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NAPIT Registered · Part P Certified

Consumer Unit Replacement

Modern metal-clad consumer unit upgrades for homes and businesses across Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. Compliant, certified and completed in a day.

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Why Afta Electrical
NAPIT RegisteredApproved electrical contractor
Part P CertifiedSelf-notifying authority
Metal-clad only18th Edition compliant
Same-day completionMost installs done in one day
From £495Supplied & installed

About This Service

The right board, done right

Consumer unit replacement is one of the most consequential electrical jobs in a home. A poorly specified or incorrectly wired consumer unit creates fire risk, nuisance tripping, and a Part P certificate that doesn't reflect what's actually been installed. We take it seriously.

We install metal-clad consumer units only — plastic-encased units were effectively removed from the market for new installations under the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations (BS 7671:2018) due to their higher fire risk. If you're being quoted a plastic board at a lower price, you should ask why.

Which brand is right for your property?

British General (BG) offers a cost-effective, reliable solution for standard domestic properties with a straightforward circuit arrangement. FuseBox is our preferred mid-range option — excellent build quality, good availability of accessories, and a proven track record. Hager is our premium recommendation for larger properties, commercial-adjacent installations, or where the client wants the highest-specification components throughout.

RCBO vs dual RCD

All modern consumer units use residual current protection, but the configuration matters. A dual-RCD board splits circuits across two RCDs — if one trips (due to a fault or nuisance trip), half the house loses power. An RCBO board gives every circuit its own individual protection device, so a fault on one circuit has no impact on the rest. We default to RCBO boards and will advise if cost is the limiting factor.

What happens on the day

We arrive early, isolate the supply, remove the old unit, install and connect the new board, test every circuit against current regulations, and issue an Electrical Installation Certificate on completion. Power is typically off for 4–6 hours. You'll need to be present or have a key holder available, and the area around the board needs to be accessible.

Simultaneous EICR

Many clients combine a consumer unit replacement with an EICR inspection. The cost is significantly lower when done together, and you'll have a full picture of your installation's condition on the same day.

Metal-clad enclosures only

18th Edition compliant. All units we install meet current BS 7671 requirements — no plastic boards.

RCBO protection as standard

Individual circuit protection as default. Dual-RCD configuration available where cost is the deciding factor.

Full circuit testing

Every circuit tested on completion: continuity, insulation resistance and RCD trip time. Results recorded in the Electrical Installation Certificate.

Part P self-notification

As a NAPIT registered contractor, we notify building control on your behalf. Certificate issued within 10 working days.

Earthing & bonding checked

Main earthing conductor and supplementary bonding checked and upgraded if required — at no hidden cost.

What's Included

Every consumer unit replacement includes

Pre-install assessment

Circuit count, earthing type and condition, incoming supply rating and meter tails assessment. Fixed quote before work begins.

Metal-clad consumer unit

BG, FuseBox or Hager — supplied by us with full manufacturer warranty. Sized for your circuit count with spare ways for future additions.

Full RCBO protection

Individual RCBO for every circuit as standard. Correct Type A or Type F protection for circuits with inverter loads, EV chargers or heat pumps.

Earthing & main bonding

Main protective bonding conductors inspected and upgraded to current regulation requirements. New earth clamps and labels.

Full circuit testing

Continuity, insulation resistance and RCD performance testing on every circuit. Results recorded and provided in the handover documentation.

Electrical Installation Certificate

EIC issued on completion. Part P notification lodged with building control. Copies provided for your records and any future property sale.

Is your consumer unit due for replacement?

Old fuse boxes, plastic-cased units or boards with fewer than 10 ways are candidates. We'll advise honestly — and quote a fixed price before we start.
Get a Fixed-Price Quote

Indicative Pricing

Consumer unit pricing

Installed prices including consumer unit supply, full RCBO protection, earthing check, circuit testing and Part P certification. Prices assume standard domestic supply and up to 16 circuits.

ESSENTIAL
Essential Upgrade
£495 from

Straightforward upgrade for smaller properties. 2–4 circuits, metal-clad board, full RCBO protection and Part P certification.

  • 2–4 circuit board
  • Full RCBO protection
  • Metal-clad enclosure
  • Part P certificate
MOST POPULAR
Standard Home Upgrade
£645 from

The right fit for most 3–4 bedroom homes. 5–8 circuits, full RCBO, surge protection option and complete certification.

  • 5–8 circuit board
  • Full RCBO protection
  • Surge protection option
  • Part P certificate
FULL PROPERTY
Full Property Upgrade
£795 from

Larger homes with 9–12 circuits. Full RCBO board, AFDD surge protection, complete testing and certification included.

