Are you looking for a qualified electrician to carry out a consumer unit installation in your home? Then you’re off to a good start. It’s a legal requirement that a certified electrician carries out any consumer unit installation. And for good reason.
Consumer units (also known as fuse boxes or boards) are one of your home’s most important safety devices. This electrical component controls and distributes power safely and efficiently.
Keep reading for all the information you need about consumer unit installation. But first, let’s explore how to find a qualified electrician for your consumer unit installation.
How to find a qualified consumer unit installer near me
Look through our approved tradespeople by searching your postcode in the box below. You’ll be able to see your Checkatrade-approved and highly-rated electricians for a consumer unit installation near you.
Short on time? You can request a quote and let our members contact you!
How much does it cost to fit a new consumer unit?
Are you ready to contact a consumer unit installer near you? Before contacting them, having a steer of how much a qualified electrician charges is a good idea.
We also recommend getting at least three quotes from qualified professionals. That way, you can make sure you’re getting the best tradesperson and price for the job.
As a guide, here are some of the average consumer unit installer costs:
- The cost of a populated consumer unit (10 way RCBOs) (£250)
- The cost to install the consumer unit (£160)
- The average cost to remove a fuse box (£75)
- Electrical inspection (£210)
Feel like digging deeper into the pricing? Explore our guides summarising the cost of replacing fuse box with a consumer unit and electrician hourly rates.
Questions to ask a consumer unit installer near you
You’ve found the consumer unit installers near you, but which electrician will you entrust with the job? There is understandably a lot to consider. Firstly, regulations on how your consumer unit is fitted are regularly updated. Secondly, there are different types of consumer units available.
Read on as we share the questions to ask – so you can be confident you’re hiring the right professional based on their responses. There’s also a handy checklist of key considerations.
Do you have insurance?
Reputable electricians for consumer unit installation will always have public liability insurance to offer protection if things go wrong. That’s why all Checkatrade members listed in our directory have current public liability insurance for your peace of mind.
What type of consumer unit would you recommend installing?
There are four types of consumer units, and they all have different benefits. Generally, the ‘main switch’ and ‘dual RCD’ consumer units are the most common in a home.
Your qualified electrician will guide you on what type of consumer unit is right for your home and current electricity usage. You can also find plenty more information about the type of consumer units available in our expert advice guide to consumer units.
Will you issue me with an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC)?
All installations of new consumer units will have an EIC issued by a qualified electrician to confirm the work complies with IEE wiring regulations.
Will my consumer unit installation comply with the latest regulations?
Any qualified, reputable electrician will know that your consumer unit installation must comply with the 18th edition consumer unit requirements issued in 2022. In a nutshell, it means all electrical circuits must be protected from overload (which can result in fires) and residual current leakage (which can result in electric shocks).
Whereabouts in my home should the consumer unit be installed?
Historically, fuse boxes and consumer units were installed under wooden stairs or in a wooden cupboard. However, as the materials of the consumer units are highly combustible, this is now viewed as a fire hazard.
Today’s current guidance is to have a metal consumer unit installed. Alternatively, the consumer unit can be installed in a non-combustible enclosure.
When will your qualified electrician take payment?
Your electrician shouldn’t ask for full payment upfront. Instead, you should be able to process at least part of the payment after the job is complete.
Will the consumer unit installation come with a guarantee?
If you hire a consumer unit installer through Checkatrade, we guarantee their work up to £1,000. Guaranteed for 12 months – Eligibility and T&Cs apply.
Contact or pay a trade through Checkatrade and you’re covered by our 12-month guarantee of up to £1,000*
Some final considerations for your consumer unit installation
- The larger your home, the higher the capacity consumer unit you’ll need
- You might need to fit a second consumer unit if you add electrical circuits to an extension in an existing building or an outbuilding
- Consumer units should be fitted so their switches are between 1350mm and 1450mm above floor level
- A consumer unit should be fitted at least 150mm away from a gas meter
- It’s good to get into the habit of occasionally opening the lid to your consumer unit and checking there are no cables exposed
- Finally, it’s wise to have a qualified electrician carry out an inspection every ten years to check that your whole house’s electronics and wiring are safe
Ready to find a consumer unit installer near you?
Here are three handy steps for choosing the right qualified electrician for the job.
- Use a professional directory
Take the hard work out of searching and start with a professional directory (like Checkatrade!)
We’re so confident in the quality of the trades on Checkatrade that if you book through us, we guarantee their work up to £1,000. Guaranteed for 12 months – Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply.
- Read online reviews
Hearing about past customers’ experiences is always a great way to check the quality and professionalism of a tradesperson.
Here at Checkatrade, we check all online reviews to ensure they’re from real people and that trades meet our high standards.
- Compare quotes
Getting at least three quotes from qualified professionals is always a smart move. That way, you can be sure you’re getting the best tradesperson and price for the job.
Ready to find highly rated and approved electricians in your area for your consumer unit installation? Search your postcode to get started.
FAQs
Can I install a consumer unit myself?
Unless you are a fully qualified electrician, you mustn’t try to replace your own consumer unit. It is a legal requirement for this type of electrical work to always be carried out by a certified professional. What’s more, if installed incorrectly, you could injure yourself and put both your family and home at risk.
Who can install a consumer unit?
A consumer unit installation is one of the most important investments you can make to keep your home and loved ones safe. That’s why, legally, this job should only ever be carried out by a certified electrician.
How long does it take to fit a new consumer unit?
Fitting a new consumer unit could take around 4-5 hours for a smaller unit in a one-bedroom apartment, up to two days’ work for a larger home with more complex requirements. Your installer will undertake an initial assessment to give you a clearer timeframe for the work.
What’s the difference between a consumer unit and a fuse box?
You certainly won’t be the first person to ask this question. It’s confusing, for sure. Simply put, the term ‘fuse box’ refers to older models that use fuses to protect circuits.
In contrast, modern consumer units use circuit breakers or RCDs (residual current devices) for protection instead. This means consumer units detect electrical faults and instantly turn off the power, making our homes much safer.