If you’ve been told your fuse board is outdated, or you’re planning electrical work and keep hearing the words “consumer unit upgrade”, the next question is usually the same: How much does it cost?
How Much Does a Consumer Unit Upgrade Cost?
The honest answer is there’s a typical price range, but the final cost depends on a few key factors. This guide explains what a consumer unit upgrade involves, what you can expect to pay, and why prices can vary.
What is a consumer unit?
A consumer unit (often called a fuse board) is the heart of your home’s electrical system. It distributes electricity to all circuits and provides protection if something goes wrong.
Modern consumer units use RCBOs and surge protection, which help protect people, appliances, and sensitive electronics. Older boards often lack this level of protection and may no longer meet current safety standards.
Typical cost of a consumer unit upgrade
For a standard domestic property in the Worthing and Rustington area, you can expect:
£750 – £1,100 + VAT
This usually includes:
- Supply of a modern metal consumer unit
- RCBO protection on each circuit
- Surge protection
- Safe isolation and installation
- Full testing and certification
- Notification to Building Control where required
What affects the price?
1. Number of circuits
More circuits means more components, more testing, and more time.
2. Condition of existing wiring
If wiring is unsafe or incorrectly labelled, extra work may be needed before the board can be certified.
3. Access and location
Tight cupboards, high-level boards, or awkward locations can increase labour time.
4. Bonding upgrades
If gas or water bonding is missing or undersized, this must be corrected to meet regulations.
5. Additional faults
Upgrading a board can sometimes reveal existing issues on circuits that need attention.
Cheap vs proper installation
A low price often means:
- Shared RCD protection instead of RCBOs
- No surge protection
- Rushed testing
- Minimal fault checking
A proper upgrade focuses on long-term safety and reliability, not just ticking a box.
Is a consumer unit upgrade worth it?
In most cases, yes. Benefits include:
- Improved electrical safety
- Reduced nuisance tripping
- Better protection for appliances
- Compliance with current regulations
- Added value and reassurance for future buyers
Final thoughts
A consumer unit upgrade isn’t something you do often, but it’s one of the most important electrical improvements you can make.
If you’d like clear advice or a fixed quote after a site visit, a local electrician can assess your setup and explain your options clearly.
