UK cost guide

Consumer Unit Replacement Cost UK 2026

Current UK consumer-unit and fuse-box replacement costs by circuit count and property size, including RCBO supply, installation, inspection and relocation extras.

Last reviewed: 1 September 2026 · Sources & data · Methodology

Typical planning costAbout £485 for a 10-way RCBO unit installed
Broader project rangeAbout £350–£800 for many straightforward replacements
Planning figures are estimates rather than quotations. Live calculators combine dated UK benchmarks with clearly separated modelling assumptions such as region, size, condition and specification.

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Compare consumer unit replacement costs by property size →

What affects the cost?

Consumer-unit cost is driven mainly by circuit count, board configuration and defects found in the existing installation. Current Checkatrade guidance gives about £485 for a populated 10-way RCBO consumer unit including installation, with smaller six-circuit homes starting around £350 and larger 12-plus-circuit homes reaching about £800. Electrical inspection, remedial faults and relocation should be checked as separate line items.

  • Number of circuits
  • RCBO, MCB/RCD or other configuration
  • Condition of existing wiring
  • Electrical inspection and testing
  • Meter tails, bonding and remedial faults
  • Moving the consumer unit
  • Property size and regional labour

Typical cost breakdown

10-way MCB board · supply onlyAbout £120
10-way RCBO board · supply onlyAbout £250
Consumer unit installation labourAbout £160
Typical 10-way RCBO replacement installedAbout £485
6-circuit smaller homeFrom about £350
12+ circuit larger homeUp to about £800
Terraced propertyAbout £350
Semi-detached propertyAbout £550
Large detached propertyAbout £750
Electrical inspectionAbout £210
Move consumer unitAround £400
Move unit + incoming mains cable£2,000+

Regional planning examples

The examples below apply our published modelling factor to the same national benchmark. They are not claimed as observed city-wide average quotes.

London£370–£860
Manchester£340–£790
Birmingham£350–£800
Glasgow£350–£790
Cardiff£340–£780

Consumer unit replacement costs by location

Open a detailed city page to see the same national benchmark adjusted through the transparent regional model, with local planning considerations and worked examples.

Sources used for this guide

Checkatrade

Consumer Unit Replacement Cost Guide

Published / checked: Cost table updated June 2026

Used for: Consumer unit supply, installation, inspection and common complete replacement benchmarks

View source ↗

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to replace a consumer unit in 2026?

A current typical benchmark is about £485 for a populated 10-way RCBO consumer unit including installation. Straightforward projects often sit around £350–£800 depending on circuit count.

How much is a consumer unit for a semi-detached house?

Current property-size examples put a semi-detached home around £550 supplied and installed when the existing wiring is in good condition and no relocation is required.

Does the consumer unit price include an electrical inspection?

Do not assume it does. Checkatrade lists an electrical inspection around £210 as a separate benchmark, so the quote should say whether testing is included.

Can an old fuse box simply be replaced if wiring faults are found?

Defects identified during testing may need remedial work before the new consumer unit can be certified. This is one reason quotes can exceed the headline replacement benchmark.

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