Consumer Unit Replacement Cost

Consumer Unit Replacement Cost Calculator

How Much to Replace a Consumer Unit?

How much does it cost to replace a consumer unit or fuse box?

The average consumer unit replacement cost in the UK is around £350 to £750, including materials and labour. Most homes require a 10-circuit consumer unit, which typically costs £470 to £650.

These prices usually include:

• Removal of the old fuse box or consumer unit.
• Supply and installation of a new consumer unit.
• Electrical testing of all circuits.
• An Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC).

How much would you be willing to pay for a new fusebox?

£100 to £200

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£200 to £300

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£300 to £500

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£500 to £750

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£750 to £1000

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Consumer unit replacement costs vary depending on the number of circuits required and the type of unit installed, and the size of your property. Larger homes typically need more circuits, which increases the size and price of the consumer unit.

Consumer Unit Replacement Cost by Number of Circuits

These prices are based on high-integrity consumer units rated at 100A, commonly used in UK homes. The number of circuits determines how many areas of your home are protected separately (e.g., lighting, sockets, kitchen appliances).

Consumer Unit Replacement Cost by Type

These prices are based on 100A consumer units with ten circuits unless stated otherwise, as not all of these can carry ten circuits.

If you're unsure which type of consumer unit your home has, read more about the types of consumer unit below to understand the different options.

Supply-Only Consumer Unit Prices

If you are buying the fuse box or consumer unit separately, supply-only prices are lower than the full consumer unit replacement cost. However, a consumer unit must still be installed and tested by a qualified electrician, so most homeowners will pay for both the unit and the installation.

The table below shows average supply-only prices for common consumer unit types.

Fuse Box Installer Cost

Below, we look at the labour fees a fuse box installer may charge to complete the job to a professional standard.

On average, a qualified electrician charges around £220 to £350 per day in labour fees (depending on your location). This is around £45 to £75 per hour, but for jobs such as replacing a fuse box, you are likely to be quoted a fixed price rather than an hourly or daily fee, as it is a relatively standard job.

Should you require an emergency electrician or outside of their normal working hours, then expect to be charged around £160 for a minimum two-hour call-out, with any time beyond that being charged at an hourly rate (typically around £50–£80 per hour). Please note emergency electrician prices may be higher in areas such as London.

Below is a table based on labour only, although when receiving a quote to replace a fuse box, you should already know how many circuits you are being charged for, which can vary between properties.

Cost To Replace a Fuse Box By Region

The cost of replacing an old fuse box with a new unit can vary by region, with prices in the South often being higher than those in the North due to higher labour fees. As per the below, the difference between the lower price range in the North (materials and labour fees combined) is considerably less than the overall costs in the likes of the South and London.

How Long Does It Take to Replace a Consumer Unit?

Replacing a fuse box or consumer unit usually takes around 4 to 8 hours in most homes.

The exact time depends on the size of the property, the number of circuits, and the condition of the existing wiring. If the electrician identifies faults during testing, additional electrical work may be required.

In larger homes or more complex installations, the work may take a full day or more to complete.

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Additional Consumer Unit Installation Costs

When you get an electrician in to replace your consumer unit, it is possible that they might uncover some bigger problems that need fixing. Each of these can add to the costs. Below are the most common additional costs to be aware of.

Electrical Inspection Cost

Having an electrical survey and getting an EICR certificate costs between £120 and £300 in 2026. This will either confirm that everything is fine and there's nothing to worry about, or identify issues that need to be resolved to ensure your home is safe.

If there is any reason to be concerned about the quality of the existing wiring in your home, you should have an electrical inspection completed.

Electrical Fault Repairs

An electrician should check your current system as part of the new fuse box installation, and any issues such as overloaded circuits, damaged wiring, or problems with insulation will need to be fixed.

Depending on the size of the issue, electrical fault repairs could typically cost between £100 and £500+.

Upgrading Existing Circuits

Older circuits that lack adequate earthing or modern protections may not meet current regulations and safety standards and will need to be upgraded before the new fusebox can be installed.

Upgrading an older system before your new fuse box is installed could cost between £150 and £600+.

Earth Bonding

Earth bonding is a protective step that is already taken in most houses. If an electrical inspection shows it is missing, you will need to have it done. It involves making sure key services like gas and water pipes are properly connected to the earthing system to ensure electrical safety. Installing earth bonding typically costs around £150 to £300.

