TL;DR — Fuse Box Replacement Cost At A Glance
- Replacing a fuse box (consumer unit) costs £450–£750 outside London and £700–£1,200 in London in 2026.
- A standard 10-circuit replacement typically runs £470–£650 outside London.
- Price depends on the type of unit, number of circuits, and any remedial work needed to bring the installation up to standard.
- Modern units add RCDs or RCBOs and often a surge protection device (SPD), as required by the current wiring regulations.
- The work is notifiable under Part P and must be done by a registered electrician, who issues a certificate on completion.
- If old wiring or earthing is found during the swap, expect extra remedial costs — factor these into your budget.
Get a fixed price for a consumer unit replacement — check prices and book online or call to arrange a survey with a registered electrician.
How Much Does A Fuse Box Replacement Cost In 2026?
Replacing a fuse box — properly called a consumer unit — costs £450–£750 across most of the UK, with a standard 10-circuit unit at £470–£650. In London and the South East, prices run £700–£1,200, reflecting higher labour rates and, often, older properties that need more remedial work.
The job is more than a straight swap. A modern replacement brings the installation up to the current wiring regulations (BS 7671), which usually means fitting RCDs or individual RCBOs for shock and fault protection, and increasingly a surge protection device (SPD). The electrician also tests every circuit before and after the change and issues an Electrical Installation Certificate, as the work is notifiable under Part P.
| Job | Rest of UK | London & South East |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer unit replacement | £450–£750 | £700–£1,200 |
| Standard 10-circuit unit | £470–£650 | £700–£950 |
Figures include VAT where applicable and reflect 2026 market rates. Your exact price depends on the unit and your postcode — get a fixed quote here.
Fuse Box Replacement Cost By Consumer Unit Type
The type and size of the new unit is the biggest factor. These are typical all-in prices, including labour, the unit and standard testing:
| Consumer unit type | Rest of UK | London & South East |
|---|---|---|
| Like-for-like main-switch unit (fewer circuits) | £400–£550 | £650–£850 |
| Standard dual-RCD / split-load unit (up to 10 circuits) | £450–£700 | £700–£950 |
| High-integrity board with RCBOs and SPD | £550–£800 | £850–£1,100 |
| Larger 12–16 way board or board relocation | £700–£900 | £950–£1,200 |
A dual-RCD (split-load) unit protects circuits in two groups; if one RCD trips, half the house loses power. A high-integrity board with RCBOs gives each circuit its own protection, so a fault only affects the affected circuit — more convenient, and now the common choice. Moving the board to a new location, or adding an SPD and AFDDs, sits at the top of the range.
What Affects The Cost Of A Fuse Box Replacement?
1. The Type And Size Of The Unit
A basic like-for-like swap costs less than a high-integrity RCBO board with surge protection. More circuits ("ways") and more protective devices push up both the unit price and the labour.
2. Remedial Work On The Existing Installation
This is the big variable. When the old unit comes off, the electrician tests the circuits. If earthing, bonding or old cabling fails to meet standards, that work must be done before the new unit can be certified, adding cost. Older homes are more likely to need it.
3. Your Location
London and the South East run roughly 15–30% higher than the North of England, Wales and Scotland, reflecting higher labour rates and older housing stock.
4. Accessibility And Board Location
An easy-to-reach board in a hallway cupboard is quick. Moving the unit, or working around a tucked-away meter position, adds time and materials.
5. Certification And Notification
The work is notifiable under Part P. A registered electrician includes testing and the certificate in the price; using an unregistered fitter risks having to pay Building Control to certify the job separately.
6. Additional Protection Devices
Surge protection devices (SPDs) and, for some circuits, arc fault detection devices (AFDDs) add to the parts cost but improve safety and future-proof the installation. An SPD guards sensitive electronics against voltage spikes from the grid or lightning, while an AFDD detects the dangerous arcing that can start electrical fires. Neither is required on every installation, but both are increasingly specified on modern boards and are worth discussing when getting a quote.
What's Included — And What's Not
| Typically included in a consumer unit replacement | Usually charged separately |
|---|---|
| The new consumer unit and standard protective devices (RCDs / RCBOs) | Remedial work on earthing, bonding or faulty circuits found during testing |
| Removing and disposing of the old fuse box | Upgrading old or damaged cabling, or a partial rewire |
| Testing every circuit before and after the change | Relocating the board to a new position |
| An Electrical Installation Certificate and Part P notification | Making good — filling, plastering or decorating around the unit |
Can You Do It Yourself?
