Cost estimator
Fuse board (consumer unit) replacement cost
Estimate the cost of a new consumer unit in the UK, including the testing and certification a board change needs.
Indicative UK prices including the unit, labour and the EIC. Remedial work found during testing is extra.
What a consumer unit change involves
A board swap looks like changing one box, but the price reflects what happens around it. A new consumer unit is a new protective-device assembly, which has to be fully tested and certified with an Electrical Installation Certificate. The testing and paperwork are part of the day, not an add-on.
What you are choosing between
- Dual-RCD (high integrity) board: the split-load arrangement, lower cost.
- Full RCBO board: every circuit protected on its own, so one fault no longer takes out half the house. More expensive, increasingly the default.
Modern boards are metal (since the 2016 amendment), and many now include surge protection (SPD), with arc-fault detection (AFDD) on some circuits.
The extras that move the price
Two things commonly add cost. Main protective bonding: if the bonding to gas and water is missing or undersized, it has to be brought up to standard as part of the work. Remedial work the testing finds: a board change is also an inspection, and faults have to be put right or recorded. A survey first keeps the quote firm. If a board has no spare capacity for a future EV charger, doing both together saves a second visit.
FAQs
How much does it cost to replace a fuse board in the UK?
A consumer-unit replacement is usually about 450 to 900 pounds supplied and fitted, including the certification. A full RCBO board, bonding upgrades or remedial work found on testing push it higher.
Does a fuse board change need a certificate?
Yes. Replacing a consumer unit installs a new circuit-protection assembly, so it must be certified with an Electrical Installation Certificate, with the installation tested as part of the work.
RCBO board or dual-RCD board?
A dual-RCD (high integrity) board is cheaper. A full RCBO board protects each circuit on its own, so a single fault does not disconnect several circuits. Many electricians now fit RCBO boards as standard despite the higher cost.