Access constraints — security clearance, key-holder availability, asbestos surveys.
The pre-survey turns “12 sites, 5-yearly” into a tiered list: 3 sites need out-of-hours, 4 need split-shift, 5 can run normal hours.
Building a wave plan that respects tenants
A workable wave plan groups sites by what they share, not by geography. A practical structure:
- Wave 1 (weeks 1–3): Voids and low-occupancy sites — fastest, lowest risk, builds the documentation pattern.
- Wave 2 (weeks 4–7): Standard-occupancy commercial sites — split-shift testing where needed.
- Wave 3 (weeks 8–10): Critical-tenant sites — out-of-hours, twin-engineer attendance, pre-agreed isolation windows.
- Wave 4 (weeks 11–12): Remedials clearance from waves 1–3 + any deferred testing.
The 5-yearly cycle pivots on wave 1 of the next cycle starting before wave 4 of this cycle finishes — that’s the cadence that survives.
Tenant notification templates
The single thing that turns a tenant complaint into a tenant relationship is a notification template that’s clear, timely and consistent. The minimum:
- 14 days before: Initial notice — date window, scope, expected duration, primary contact.
- 7 days before: Reminder with confirmed date and engineer name.
- Day of: Arrival call 30 minutes ahead, isolation timing confirmed.
- Day after: Completion summary, any remedials raised, next-step timing.
Tenants don’t object to the disruption; they object to surprise disruption. A consistent template removes the surprise.
Out-of-hours options — where premiums apply
Some sites can only be tested out-of-hours. The premium pricing structure should be transparent up-front:
- Evening (18:00–22:00): Mild premium, suits retail and most office.
- Overnight (22:00–06:00): Higher premium, suits hospitality and critical tenants.
- Weekend: Standard-rate alternative, suits non-24/7 commercial.
- Bank holiday: Avoid where possible — premium plus engineer availability risk.
The premium should be quoted per site, in writing, before the wave plan is signed off. Surprise out-of-hours billing kills FM relationships.
Documentation handover at each wave
The wave-end handover is the discipline that compounds across the cycle. Per wave:
- EICR per site, NICEIC-branded and signed.
- Circuit register per site.
- Remedials log — open, target date, owner.
- Tenant comms file — notifications, attendance, completion.
- Wave summary memo — what was found, what’s deferred, what’s next.
The wave summary is the document the FM hands to the insurer or the asset manager. If it doesn’t exist, the EICR programme is invisible above the contractor relationship.
What to do next
If you’re scoping a multi-site EICR programme across a Leeds, Wakefield or Harrogate portfolio, JP Electrical & EV Solutions can run the pre-survey, build the wave plan and deliver the documentation as standard. NICEIC-approved, Part P compliant, Leeds-based team, available 24/7 for in-flight C1 remedials.
Book a portfolio scheduling call or request a free, no-obligation quote via our commercial property electrical services page, or read more about our EICR testing service in Leeds.
FAQ
How long does an EICR take per site?
A small commercial site (10–20 circuits) typically takes a half-day. A large multi-circuit site with extensive distribution can take 2–3 days. The pre-survey gives a defensible time-per-site for the wave plan.
Can EICR testing be done while the building is occupied?
Most of it, yes — circuits are isolated one at a time, not the whole supply. Tenants experience short, planned outages on individual circuits. Critical-tenant zones need out-of-hours scheduling.
What’s the contractor’s responsibility for remedials clearance?
The contractor is responsible for technical execution and certification of the cleared work. The asset manager authorises spend and sign-off. Both parties hold a copy of the remedials log; it’s not a single-party document.