Redecorating Costs

If the wall around the unit needs patching or repainting once the work is finished, you may want to redecorate the area. Making good a small patch of plaster and repainting typically costs around £100 to £250, depending on how much of the wall is affected.

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Factors That Impact Consumer Unit Replacement Costs

There are a few factors that will affect the cost of replacing your old consumer unit.

• Replacing a Fuse Box with a Consumer Unit — The cost of replacing a fuse box with a consumer unit is usually similar to swapping an existing consumer unit, although older fuse box setups are more likely to need remedial work, such as upgraded wiring, earthing, or added RCD protection, to meet current safety standards.
• Relocating a Consumer Unit — Moving a consumer unit a short distance of a metre or two often costs a similar amount to a standard replacement, at around £400. Larger moves, or those needing extensive rewiring or external work such as altering how the main supply enters the property, can reach £1,000 to £1,200 or more.
• Type of Consumer Unit — Some units are more expensive than others, and depending on which you choose there could be a £50 to £150 difference between a basic model and any higher-end options.
• Condition of Existing Wiring — If your current wiring is outdated or unsafe, it will need to be repaired or replaced, which could cost between £150 to £600+, depending on how much work is needed.
• Size of Property — The larger the house, the more circuits that are required, which will then impact the length of the job and the overall cost of materials and labour fees.
• Location and Accessibility — This is largely related to labour fees rather than material costs, as electricians in London and the South East tend to charge more, as do some in more rural locations.

Signs You May Need a Consumer Unit Replacement

A consumer unit doesn't have a fixed lifespan, but should typically be assessed to see if it meets current safety standards after about 20 to 30 years. However, older fuse boxes or damaged units may need replacing sooner to maintain electrical safety.

You may need a consumer unit replacement if you notice any of the following:

• Frequent circuit breaker trips that cannot be linked to a specific appliance.
• An outdated fuse box with replaceable fuses instead of modern circuit breakers.
• No residual current device (RCD) protection.
• Burning smells, buzzing sounds, or visible damage around the unit.
• A failed Electrical Installation Condition Report.

If any of these issues occur, get a qualified electrician to inspect the electrical system and advise whether a consumer unit replacement is needed.

Types of Consumer Unit

If you’re unsure which consumer unit you need, the sections below explain the most common types and their typical costs.

There are a few different types of consumer units to choose from. In most cases, your electrician will be able to suggest the best choice for your situation. However, as this is a safety item, it is a good idea to fix your budget, and then choose the best consumer unit that you can afford.

Garage Consumer Unit Cost

These are small consumer units designed to go in a separate building like a garage, or workshop. They will only have the capacity for a few circuits.

The average cost is £30 to £40.

Pros

• ✔ Can separate an outbuilding's supply from the rest of the house.
• ✔ Can be used to add extra circuits without replacing the existing unit.

Cons

• ✖ Limited number of circuits.

Shower Consumer Unit Cost

These are separate units that can be added to existing consumer units. They are good for large electrical devices that require a higher standard of circuit breaker.

The average cost is £30 to £60.

Pros

• ✔ Can be installed parallel to an existing consumer unit.
• ✔ Separates an appliance from the rest of the house.
• ✔ Cheap option.

Cons

• ✖ Only suitable for one or two appliances.

Split Load Consumer Unit Cost

A split load consumer unit is one that separates the large appliances in your home from the rest of the circuits. So, if the oven trips the circuit, the rest of the house is unaffected.

For example, your oven and hob might go through separate Residual Current Circuit Breakers (RCBO), which means they essentially have their own RCB and MCB (miniature circuit breakers), while the rest of the house runs through MCBs connected to one RCB.

The average cost is £60 to £100.

Pros

• ✔ A fault with a large appliance won’t affect the rest of the house.

Cons

• ✖ A fault on a socket in the home will affect everything in the house.

RCD Dual-Split Consumer Unit Cost

This is a consumer unit that has two separate residual current devices. This means the circuits in the house are split into two groups. Half the circuits go through each of the RCDs.

The average cost is £60 to £100.

