The short answer
Replacing a consumer unit in the UK typically costs around £350–£1,200 all in, depending on the board type and your property. A board protected by RCDs commonly runs about £500–£800, while a full RCBO board (a separate breaker per circuit) is usually around £800–£1,200. Most homes need a 10-way unit, and a 10-way RCBO replacement often lands near the lower end of that RCBO range. The price normally includes the unit itself, labour, testing, an Electrical Installation Certificate and Part P notification. The main drivers are the number of circuits, the board type you choose, whether a surge protection device is added (often £80–£150), and whether your existing wiring passes its tests.
Price depends mainly on the type of board, how many circuits you have, and the condition of your existing installation. The figures below are typical installed ranges for guidance, not quotations.
Typical UK costs
- RCD board~£500–£800
- Full RCBO board~£800–£1,200
- 10-way unit (typical home)lower-priced end of range
- Surge protection device~£80–£150 extra
- What's includedunit, labour, testing, EIC, notification
What drives the price
- Board type: a board using shared RCDs is lower-priced than a full RCBO board, where every circuit has its own breaker for finer fault isolation.
- Number of circuits: more circuits mean a larger unit (commonly 10-way), which costs more than a small board.
- Existing wiring: if testing finds faults — common in older homes — they must be put right before the board can be certified, which adds time and cost.
- Extras: a surge protection device, additional circuits, or moving the board's position all add to the figure.
| Item | Typical figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer unit replacement (basic) | £350–£750+ | smaller board, sound wiring |
| RCD board | ~£500–£800 | shared RCD protection |
| Full RCBO board | ~£800–£1,200 | a breaker per circuit |
| Surge protection device | ~£80–£150 | optional add-on |
Indicative UK figures for guidance. Sources: Checkatrade and MyJobQuote cost guides.
Why quotes vary so widely
Two homes can get very different numbers for the same headline job. A board with sound wiring that passes its tests is the lower-priced case; an older installation that fails on inspection needs remedial work before it can be certified, which lifts the total. Board type matters too — a full RCBO board costs more than a shared-RCD board but isolates a single faulty circuit rather than tripping a whole half of the house. Get the scope written down so you are comparing on the same basis.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to replace a consumer unit?
Typically around £350–£1,200 all in, depending on the board. An RCD board commonly runs about £500–£800, and a full RCBO board around £800–£1,200, including the unit, labour, testing, an Electrical Installation Certificate and Part P notification.
Why is a full RCBO board more expensive?
A full RCBO board gives every circuit its own combined breaker, so a single fault isolates one circuit rather than tripping a whole section of the house. That extra protection costs more than a shared-RCD board, usually around £800–£1,200.
Why is the price range so wide?
Because installations differ. The board type, the number of circuits, and whether your existing wiring passes its tests all move the figure. A measured quote after an inspection gives the accurate number for your home.
Sources & further reading
- Checkatrade — cost of replacing a fuse box / consumer unit
- MyJobQuote — consumer unit replacement cost guide
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.