  • 9–12 circuit board
  • Full RCBO protection
  • AFDD surge protection
  • Part P certificate

All prices include supply, installation, full RCBO protection, earthing check, circuit testing and Part P certification. 13+ circuit and complex installations from £895. View full pricing breakdown →

Common Questions

Consumer unit FAQs

Do I need to replace my consumer unit?
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Not all older boards need immediate replacement. However, replacement is strongly advisable if your board is plastic-encased (a fire risk under 18th Edition), uses rewirable fuses rather than MCBs, lacks RCD protection on any circuits, doesn't have enough spare ways for new circuits, or was flagged as unsatisfactory on a recent EICR.
How long will the power be off?
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Typically 4–6 hours for a standard domestic consumer unit replacement. The exact duration depends on circuit count and the condition of existing wiring. We'll give you an estimated time on the day and try to schedule the outage to minimise disruption — usually early morning until lunchtime.
What's the difference between an MCB and an RCBO?
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An MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker) protects only against overcurrent — it will trip if a circuit draws more current than it's rated for. An RCBO (Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent protection) does both — it also detects earth leakage faults that could cause electric shock or fire. On an RCBO board, each circuit has its own individual protection, so a fault on one circuit doesn't affect others.
Will I need an EICR before or after the replacement?
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The consumer unit replacement itself produces an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC), which covers the new board and the circuits connected to it. An EICR is a separate periodic inspection of the entire installation. If your wiring is old or you're selling/renting the property, we'd recommend combining an EICR with the consumer unit work — it's more cost-effective done at the same time.
Can you upgrade the consumer unit if the meter tails are old?
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Older properties may have undersized or deteriorating meter tails (the cables between the meter and consumer unit). Where these need replacement, we'll quote this separately — it requires coordination with your DNO to isolate the supply at the meter. We manage this process and arrange the DNO appointment where needed.
Do I need to inform my mortgage lender or insurer?
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You don't need lender permission to replace a consumer unit. Your insurer may ask about the age of electrical installation — a new consumer unit with a Part P certificate is a positive factor. The Part P certificate is also frequently requested by conveyancers during property sales, so keep it with your property documents.

Related Services

You may also need

EICR Testing

Periodic inspection of your full electrical installation. Often combined with consumer unit replacement for a complete picture.

Learn more →

EV Charger Installation

Adding an EV charger requires a spare way in your consumer unit. We can upgrade your board and fit the charger on the same visit.

Learn more →

Fault Finding

Persistent tripping, dead circuits or unexplained power issues. We diagnose and resolve electrical faults systematically.

Learn more →
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Important — older boards

No RCD or RCBO protection on your current board? An EICR is required first.

If your existing board has no RCD or RCBO protection — typically older boards with plain MCBs or rewireable fuses — we require an EICR to be completed before the board change takes place.

Unprotected older installations are far more likely to have underlying faults — damaged insulation, inadequate earthing, deteriorated wiring — that only surface during testing. If those faults appear on the day of your board change, the scope of the job changes, additional remedial work is needed, the price changes, and in some cases the work has to stop.

Carrying out the EICR first means we know the full condition of your installation before we start. Your board change can be quoted accurately, booked with confidence, and completed in one clean visit with no surprises on the day.

Free Consumer Unit Quote Survey

Get a fast, accurate quote for your upgrade

Answer 6 quick questions and we'll provide a tailored quote for your consumer unit replacement. Takes about 90 seconds.

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Question 1 of 6
Why do you need a new consumer unit?
This helps us understand the urgency and scope of the work required.
Question 2 of 6
What type of property is it?
Consumer unit sizing depends on the number of circuits and property size.
Question 3 of 6
How old is your current consumer unit approximately?
Older units are more likely to need full replacement rather than repair.
Question 4 of 6
Are you experiencing any electrical issues?
Knowing about existing problems helps us assess what needs to be included.
Question 5 of 6
When are you looking to have the work done?
This helps us plan our schedule to suit you.
Question 6 of 6
Almost done — where shall we send your results?
We'll review your answers and get back to you with honest, tailored advice. No hard sell, no spam.

Thank you — we'll be in touch soon!

We've received your consumer unit survey. One of our engineers will review your answers and come back with a clear, honest quote — usually within one business day.

Old fuseboard, or just
not sure if it's right?

We'll assess your current installation and give you honest advice on whether replacement is necessary, what it will cost, and what the new board will give you. No pressure, just clear information.

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