DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
Consumer unit replacement cost: fuse board change UK
Swapping an old fuse board for a modern consumer unit is a common upgrade, often prompted by a safety concern or a home sale. It is a smaller job than a rewire, but the price still moves with the number of circuits and any faults found along the way. The real prices below come from actual prices to give you a realistic yardstick.
The quick version
- A consumer unit change is far cheaper than a full rewire but still needs a registered electrician.
- The work must meet Part P building regulations and comes with testing and a certificate.
- The number of circuits and whether extra protective devices are needed affects the price.
- If testing uncovers faults in the existing wiring, putting them right adds to the cost.
What people actually paid
Real prices, in people's own words
- £350“I had one done in a similarly expensive area to you for £350, 8 way dual RCD”
- £545“cost £545.00”
- £600“They did not change circuit board just upgraded the individual circuit breakers required. Came in at around £600”
- £1,500“his was £1500 12way RCBO - in 2023”
Genuine amounts posted publicly. We publish the price and the quote, never the person.
Why the price varies so much
On paper a consumer unit swap is straightforward, but a few things move the price. The number of circuits in your home sets how big the board needs to be and how much labour is involved. Modern units include RCD or RCBO protection, and the spec you need can nudge the cost up. The bigger variable is what the electrician finds when they test; older wiring sometimes throws up faults that must be fixed before a new board can be signed off. Because the job must meet Part P building regulations and be certified by a registered electrician, and because a national firm usually quotes above a local one, quotes can differ quite a bit for what sounds like the same task.
How to pay less
- Get quotes from two or three registered electricians and check each includes testing and certification.
- Ask up front what happens, and what it costs, if faults are found during testing.
- Bundle the consumer unit change with other electrical work to save on separate call-out charges.
- Choose a qualified local electrician over a national brand, which usually quotes higher for the same job.
Common questions
Do I legally need a certificate for a new fuse board?
Yes. Replacing a consumer unit is notifiable work that must meet Part P building regulations and be done by a competent, registered electrician. They issue an installation certificate once it is tested and signed off. Keep this paperwork for insurance and for any future sale of the home.
Why is my consumer unit quote higher than expected?
Often it is because testing revealed faults in the existing wiring that must be corrected before the new board can be certified. The number of circuits and the type of protective devices also matter. The real prices below show typical jobs so you can spot when a quote looks out of line.
How long does a consumer unit change take?
Most swaps are completed within a day, including testing. If the electrician finds wiring faults that need fixing before sign-off, it can take longer. Your power will be off for part of the day, so plan around that, especially if you work from home.