No. Replacing a consumer unit is notifiable work under Part P and involves working at the origin of the installation, where a mistake can be fatal. It must be carried out by a registered electrician, who will isolate the supply, test the circuits and issue the certificate.
Attempting it without registration is illegal for notifiable work in England and Wales, dangerous, and likely to invalidate home insurance. Uncertified work also causes problems at resale. This is firmly a job for a professional.
How To Save Money On A Fuse Box Replacement
- Get 2–3 fixed quotes and check exactly what is included — unit type, number of circuits, testing and certificate.
- Ask about remedial work up front so a low headline price does not balloon on the day.
- Bundle it with other work, such as an EICR or new sockets, to make the most of one visit.
- Choose the right unit — a high-integrity board costs a little more but avoids losing power across whole zones when a fault trips.
- Clear access to the board so the electrician is not held up.
- Book standard hours rather than an emergency slot where the work can safely wait.
How To Hire A Good Electrician For A Consumer Unit Replacement
Confirm the electrician is registered with a Competent Person Scheme (NICEIC or NAPIT), carries public liability insurance, and will issue an Electrical Installation Certificate with Part P notification. Ask for a fixed quote that names the unit type and number of circuits, check reviews or references, and clarify how any remedial work would be priced.
With Fantastic Services, you get vetted, insured and registered electricians, transparent pricing and online booking — arrange a survey and get a clear quote for the work.
Fantastic Services Fuse Box Replacement Costs
As a member of the Fantastic club, you can get £30 OFF for 10 different services within 1 year.
| Monday – Friday | Weekend | Weekend | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appointments | 08:00 - 18:00 | Before/After Working Hours | 08:00 - 17:30 | Before/After Working Hours |
| First half hour* | £61 | £87 | £77 | £87 |
| Subsequent half hours | £49 | £75 | £65 | £75 |
| Half day (4 hours) | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Full day (8 hours) | £569 | --- | --- | --- |
Join the Fantastic Club and get:
- £300 in credits
- Preferential member rates
- Domestic cleaning from £18/h
- Plant a tree
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*Minimum time per appointment is 1 hour. After the first hour, we will charge on a half-hour basis.
**In cases where we need to purchase all the materials necessary for the completion of the job, shopping time and material costs will be added separately on the top of your bill. The standard hourly rate for shopping time is £52.
T&Cs and Minimum Charges apply. When we calculate the price, we also take into consideration the area's dimensions and the time of the appointment. All prices and deals are valid for areas within M25. Deals cannot be combined with any other deals and promotions. Prices are subject to availability. Congestion charges are excluded (when applicable).Need a safer, more reliable electrical system?
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Fuse Box?
In 2026, a consumer unit replacement costs £450–£750 across most of the UK and £700–£1,200 in London. A standard 10-circuit unit typically runs £470–£650 outside London, with the unit type and any remedial work being the main price factors.
What Is The Difference Between A Fuse Box And A Consumer Unit?
"Fuse box" is the old term for the unit that distributes and protects a home's circuits. Modern replacements are called consumer units and use RCDs or RCBOs and circuit breakers instead of rewireable fuses, offering far better shock and fault protection.
When Should A Fuse Box Be Replaced?
Consider replacement if the unit is over 20 years old, has rewireable fuses or no RCD protection, shows scorch marks or a burning smell, or trips frequently. An EICR will confirm whether an upgrade is needed.
Is Replacing A Consumer Unit Notifiable Under Part P?
Yes. Replacing a consumer unit is notifiable work in England and Wales and must be carried out by a registered electrician or signed off by Building Control. The electrician issues a certificate and notifies the work on completion.
How Long Does A Fuse Box Replacement Take?
A straightforward replacement usually takes 4–6 hours. Larger boards, awkward access or remedial work on the existing installation can extend it to a full day.
Why Does The Price Vary So Much?
The main reasons are the type and size of the unit and the condition of the existing installation. If testing reveals faulty earthing, bonding or old cabling, that must be put right before the new unit can be certified, which adds to the total.
What Is The Difference Between An RCD And An RCBO?
An RCD (residual current device) protects a group of circuits against earth faults and shock, so a single fault can cut power to several circuits at once. An RCBO combines that protection with an individual circuit breaker for one circuit only, so a fault trips just that circuit. A high-integrity board using RCBOs costs a little more but is far more convenient day to day, which is why it is now the common choice.
Sources (market research, 2026): Checkatrade, MyBuilder, MyJobQuote, Housekeep and regional electrical providers. All prices are indicative market ranges and should be verified against Fantastic Services' live pricing before publication.