Pros

• ✔ If there is a problem, only some of the circuits in the house stop working at a time.
• ✔ Can separate upstairs and downstairs circuits.

Cons

• ✖ A fault in one room can affect many rooms.

High Integrity Consumer Unit Cost

A high integrity consumer unit is one that separates out all the circuits in your home. Each circuit will trip independently but offer the same level of protection as other consumer units. This means that if one circuit has a problem, it is the only one affected.

The average cost is £70 to £150.

Pros

• ✔ If there is a problem, only one circuit is affected at a time.

Cons

• ✖ More expensive.

What's Involved in Installing a Consumer Unit?

Installing a consumer unit involves isolating the mains power, checking the existing wiring is safe, fitting and connecting the new unit, and then testing every circuit before the installation is certified.

This work is classed as 'notifiable work' under Part P of the Building Regulations and the Wiring Regulations (BS 7671), so it must be carried out by a qualified electrician registered with a competent person scheme who can self certify the installation, or Building Control must be notified to approve it as meeting current safety standards.

Before the Work Begins

• Turn off the Power — The power supply will need to be isolated and safely disconnected from the house before starting the rest of the process. As such, you will be temporarily left without power while the work is being carried out.
• Wiring Checks — The electrician will inspect the existing wiring and check it meets the current regulations so it is safe to connect to the replacement consumer unit. As long as the wiring is still safe, you can put in a new consumer unit, or alternatively your electrician will replace the wires at the same time as they replace the fuse box.

During the Installation

• Fitting the Main Switch — The electrician will install the main double-pole isolating switch supplied with the new consumer unit, ensuring it is correctly mounted and connected in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Connecting Meter Wires — A live and neutral wire from the meter will be connected to the double pole switch, while the earth wire from the meter is connected to the earth terminal block.
• Wiring the MCBs — Each MCB (miniature circuit breaker) should then be connected via a bus bar through its live terminal, although always review manufacturer’s instructions as this may vary between models.
• Circuit Wiring — For each circuit, the live, neutral, and earth wires are connected to the appropriate terminals as specified by the consumer unit manufacturer, ensuring correct connection to the MCBs or RCBOs, RCDs, and earth bar.
• Surge Protection — Modern consumer units can include a Surge Protection Device (SPD) to safeguard electrical appliances from power surges, but your electrician can advise if one is recommended for your installation.

After the Installation

• Final Testing — The electrician will carry out safety checks on all circuits, testing aspects such as residual current device trip times, insulation resistance, and to ensure they are operating correctly and in compliance with all necessary regulations.
• Certification — Once everything is confirmed, you should receive the appropriate certification, such as a Building Regulations Compliance, if applicable and a notification is sent by your electrician to Building Control or your local authority.

t is common practice to seek 3 quotes for the work before you proceed, and with MyJobQuote you can find a reputable electrician in your area with no obligation to book.

Checklist: How to Find a Consumer Unit Installer Near You

Before hiring an electrician to install or replace a consumer unit, use the following checklist to make sure you're hiring a qualified and reliable professional:

• Are they registered with a competent person scheme? Be sure to choose an electrician who is registered with a recognised scheme such as NICEIC or NAPIT, as they will be able to carry out notifiable work and self-certify that the installation meets Building Regulations.
• Are they registered with a government-approved scheme? Check if the electrician is part of NICEIC, NAPIT, or another recognised body. This gives you added protection and support if anything goes wrong with the work.
• Do they hold recognised qualifications? A competent electrician should hold relevant qualifications, such as a Level 3 vocational award or City & Guilds certification in electrical installation.
• Do they have liability insurance? This should be employer’s and public protection, in case of accidents, injury, or damage to your property during the job.
• Will they provide an Electrical Installation Certificate? After completing the work, a qualified electrician should issue an electrical installation certificate confirming it complies with UK safety standards and legal requirements.
• Have you compared at least 3 quotes? Getting multiple quotes through MyJobQuote helps ensure you're paying a fair price and can reveal major differences in what's included in the job.
• Do they have recent customer reviews or references? Check feedback on platforms including MyJobQuote, references and asking friends or family will help give insight into their reliability and work quality.
• Do they offer a guarantee or warranty? Some electricians offer a warranty for their workmanship, which can provide peace of mind after the job is completed and confidence that the job has been carried out correctly.

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