How to generate an EICR from WhatsApp.

Why electrical contractors run EICRs over WhatsApp

The EICR is the single most repetitive document a UK electrical firm produces. Periodic inspections, change-of-tenancy checks, post-fault condition reports — the same question set, in the same order, across many properties a year. The data capture is fine on site. The problem is the write-up: the engineer drives back, transcribes their notebook into a Word template, attaches photos one by one, and emails it to the client days later.

WhatsApp closes the loop in real time. The engineer answers each circuit question in the chat as they walk the property. Photos go straight into the right field. The PDF is generated automatically once the engineer submits the final answer, the dashboard flags any C1, C2 or FI codes immediately, and the qualifying electrician reviews and signs from any browser. The notebook-to-Word step is gone.

The workflow, step by step

1. Job is booked. The address goes into the dashboard with the property type (domestic, commercial, HMO) and the EICR template variant selected.
2. Engineer arrives on site. They open WhatsApp on the phone they already use. The first question — typically the earthing arrangement — lands automatically.
3. Circuit-by-circuit capture. Each circuit is its own micro-conversation: type, length, RCD trip times at IΔn and 5x IΔn, photo of the board, free-text observations. The engineer can reply by text or voice note. Voice notes are transcribed.
4. Codes are flagged live. If the engineer reports a C1, C2 or FI code, it appears on the dashboard the moment they hit send. The office can ring the customer the same hour rather than waiting for the report.
5. PDF generation. When the engineer marks the inspection complete, the EICR PDF is produced from the data automatically. The format is built from your firm's existing EICR template during onboarding.
6. Sign-off. The qualifying electrician reviews the PDF in any browser, edits if needed, and signs. The signed PDF goes to the customer; an unsigned copy stays in the dashboard with the full audit trail.

What the engineer sees

They see WhatsApp. The same conversation interface they already use every day. No app to install, no login to forget, no menus to learn. Each question is a normal message; each reply is a normal reply.

How it compares to paper

No transcription, no lost notebooks, photos linked automatically to the question they answer, codes flagged in real time instead of next morning, full audit trail.

For honest comparison against other tools, see where Quickler fits and where it does not.

What it costs

Pricing is per firm, not per engineer. Starter is £50 per month (one engineer, three workflows). Team is £100 per month (four engineers, five workflows). For an established electrical firm running EICRs as one of several workflows, Business at £140 per month (twelve engineers, eight workflows) is typically the right fit. Pay annually for ten per cent off. Full pricing.

There is no setup fee. Setup to first live EICR usually takes under a week. Start a free trial.

Frequently asked questions

Who signs the final EICR?

The qualifying electrician, exactly as on paper. Quickler captures the data and produces the PDF; it does not sign anything itself. Every response, photo and timestamp is stored against the job so the evidence chain is intact.

Does the engineer have to answer every question?

The engineer can reply "skip" or "n/a" to any non-required field and move on.

How are photos handled?

Each photo question expects an image attached to the WhatsApp reply. The photo is linked to that question in the record and stored against the job.

Does Quickler need a Twilio account or Meta Business account?

No. Quickler runs the WhatsApp Business API integration on the customer's behalf. The contractor provides only their company details and the engineer phone numbers.