DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
How to get honest quotes for a consumer unit change
A fuse board change is one of those jobs where quotes can look wildly different, and it pays to understand why before you pick one. The gap usually comes down to what's included, not the electrician's day rate. Get the quotes right and you avoid nasty mid-job extras, then compare them with the real prices on this page.
The quick version
- Cheap quotes that skip testing can cost more once faults appear halfway through the job.
- Only a registered electrician can certify the work under Part P, so ask for their scheme number before you book.
- A good quote separates the board swap from any likely remedial work so you see both figures, not one blended number.
- Get three quotes so you can spot who has priced testing properly and who has not.
- The cheapest quote and the most honest quote are rarely the same one. Read what's excluded, not just the total.
- A quote that mentions circuit testing, RCBOs or surge protection by name is usually written by someone who has actually looked at your board, not just guessed from the doorstep.
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
The main reason consumer unit quotes differ is how each electrician handles testing and faults. One assumes the wiring is sound and prices a simple swap. Another allows time to test and flag problems, which reads as dearer on the page but is the more honest number, because most homes throw up at least something once you start testing old circuits. The quality of the board, the number of circuits it protects, and whether surge protection is fitted also move the figure, and a bigger house with more circuits simply needs a bigger board and more RCBOs. Who you book matters too. A sole trader working from a van has lower overheads than a larger firm with an office and a fleet, and that shows up in the quote, though it says nothing on its own about the standard of work. Regional labour rates play a part as well, with quotes in and around big cities generally running higher than in smaller towns, purely because rent and wages cost more there. A quote with no mention of testing or certification is the one to be wary of, not the one that comes in a bit higher.
How to pay less
- Ask each electrician to price the swap and note likely extras separately, so nothing hides in a single lump sum.
- Get three quotes from Part P registered electricians and check the certificate is included in the price, not billed on top.
- Book it alongside other jobs like extra sockets or a shower circuit to spread the call-out cost across more work.
- Put the deposit on a credit card for Section 75 cover if anything goes wrong or the job is left unfinished.
- Ask for a fixed price on the board and circuits as found, with a separate hourly or fixed rate for anything extra, so a small fault does not turn into an open-ended bill.
- Push back on any quote that is vague about the number of circuits or the type of board. A precise quote means someone actually counted.
Common questions
Why is one consumer unit quote half the price of another?
The cheap one has probably left out testing or assumed no faults. When the wiring turns out to need work, that low quote climbs and you end up paying more than the honest quote would have cost. The dearer quote may already allow for it. Always check what testing and certification each one includes before you compare the totals side by side.
How do I know an electrician is registered?
Ask which scheme they belong to, such as NICEIC or NAPIT, and for their registration number. You can check it on the scheme's website before you book anything. A registered electrician can self-certify a consumer unit change under Part P, which saves you the cost and hassle of a separate building control sign-off.
Should I get the wiring checked before replacing the board?
It is a smart move. An inspection tells you the state of your circuits before anyone quotes, so faults are known up front rather than found mid-job. It makes the quotes you get far more accurate, and it stops a fixed-price job turning into a running total once the old cables come out.
What should be included in a proper consumer unit quote?
Look for the board itself, labour, testing of existing circuits, the certificate, and any obvious extras like additional RCBOs or surge protection listed by name. If a quote is just one number with no breakdown, ask the electrician to split it out so you can see what you're actually paying for.
Is it worth paying more for surge protection?
It depends on what's already in your home and what the electrician recommends after looking at your circuits, but it is worth asking every electrician the same question so you can compare like for like. If one quote includes it and another does not, that difference alone can explain a chunk of the price gap.
Can I be left without power during the changeover?
Yes, a consumer unit change means the power has to come off while the old board comes out and the new one goes in, so ask each electrician how long they expect that to take and plan around it. A clear answer here is another sign you're dealing with someone who has done the job properly before, rather than someone estimating on the spot.