Fuseboard Changes

Are you worried the fuse box in your house is too old and no longer complies with electrical UK regulations? Is it time to replace it with a more modern consumer unit? How long is it going to take and more specifically, how much is it going to cost?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to upgrade my Fuseboard?

The costs of replacing a fuse box or upgrading a consumer unit to a more recent one can vary greatly as it will depend on many factors such as:

  • What type of board you require?
  • How many circuits you have/require?
  • How old you current fuseboard is?
A typical replacement (Labour and part) will cost between £600 - £870* and will include:
  • A Consumer unit installed with RCBO's (RCBO's allow each circuit to be put onto their own breaker, meaning if you have a fault somewhere down the line, only that one circuit will trip leaving everything else in your home in working order. RCBO's also help electrcians identify faults quicker - saving you time and money on call outs, if and when faults occur in the future)
  • NICEIC Electrical installation certificate and part P notification to building control
Please note if electrical issues are found within the property during our testing, we will notify you the client and there may be additional charges, we will do our best to resolve small ssues free of charge and bring anything else to your attention. *Rates are subject to VAT



How do I know if I should change my Board?

Basically speaking, any consumer unit without an RCD needs an upgrade. This doesn't always mean a whole new consumer unit is needed. Consumer units with wooden backs almost always need replacing as these can often date back to the 1950's – a lot has changed since then!



How long does a board change take?

Consumer Unit Upgrades can take from 3-6 hours on average.



How much would it cost?

This depends on what type of board you currently have, how many circuits you have/require and how old your current fuse board is. Prices generally range from £600 - £870* for a domestic board change. If you are still unsure please give us a call on 0203 995 4000 or email us at hello@ellieselectricians.com with a picture of your current board and we will let you know if your fuseboard needs changing and if so how much it will cost. *Rates are subject to VAT



What is the difference between a fuse board and a consumer unit?

Fusebox or fuse board were the old term (because they contained fuses) for what is now more commonly known as consumer unit. These more modern ones contain MCBs so are not 'fuse boards/boxes' but are sometimes incorrectly referred to as them.



How to check if your fusebox has RCD protection?

Look for a button with T or test on your consumer unit. This indicates if an RCD is present. Don't forget to press the button to make sure your RCD is working as it should be. If it does not activate (turn off your power) or you have any concerns about it, then get in touch and one of our registered electricians will be able to help/advise you.

Consumer units, like fire alarms, need to be tested regularly to ensure they are working as they should be. Remember they are there to protect you from electrical harm.