The short answer
Yes — replacing a consumer unit is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations in England and Wales, so it should be carried out by a registered (competent-person) electrician who self-certifies the work, or otherwise notified to building control before it starts. On completion you should receive an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC), which records the technical details and test results to BS 7671, plus a Building Regulations compliance certificate confirming the Part P notification. These are two separate documents and you need both for a consumer unit replacement. Keep them safe: when you sell the property, solicitors typically check for building-control sign-off on this kind of work.
A consumer unit replacement isn't a job to attempt yourself in England and Wales — it's notifiable work with specific certification. Here's who can do it and what paperwork you should end up with.
The rules in brief
- Part Pconsumer unit swap is notifiable
- Whoregistered electrician (self-certifies)
- StandardBS 7671 wiring regulations
- Certificate 1Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC)
- Certificate 2Building Regs compliance certificate
Why it's notifiable work
Under Part P of the Building Regulations (England and Wales), replacing a consumer unit is one of the common notifiable jobs because of the safety risk involved. Notifiable work must either be done by a registered competent-person electrician who self-certifies it, or be notified to local-authority building control in advance. A registered electrician handles the notification for you as part of the job, which is the usual route for a consumer unit replacement.
The certificates you should receive
A consumer unit replacement should leave you with two documents. The Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) records the installation's technical details and the results of the tests carried out, confirming compliance with the wiring regulations (BS 7671). The Building Regulations compliance certificate confirms the Part P notification has been made. They are separate, and for notifiable work you should have both. Without them, a homeowner can face questions on resale, and the local authority can require uncertified work to be inspected and put right.
| Document | What it confirms |
|---|---|
| Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) | technical details + test results to BS 7671 |
| Building Regs compliance certificate | Part P notification made |
| Both required | for a consumer unit replacement |
General guidance for England and Wales — confirm requirements for your area. Sources: trade certification guides, Part P guidance.
Want it done and certified properly?
We'll match you with a vetted, registered electrician who self-certifies the work under Part P and issues your Electrical Installation Certificate and Building Regs compliance certificate.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change my own consumer unit?
In England and Wales a consumer unit replacement is notifiable work under Part P, so it should be done by a registered electrician who self-certifies it, or otherwise notified to building control beforehand. It is not a recommended DIY job.
What certificates do I need for a consumer unit replacement?
Two: an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) recording the technical details and test results to BS 7671, and a Building Regulations compliance certificate confirming the Part P notification. You need both for this kind of notifiable work.
Why does Part P matter when I sell my house?
Solicitors typically check that notifiable electrical work has building-control sign-off. Without the EIC and Building Regs certificate, you may face questions on resale, and the local authority can require the work to be inspected and brought up to standard.
Sources & further reading
- Total Skills — notifiable electrical work and Part P
- Total Skills — electrical certificates explained (EIC, EICR, Minor Works)
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.