How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Fusebox?
A fuse box, also known as a distribution board performs an essential function by distributing electricity supplied by your utility company throughout your property. That’s why it’s vital that your fuse box is reliable and, more importantly, safe. Whether a fault has been detected or your fuse box has just reached the end of its life, there will come a time when a replacement is required. The question we get asked is How much does a replacement fuse board cost?
Below, we look at how you know when to consider replacing your fuse box, also known as a distribution board or consumer unit. We’ll also set out your options and outline the factors determining how much the work will cost.
There are several indications that you need to upgrade your fuse box.
In terms of age, while there is no defined lifespan for a fuse box, if yours is 20+ years old, it will not be compliant with the latest safety standards or building regulations. This can compromise electrical safety and lead to a higher risk of fire.
Boards over 10 years old can show signs of deterioration, indicating a replacement might be due.
Look for such signs as flickering lights or electrical sockets which only work intermittently. You might also experience regular tripping of the circuit breakers, leading to a loss of power
Further reasons for considering replacing your fuse box are:
To make things easier, we’ve put together a guide –
The traditional fuse box has been replaced by what’s called a “consumer unit”. They look the same as the older versions but have several advantages, including
While there are several types available, consumer units generally comprise the following elements:
Main switch: This is the master control for electricity flow into your property. You can flip this switch to cut off your entire electricity supply
Mini circuit breakers: Also known as fuses, MCBs limit the risk of fires by cutting the electricity supply to a specific part of the property if an overload is detecte
Residual current devices: RCDs are another safety feature often missing from older-style fuse boxes. They are triggered if the current becomes too high or a fault is detected
Residual current circuit breaker with overload: Selected models will include a combined safety feature, known as an RCBO, in one device.
Surge protection device: Some consumer units have these fitted as a further safety measure. Surge protection is particularly recommended for properties in areas prone to lightning strikes.
There are several consumer units available, each of which is suited for different uses and capacities. The main types are:
High-integrity consumer unit: This is one of the most popular types for domestic use, featuring RCBOs and two banks of MCBs with capacity for up to 12 circuits.
Dual RCD consumer unit: These units are often cheaper than high-integrity units, with a main switch and two RCDs.
Main switch consumer unit: This simply comprises the main switch component with RCBOs typically added, as required by the user.
In addition, there are garage consumer units, also known as small RCD consumer units or RCD incomers. These are smaller and specifically designed for the needs of garages, sheds and other outdoor buildings. They do not have a main switch.
If you wish to install an electric shower, you might be able to use a shower consumer unit. This can avoid the need to replace your main fuse box by adding additional capacity solely for the electricity supply to the shower. Similarly, an EV consumer unit is available for home electric vehicle chargers.
An expert electrician will be able to advise on the best type of unit for your property, needs and budget.
So, how much does it cost for a new fuse board? In general, you should budget around £550 + VAT, including the unit and labour, for the cost of replacing a fuse box with a consumer unit.
If you want to buy a standalone consumer unit, they start at around £80. You will then need to hire a qualified electrician to install the unit. The work takes around half a day to upgrade the consumer
However, the length of the job and the overall price will depend on certain factors. They include the size of your property and the type of unit required. In addition, additional costs will apply if, for example:
Another thing to note is that consumer units are often priced by the number of circuits.
If you look at your current fuse box, you can see there are switches controlling the electricity supply to specific parts of the home. These are the circuits
Most homes have around six circuits. However, you can get a consumer unit with 10 or 12 circuits, which offers increased capacity.
Consumer unit prices also vary due to their amp rating. This is usually between 40A and 100A. Most homes require at least 100A. Garage consumer units are often 40A to 60A.
Given these variables, for an accurate price on upgrading your current fuse box with a modern consumer unit, the best advice is to
If you want to know how much it will cost to replace your fusebox, the team at CTE Contractors Ltd based in Barnsley, are just one call away. Contact our NICEIC accredited team to arrange a quote for a fuse board replacement.
Book A Video Survey To Access Your RequirementsChris and his guys are really professional, and just very nice people to do business with.
I have used them many times now in my home for various projects and also my friends and family's homes.
Full house rewire in our house, along with spotlights and outside sockets and lights. Really pleased and I won’t be going anywhere else in future.
Chris and particularly Alex have been involved in a full refurb of our new property. We had a full rewire, plus many extras. They have all been absolutely fantastic. Very professional, helpful and great at their work. I would definitely recommend them to anyone who requires electrical work. Thank you guys.
Had Chris and the team in for a Consumer Unit change and some downlights. 1st class from start to finish. Turned up on time and job completed within timescale. Would recommend.