Consumer Unit (Fuse Box) Replacement Cost in London 2026: What Affects the Price
Consumer unit jobs in London and what drives the cost
No two boards are quite the same, so there is no fixed price that fits every home. The table shows the usual types of job, what makes each one bigger or smaller, and how long it takes.
| Installation | What drives the cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Like-for-like 6 to 8-way board, RCBOs, SPD | Fewer circuits to fit and test | Half a day |
| Standard 10-way board, RCBOs on every circuit, SPD, labels, certificate | An RCBO and a full set of tests for each circuit | Half a day to a day |
| 12 to 16-way board, larger house | More circuits, more RCBOs, more testing | A day |
| Board plus main earthing and bonding upgrade | Extra work on the main earth and the bonding to gas and water pipes | Same visit |
| Two boards, or board plus garage / annex sub-board | A second board and the cable between the two | A day |
| HMO with fire-rated enclosure and labelling | The fire-rated enclosure and fuller labelling | A day |
Energy North prices fuseboard upgrades as a fixed job after seeing a photo of the existing board and the meter position, so the number you approve is the number on the invoice. The quote is free and there is no obligation.
2026 consumer unit prices in London and the UK
These are independent 2026 market benchmarks for London and the UK, gathered from the big published price guides and checked on 09-11-2026. They are not Energy North prices. For our own fixed prices see energynorth.uk/electrician, or post your job free on Energy North and compare quotes from verified local trades.
| Job | Typical 2026 price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer unit installed in London | £502 to £750, average £608 | Checkatrade London data, 2026 |
| 10-way RCBO board, supplied and fitted (UK) | About £485 | Checkatrade cost guide, October 2026 |
| 10-way board, supplied and fitted (UK) | £480 to £640 | MyJobQuote cost guide, November 2026 |
| Smaller home, about 6 circuits (UK) | From £350 | Checkatrade cost guide, October 2026 |
| Larger home, 12 or more circuits (UK) | Up to £800 | Checkatrade cost guide, October 2026 |
| Moving the consumer unit (UK) | About £400 | Checkatrade cost guide, October 2026 |
| EICR before the change (UK) | About £210 | Checkatrade cost guide, October 2026 |
Prices assume the existing wiring is in good condition. Faults found during testing must be put right before the new board is connected, and that work is quoted separately.
Journalists, bloggers and landlords are welcome to quote this table. Please credit Energy North with a link, for example:
Source: <a href="https://energynorth.uk/blog/consumer-unit-replacement-cost-london-2026.html">Consumer unit replacement cost in London 2026</a> by <a href="https://energynorth.uk/">Energy North</a>What a proper replacement includes
- A metal-clad consumer unit, required since 2016 for fire containment.
- An RCBO on each circuit, so a fault on one circuit does not black out the house.
- A surge protection device (SPD), which BS 7671 now expects in nearly every home.
- Testing of every circuit before and after, with dead and live tests, because a new board on a faulty circuit will simply keep tripping.
- Main earthing and bonding checked and, if needed, brought up to size.
- Clear circuit labels and a printed schedule inside the lid.
- An Electrical Installation Certificate and notification to building control under Part P.
If a quote does not mention RCBOs, an SPD, testing and the certificate, it is not the same job and should not be compared on price.
Why RCBOs and surge protection now
Older split-load boards put half the house on one RCD. One damp outdoor socket takes out the kitchen, the boiler and the fridge, usually on a Sunday. RCBOs protect each circuit on its own. They cost a little more per circuit than a plain MCB, and they are the best money in the whole job. Surge protection guards the electronics in every modern appliance, boiler and EV charger against spikes from the grid and nearby lightning. The device is a small part of the job and is now the default under the wiring regulations.
Signs your fuse box needs replacing
- Rewirable fuses (the ceramic carriers with fuse wire) or a wooden back board.
- No RCD protection at all, or a single RCD covering everything.
- Plastic enclosure fitted before 2016 in an escape route, or any sign of heat or discolouration.
- No spare ways when you need an EV charger, shower or extension.
- An EICR with a C2 against the board.
- Frequent tripping that no one can trace.
What changes the price
Number of circuits. Each way needs its own RCBO and its own set of tests. More circuits means more parts and more time.
Size and type of board. A small like-for-like board is the simplest job. A larger board, two boards, or a sub-board in a garage or annex adds parts and cable.
