Is My Home Ready for an EV Charger? Installation Checklist UK 2026

Before you buy a charger or book an installation, it's worth checking whether your home meets the basic requirements. Most UK homes can have a charger installed, but a few need upgrades first. Work through this checklist to find out.

Home Readiness Checklist

Do you have off-street parking?A driveway, garage, or allocated parking space where you can mount a charger and park your car within cable reach (typically 5-7 metres).

Is your property freehold or do you have landlord permission?Freeholders can install without permission. Leaseholders and renters need written consent from the freeholder/landlord.

Do you know your main fuse rating?Look at the main service fuse where the supply enters the house, not the consumer unit. 100A is common and 60A or 80A is not unusual on older properties. A lower rating does not rule out a 7kW charger — it makes load management, or a supply upgrade, part of the conversation. Your installer works this out properly; the point here is to know the number before you get quotes.

Is your consumer unit (fuse box) in good condition?Modern RCD-protected consumer units with spare ways are ideal. Old-style fuse boxes with rewirable fuses may need replacing (£300-500).

Can you run a cable from your fuse box to the parking area?Shorter runs are cheaper. Most standard installation packages include a set length, often around 10 to 15 metres, and charge extra beyond it; longer runs may also need a larger cable to hold the voltage drop within limits. There is no fixed cut-off, so measure the route and give the figure to every installer you ask, or you will be comparing quotes for different jobs. External cable should be in protective trunking.

Is your property NOT a listed building?Listed buildings may need Listed Building Consent for external charger installation. Check with your local planning authority.

Is your electrical earthing up to standard?This is your installer's job, not yours. Where the supply is PME, the installation has to deal with the open-PEN risk: some chargers have protection built in, and where they do not, an earth rod is the usual answer, typically £100–£150 extra. Ask which route the installer is quoting for, because it changes the price.

Tick the items above to see your readiness status

Not sure about your electrical supply?

Your installer will do a full survey before installation. The main things that could add cost are: consumer unit replacement (£300-500), earth rod installation (£100-150), long cable runs (£15-25 per extra metre), or DNO supply upgrade for 3-phase (£1,500-3,000). Most 7kW installations need none of these.

What Happens Next?

Wall-mounted home EV charger on a brick pier between two garage doors

The end goal: a tidy wall-mounted charger close to your parking spot and consumer unit.

Choose your charger. See our Best EV Chargers guide
Get quotes from OZEV-approved installers. Check Checkatrade or MyBuilder
Installer visits for survey. Usually free, takes 30-60 minutes
Installation day, typically 2-4 hours, charger mounted and connected
DNO notification. Your installer handles this automatically

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my property will not take a fixed wallbox?

There are two portable routes worth pricing before you give up on home charging. A granny charger runs from an ordinary 3-pin socket at about 2.3kW, which suits low mileage. A commando charger plugs into a blue 32A CEE socket and reaches up to 7.4kW, so if a garage or workshop already has one, or an electrician can add one, you get wallbox speed without a wallbox.

Do I need planning permission for an EV charger?

Usually not. A wallbox at a house is generally permitted development in England, subject to conditions on size and position, with tighter rules near a highway. Listed buildings and conservation areas are the common exception, and the rules differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Flats and shared buildings raise separate freeholder questions. Check with your local planning department if there is any doubt — it is a free phone call.

What electrical supply do I need for an EV charger?

Most UK homes with a standard 100A single-phase supply can install a 7kW charger without any upgrade. If you want a faster charger (11kW or 22kW), you may need a three-phase supply upgrade, which costs £1,500-3,000 and requires your DNO's approval.

Can I install an EV charger if I rent?

You'll need your landlord's written permission to install a wall-mounted charger. However, you can use a standard 3-pin socket with a portable EVSE (granny charger) without any modifications.

Is My Home Ready for an EV Charger?

Home Readiness Checklist

Not sure about your electrical supply?

What Happens Next?

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my property will not take a fixed wallbox?

Do I need planning permission for an EV charger?

What electrical supply do I need for an EV charger?

Can I install an EV charger if I rent?

Related Guides

EV Charger Installation Costs

EV Charger Grants UK

Which EV Charger Do I Need?