The consumer unit is the heart of your installation. Many homes in Newcastle still have rewireable fuses, plastic boards or a single RCD protecting half the house. That means one fault can knock off the lights and sockets together, and older boards offer little protection against electric shock or fire.
We fit metal-clad consumer units with an RCBO on each circuit, so a fault on one circuit only affects that circuit. Every board we install includes surge protection where the regulations require it, and we can add arc fault detection devices (AFDDs) for extra fire protection in bedrooms, HMOs and timber-framed homes.
Before any board change we test the existing circuits. A new board will not hide faults that are already there, so if a circuit fails its tests we tell you what is wrong and what it costs to fix before we go ahead. The work is notified to Building Control through NAPIT and you receive an Electrical Installation Certificate.
What is a consumer unit?
The consumer unit, often called the fuse box or fuse board, is where your electricity supply splits into individual circuits for lights, sockets, the cooker, shower and so on. It holds the devices that switch off a circuit when something goes wrong: fuses or circuit breakers for overloads and short circuits, and RCDs that disconnect in milliseconds if current leaks to earth, for example through a person.
Older boards were built to protect the cables. Modern boards also protect people and the building, with RCD protection on every circuit, surge protection, and optional arc fault detection to catch the type of loose connection that starts fires.
Signs you need a new consumer unit
- You still have rewireable fuses (the ones with fuse wire), or a wooden back board
- The board has no RCD, or one RCD covering half the house so a single fault knocks off the lights and sockets together
- It's a plastic board installed before 2016, when the regulations started requiring non-combustible enclosures in homes
- An EICR has coded the board C2 (potentially dangerous) or C3 (improvement recommended)
- Breakers trip for no clear reason, or the board buzzes, smells or shows scorching
- You're adding an EV charger, electric shower, heat pump, kitchen or extension and there's no spare way
Types of consumer unit we fit
We fit metal-clad boards from established manufacturers. The right choice depends on your property and budget, and we'll explain the options in plain English.
| Board type | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Full RCBO board | An RCBO on every circuit, so a fault only switches off that one circuit | Most homes, rentals and anyone who hates losing all the sockets to one fault |
| Dual RCD board | Circuits split across two RCDs | Tighter budgets where some shared protection is acceptable |
| RCBO board with AFDDs | Adds arc fault detection on selected circuits | HMOs, bedrooms, timber-framed homes and higher-risk properties |
| Three-phase distribution board | Board for three-phase supplies | Commercial units and larger properties |
How a consumer unit replacement works
- Survey and test. Before quoting we check the existing circuits, earthing and bonding. A new board won't hide faults that are already there, so if a circuit fails its tests we tell you what's wrong and what it costs to fix.
- Fixed quote. You get a written fixed price covering the board, any bonding upgrades and certification. No surprises on the day.
- Installation day. We isolate the supply, remove the old board, fit and connect the new one, and upgrade main protective bonding to gas and water if needed. We plan around your fridge, freezer and heating.
- Testing and labelling. Every circuit is tested, labelled and recorded on a printed schedule inside the board.
- Certification. You receive an Electrical Installation Certificate. As a NAPIT-registered contractor we notify Building Control for you, and you'll receive a Building Regulations compliance certificate in the post.
How long does it take?
Most domestic consumer unit replacements in Newcastle take between half a day and a full day. A typical Tyneside flat or terrace with 6 to 10 circuits is usually finished the same day. Larger houses, boards that need moving, or circuits needing remedial work take longer. The power is off for part of the day, not all of it.
How much does a consumer unit replacement cost in Newcastle?
Our consumer unit replacements start from £850, including the board, labour, testing and certification. The final price depends on a few things, and you get a fixed quote before we start.
- The number of circuits, and whether you choose RCBOs on every circuit
- Whether main protective bonding to gas and water pipes needs upgrading
- Whether any existing circuits fail testing and need remedial work
- Whether the board needs to move, for example out of a cupboard under the stairs
- Optional extras such as AFDDs or a spare way for a future EV charger
Be wary of very cheap quotes that skip pre-installation testing. If a circuit has a hidden fault, a new RCBO board will trip on it, and someone has to find and fix the fault before the job can be signed off.
Regulations and certification
Replacing a consumer unit in a home is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations. It must either be done by a registered competent person or notified to Building Control separately, which costs more and takes longer. NE1 Electrical is NAPIT registered, so we self-certify and handle the notification for you.
All work is designed and tested to the current Wiring Regulations, BS 7671 (18th Edition). That includes RCD protection for socket and lighting circuits, surge protection where required, and a non-combustible enclosure for domestic boards.
Why choose NE1 Electrical for your consumer unit?
- Pre-installation testing on every job, so no surprises halfway through
- Metal RCBO boards from established manufacturers, fitted neatly with tidy cable dressing
- Fixed price agreed before we start
- NAPIT registered: Building Control notification included
- 5-year labour guarantee and 5.0 Google rating
- Local to you: based in Newcastle upon Tyne
Prices
| Job | From | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer unit replacement | £850 | Metal board with RCBOs and surge protection |
Starting prices including labour. You get a fixed quote before work starts. All prices
Consumer Unit Replacement across Newcastle
We provide consumer unit replacement throughout Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead, including:
- Consumer Unit Replacement Newcastle City Centre
- Consumer Unit Replacement Jesmond
- Consumer Unit Replacement Gosforth
- Consumer Unit Replacement Heaton
- Consumer Unit Replacement Byker
- Consumer Unit Replacement Walker
- Consumer Unit Replacement Shieldfield
- Consumer Unit Replacement Sandyford
- Consumer Unit Replacement Benwell
- Consumer Unit Replacement Fenham
- Consumer Unit Replacement Elswick
- Consumer Unit Replacement Scotswood
- Consumer Unit Replacement Kenton
- Consumer Unit Replacement Longbenton
- Consumer Unit Replacement Wallsend
- Consumer Unit Replacement Gateshead
Questions about consumer unit replacement
How long does a consumer unit replacement take?
Most domestic board changes in Newcastle take half a day to a full day. The power is off for part of that time, and we plan around fridges, freezers and heating.
How much does a new consumer unit cost in Newcastle?
Our consumer unit replacements start from £850 including testing and certification. The final price depends on the number of circuits, bonding and any remedial work, and is fixed before we start.
Do I need a new consumer unit if my EICR was satisfactory?
Not necessarily. A satisfactory EICR means the installation is safe to keep using. Many people still upgrade for RCBO protection or before adding new circuits.
Will I need a rewire as well?
Usually not. We test the existing circuits first. If any fail, we tell you which and what it costs to fix. Only very old wiring needs a full rewire.
Is a consumer unit change notifiable under Part P?
Yes. Because we're NAPIT registered we notify Building Control for you, and you receive a compliance certificate.
Can you add a spare way for an EV charger?
Yes. We can size the board with spare ways for an EV charger, heat pump or future extension.
Do you replace consumer units in rented properties and HMOs?
Yes, regularly. We work with landlords and letting agents across Jesmond, Heaton, Sandyford and the city centre, and can fit AFDDs where they're recommended.