Consumer unit (fuse box) replacement cost in London 2026
Consumer unit prices in London
| Installation | Typical London price, 2026 | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Like-for-like 6 to 8-way board, RCBOs, SPD | £400 to £650 | Half a day |
| Standard 10-way board, RCBOs on every circuit, SPD, labels, certificate | £450 to £900 | Half a day to a day |
| 12 to 16-way board, larger house | £700 to £1,200 | A day |
| Board plus main earthing and bonding upgrade | Add £120 to £300 | Same visit |
| Two boards, or board plus garage / annex sub-board | £900 to £1,400 | A day |
| HMO with fire-rated enclosure and labelling | £800 to £1,300 | 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.
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, and cost £8 to £15 more per circuit than a plain MCB, which is 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 costs £40 to £80 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.
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.
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, in London typically £250 to £400, 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, and Energy North offers a fuseboard upgrade and EICR together at a combined price, with both certificates issued the same day.
Where these prices apply
This guide is written for London. The figures hold across 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 across 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?
About £450 to £900 for a standard 10-way metal board with RCBOs on every circuit, surge protection and the certificate. Larger houses, HMOs or properties needing earthing and bonding upgrades run £900 to £1,400.
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 costs £40 to £80 within the job. Ask for it to be listed on the quote.
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Prices checked 12 September 2026. They are guide prices for Greater London and include VAT where Energy North is the installer; 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.