If your house still has an old-fashioned fuse box with wooden backing and rewirable fuse wire, it's time for an upgrade. Modern consumer units are the heart of your home's electrical safety, but how much should you expect to pay for a replacement?
Average replacement costs
A standard consumer unit replacement for a 3-bedroom semi-detached house typically costs between £450 and £650, depending on the complexity of the job and your location.
Why do you need to upgrade?
Old fuse boxes simply weren't designed to handle the load of modern living. Think about it: electric showers, EV chargers, induction hobs—these all draw massive amounts of power. Upgrading to a new unit with RCBOs means that if one circuit faults, you won't lose power to the entire house. Plus, mandatory Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) will stop power spikes from frying your expensive electronics.
Are landlords required to upgrade?
Yes. If you're renting out a property, an obsolete board will almost certainly result in an instant 'C2' failure on your EICR. Under current legislation, you cannot legally rent a property with an unsatisfactory electrical certificate.
Expert tip: Never attempt to swap a consumer unit yourself. This is strictly a job for a Part P registered electrician who can provide the necessary compliance certificates to building control.