Earthing and bonding. Many London terraces still have undersized bonding to the gas and water pipes, or a TN-S supply that has been converted. Fixing this is often required before a new board can be certified.
Faults found on test. A new board will expose a borderline circuit. Most electricians quote the board and price any extra repairs separately. Ask how that will be handled before the day.
Location of the board. A board in a cupboard under the stairs is straightforward. One in a hallway that needs a fire-rated enclosure or moving a metre costs more.
Supplier's cut-out. If the main fuse or tails are undersized or damaged the supplier has to attend, which is free but adds a visit.
How to compare quotes and spot red flags
Put the quotes side by side and check they describe the same job. A fair quote for a consumer unit should list:
- The board itself, metal-clad, and the number of ways.
- An RCBO on every circuit and a surge protection device.
- Testing of every circuit before and after the change.
- What happens to the earthing and bonding if they are not up to standard.
- How faults found on test will be priced.
- The Electrical Installation Certificate and the building control notification, and the name of the competent person scheme.
Red flags are a quote that only says "new fuse box fitted", no mention of testing or the certificate, a plastic board, a single RCD covering everything, or an electrician who cannot tell you which scheme they are registered with. A cheap board fitted without testing is not a bargain if it keeps tripping or cannot be certified.
What happens on the day
Power is off for most of the visit, typically 3 to 6 hours. The electrician tests every existing circuit first, fits the new board, reconnects and labels each circuit, tests everything again live, fits the SPD, checks the bonding, and walks you through the board. You get the certificate the same day and the building control notification follows within a few days.
Part P, certificates and building control
Replacing a consumer unit is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations. An electrician registered with a government-approved competent person scheme self-certifies the job, and you receive the Electrical Installation Certificate plus a compliance certificate from the scheme. If someone who is not registered does the work, you must pay the council's building control to inspect it, and many will not certify work they did not see done. Ask for the scheme name before you book.
Do it with an EICR
If the board is being replaced because an EICR flagged it, the re-test after the work is part of the job. If you do not have a recent EICR, combining the two makes sense: the electrician is already testing every circuit. Energy North quotes a fuseboard upgrade and EICR together as one job, free on request, with both certificates issued the same day.
Where this guide applies
This guide is written for London. It covers the boroughs we work in most, Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Camden, Islington, Hackney, Waltham Forest, Tower Hamlets, Newham, Redbridge, Westminster, Ealing, Brent, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, and the rest of Greater London within a small travel allowance. Outside the M25 prices are usually a little lower because day rates and parking cost less.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to replace a consumer unit in London?
It depends on the number of circuits, the size of the board, whether earthing and bonding need upgrading and where the board sits. A standard job covers a metal board, an RCBO on every circuit, surge protection, testing and the certificate. Larger houses, HMOs and dual boards cost more. Energy North gives a free fixed-price quote from a photo of your board.
How long does it take to replace a fuse box?
Half a day to a full day, with the power off for most of it. The certificate is issued the same day and building control is notified within a few days.
Do I need a certificate for a new consumer unit?
Yes. It is notifiable under Part P. A registered electrician issues an Electrical Installation Certificate and self-certifies to building control. Unregistered work must be inspected by the council at your cost.
Is a plastic consumer unit illegal?
Not illegal, but since 2016 new consumer units in homes must be metal or in a non-combustible enclosure. An older plastic board is usually a C3 on an EICR unless it shows heat damage, when it becomes a C2.
What is the difference between an RCD and an RCBO?
An RCD protects a group of circuits and trips them all together. An RCBO protects one circuit, so a fault on the outdoor socket does not switch off the kitchen. New boards should use RCBOs on every circuit.
Does a new consumer unit include surge protection?
It should. BS 7671 expects a surge protection device in almost every home now, and it is a small part of the overall job. Ask for it to be listed on the quote.
Book Energy North directly for London: Book online or ask for a free quote
Or compare quotes from other verified local electricians: Post the job, free, no obligation
Related guides
- How much does an EICR cost in London?
- How much does an electrician cost in London?
- House rewire cost in London
- EV charger installation cost in London
- Landlord electrical safety certificate cost in London
Updated 21 October 2026. We do not publish prices on this page because they change. Every job is quoted on its own, free and in writing, and other electricians may quote differently. Nothing on this page changes the legal duties described, which come from the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 and BS 7671.