The short answer
A consumer unit replacement quote in the UK typically includes these components: the consumer unit itself (£50–£250 at trade, depending on type and size); labour to disconnect, fit and reconnect circuits (usually the largest single element, often £200–£500 for a typical job); inspection and testing of the existing installation; an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) confirming the work meets BS 7671; and Part P notification to building control. An SPD (surge protection device) is now commonly included or quoted as an add-on, usually at £80–£150 extra. Remedial work — fixing faults found during testing — is quoted separately when faults come to light. These elements together produce the total installed range of roughly £500–£1,200 for a typical house.
Most consumer unit quotes arrive as a single figure. Breaking that figure into its components helps you compare quotes accurately, understand what you are paying for and identify anything missing from the scope.
Cost components
- Consumer unit (materials)£50–£250 at trade
- Labour (4–8 hours)£200–£500
- Testing and EICwithin quoted total
- Part P notificationwithin quoted total
- SPD£80–£150 if included or added
The full cost breakdown, line by line
Here is what each component typically contributes to the total:
- The consumer unit (materials): the physical enclosure, main switch, busbars and circuit breakers. A basic 8-way RCD board from a mainstream brand can run £60–£100 at trade; a 12-way RCBO board runs £130–£250+. Additional devices — a surge protection device, a time switch for immersion control — add to materials.
- Labour: this is typically the largest single element. It covers removing the old board, fitting and securing the new unit, reconnecting every circuit, labelling each circuit and leaving the installation tidy. For a 10-way board on a typical semi-detached house, this commonly takes 4–8 hours.
- Pre-work inspection: before the new board is connected up, the electrician should check the condition of the installation — looking for obvious defects, confirming circuit identification and checking the earthing and bonding arrangement.
- Testing: after the board is connected, the installation must be tested. This means checking each circuit for correct polarity, insulation resistance (the wiring isn't damaged or degraded), earth continuity and, for RCD and RCBO devices, testing that those devices operate within the required time limits. Testing takes a significant amount of time and is not separable from the job if an EIC is to be issued.
- Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC): the formal document the registered electrician produces to confirm the installation meets BS 7671. It includes a schedule of every circuit with test results, the board details, the earthing arrangement and the inspector's sign-off. This is a property document you keep.
- Part P notification: a consumer unit replacement is notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations. A registered electrician self-certifies through their competent-person scheme (NICEIC, NAPIT, etc.) and notifies building control. The scheme charges a fee for this; the electrician absorbs or passes it on.
- Surge protection device (SPD): under BS 7671 18th Edition Amendment 2, most new domestic installations should include a Type 2 SPD or a documented risk assessment explaining why one is not fitted. Many electricians now include this; others add it as a line item at roughly £80–£150 supply and fit.
| Line item | Typical contribution | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer unit (8-way RCD) | £60–£100 | Trade price; within overall quote |
| Consumer unit (10-way RCBO) | £100–£200 | More expensive per breaker |
| Labour (4–8 hrs typical) | £200–£500 | Largest single element; varies by region |
| Testing (per circuit) | Within labour total | Required for EIC |
| Electrical Installation Certificate | £30–£80 approx | Often absorbed into total quote |
| Part P notification | £30–£60 approx scheme fee | Registered electrician self-certifies |
| SPD (Type 2, supply + fit) | £80–£150 | Now common or required |
| Minor remedials (if found) | £50–£300+ | Fault-dependent; quoted separately |
| Total typical (RCD board) | ~£500–£800 | Sound wiring, no major remedials |
| Total typical (RCBO board) | ~£800–£1,200 | Better protection, higher unit cost |
Indicative UK figures for guidance. Sources: Checkatrade and MyJobQuote cost guides. Actual figures depend on board size, region, findings on inspection.
What can push the total higher
Several factors can push a quote above the typical range:
- Remedial work: if testing finds faults — circuits with inadequate earthing, a socket in a wrong zone, degraded insulation — those must be fixed before the EIC can be issued. Remedials are charged separately, and their extent is impossible to predict without testing. Older properties are more likely to have remedial findings.
- Larger boards: a 14-way or 16-way RCBO board for a larger property or a property with many separate circuits costs more to supply and takes longer to connect.
- Relocation of the board: if the new consumer unit needs to go in a different position from the old one, additional trunking, cable runs or plastering can add cost.
- Supply upgrade: if the incoming cut-out (fuse) is insufficient for the load being added (common with EV chargers or large extensions), a DNO application for a supply upgrade is needed — this is outside the electrician's control and can add time and cost.
What should not appear in a legitimate breakdown
A few things that are sometimes seen in quotes that are worth questioning:
- Certificate as an optional extra: the EIC is not optional for a notifiable consumer unit replacement — it is the document that proves the work was done to standard. If it is listed separately as something you can opt out of, that is a concern.
- Part P notification missing: in England and Wales, a consumer unit replacement must be notified to building control. A quote that does not include this is either expecting you to do it yourself (which you cannot do without the electrician's sign-off) or omitting it.
- SPD explicitly excluded with no explanation: under current BS 7671, the absence of an SPD should be justified by a documented risk assessment, not just omitted silently. Ask the electrician which applies.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the EIC cost money on top of the installation?
The EIC is not a separate charge for a form — it represents the time taken to carry out all the tests whose results are recorded on it, to produce the schedule of circuits, to check the installation design and to sign off the work. Some electricians show it as a line item; others absorb it into the labour total. Either way, it is part of the job's cost.
What happens if testing finds faults?
The electrician should tell you what was found and what it will take to fix it. Remedial work is quoted separately because its extent cannot be known in advance. You can then decide whether to proceed with the repair on the same visit or separately. The board should not be certified until the faults are resolved.
Is the Part P notification fee on top of the quoted price?
In most cases it is absorbed into the total quote. Some electricians itemise it as a line item (it is a real cost they pay to their competent-person scheme, typically in the range of £30–£60). If it is not in the quote at all, ask whether Part P notification is included — because if it is not, you may not receive the building regulations compliance certificate.
Sources & further reading
- Checkatrade — cost of replacing a fuse box / consumer unit
- MyJobQuote — replace a fuse box cost guide
- gov.uk — Part P: electrical safety in dwellings
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific property and installation. They are guidance, not a quotation.