Fuseboard & Consumer Unit Upgrades — Safe, Compliant, Modern
Modern fuseboard upgrades for homeowners and landlords. Replace outdated wire-fuse boxes with safer RCBO consumer units that protect against electrical fires and shocks. Same-day quotes, fast installation, NICEIC-certified work.
Old Fuseboards Are a Fire and Shock Risk
If your fuseboard still has rewireable fuses, plastic enclosures or no RCD protection, your property is operating below modern electrical safety standards. Modern consumer units use individual RCBOs that protect every circuit against earth faults and overloads — and house everything in metal enclosures that contain electrical fires. Upgrading is one of the most impactful safety investments you can make.
Modern RCBO Protection
Each circuit gets its own RCBO — combining MCB overcurrent protection with RCD earth-fault protection. If one circuit trips, others stay live.
Metal Enclosure Safety
All consumer units installed since 2016 must be metal-enclosed under BS 7671. Contains electrical fires and meets current regulations.
Insurance & Sale Compliance
Many home insurers and mortgage lenders flag old wire-fuse boxes. Upgrading often reduces premiums and removes obstacles to remortgaging or sale.
Same-Day Installation
Most domestic consumer unit replacements completed in a single day. Power off for 4-6 hours during the work, full restoration before we leave.
Building Control Notification
Consumer unit replacement is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations. We notify and certify — no admin for you.
Pre-Install Inspection
Free survey to confirm circuit count, board location, supply arrangement and any required pre-work (e.g. supplementary earthing).
Why Choose Strata for Your Fuseboard Upgrade
Consumer unit upgrades are among the most common electrical jobs we do — and we don’t treat them as routine. Our NICEIC-registered electricians inspect the existing installation properly, check for hidden issues (poor earthing, damaged wiring, outdated cables) and quote honestly. We don’t surprise customers with unexpected extras on the day. Where the survey reveals other concerns, we explain options and pricing transparently before any work starts.
What's Included as Standard
- Free pre-install survey
- Quality MK, Hager or Wylex consumer unit
- RCBOs on every circuit
- Metal enclosure (BS 7671 compliant)
- Surge protection device
- Earth bonding check & upgrade if needed
- Building control notification
- NICEIC compliance certificate
Signs Your Fuseboard Needs Replacing
Some fuseboards need urgent replacement. Others can wait — but waiting too long means risk and rising regulatory pressure. Here are the most common warning signs.
Pre-2008 Installation
If your consumer unit predates 2008, it likely has plastic casing and no RCD protection. Both fall short of current safety standards.
Wire / Cartridge Fuses
Old rewireable wire fuses or cartridge fuses have no RCD protection and offer poor fault response. Replacement is strongly recommended.
Frequent Trips
Repeatedly tripping fuses or RCDs often indicate either overloaded circuits or a degraded consumer unit. Investigation and upgrade resolve both.
Heat Damage / Burn Marks
Discolouration, melted plastic or smell of overheating around the board are urgent. Stop using affected circuits and call us immediately.
EICR C2 Findings
If your last EICR returned C2 codes related to the consumer unit, an upgrade is the most direct route to compliance.
Insurance Demand
Many home insurers now exclude or surcharge properties with old fuse boxes. An upgrade often pays back in premium reduction.
Common Questions
How much does a fuseboard upgrade cost?
Standard domestic consumer unit replacement typically costs between £550 and £950, depending on circuit count, consumer unit brand and any additional work required (earthing upgrades, supplementary bonding). Free no-obligation quote available.
How long will my power be off?
Most consumer unit replacements require power off for 4 to 6 hours. We agree the timing in advance — usually a working day mid-morning to mid-afternoon. Fridges and freezers stay safely cold; we plan around medical equipment, home offices and similar critical needs.
Do I need to upgrade if my fuseboard works fine?
Working fine isn’t the same as safe. Old wire-fuse boxes can operate for decades while quietly being non-compliant with current safety standards. We always advise an upgrade if your consumer unit predates 2008 or lacks RCD protection — particularly for landlords (where EICR compliance becomes the legal trigger).
Will you have to make a mess?
Consumer unit replacement is generally a clean job. Some chasing or surface trunking may be needed if cable routes have changed. We dust-sheet the work area and clean up before leaving. Damage to plaster or decoration is rare and discussed in advance if anticipated.
Do I need building control approval?
Yes — consumer unit replacement is notifiable work under Part P. We handle the notification through our NICEIC registration and you receive a Building Control compliance certificate alongside the NICEIC test certificate.
Can you do this for a rental property while tenants are in?
Yes — we regularly carry out landlord upgrades with tenants in occupation. The 4-6 hour power-off window is agreed in advance and tenants are given full notice. Most tenants appreciate the upgrade for the safety improvement.
Will my new fuseboard fit in the same place?
Usually yes. Modern consumer units are similar in size to older boards, though slightly larger overall to accommodate the metal enclosure and surge device. If a relocation is needed, we agree this and price it before work starts.
Upgrade Your Electrical Safety Today
Get a free no-obligation quote. Most installs completed within a week. NICEIC-certified, building-control-notified, properly safe.