Competitive pricing for Domestic EICR's. Why so low?

I know of one company who do council houses in London and have specialised in this sector for 20 years. 


They'll do an EICR for like £50.(Plus VAT)


When I asked how is that possible?


They'll do maybe 10 - 15 flats a day per tester - every flat and/or house is right next door to each other and every electrical system is the same. 


The first flat takes a small while to write up the circuits (probably no more than 6 circuits, maybe 4 circuits) and cable sizes in the DB. Check the bonding. Do maybe 4 Zs checks on the only existing 4 circuits. 


Move onto the second flat - quick check of the DB - and ensure its the same, copy and paste the results of the first flat and do 4 Zs checks. 


Move on. 


In theory I cant really argue with this, but in practice it means that the accepted cost per circuit is £12.5 or less and when some office numpty is considering who to give contracts to for any job, this is the figure he'll refer to for a guidance on costs. 


Now I certainly don't do occupied council houses because I hate the work - but I'd do a police station or council offices if it was offered to me. I could not - in any way shape or form - compete on that unit rate. I'd need double that on a much larger installation. 


How could I compete? On simple installations like small flats - Well I'd get my apprentice or any number of apprentices on less than £100 per day to form fill and basic checks. Type of MCB, size of MCB. How many circuits. check bonding visually and do a few Zs checks.


So I think this is what happens in reality. 


They certainly seem to do very well out of it.

I know of one company who do council houses in London and have specialised in this sector for 20 years. 


They'll do an EICR for like £50.(Plus VAT)


When I asked how is that possible?


They'll do maybe 10 - 15 flats a day per tester - every flat and/or house is right next door to each other and every electrical system is the same. 


The first flat takes a small while to write up the circuits (probably no more than 6 circuits, maybe 4 circuits) and cable sizes in the DB. Check the bonding. Do maybe 4 Zs checks on the only existing 4 circuits. 


Move onto the second flat - quick check of the DB - and ensure its the same, copy and paste the results of the first flat and do 4 Zs checks. 


Move on. 


In theory I cant really argue with this, but in practice it means that the accepted cost per circuit is £12.5 or less and when some office numpty is considering who to give contracts to for any job, this is the figure he'll refer to for a guidance on costs. 


Now I certainly don't do occupied council houses because I hate the work - but I'd do a police station or council offices if it was offered to me. I could not - in any way shape or form - compete on that unit rate. I'd need double that on a much larger installation. 


How could I compete? On simple installations like small flats - Well I'd get my apprentice or any number of apprentices on less than £100 per day to form fill and basic checks. Type of MCB, size of MCB. How many circuits. check bonding visually and do a few Zs checks.


So I think this is what happens in reality. 


They certainly seem to do very well out of it.