Consumer unit (fuse box) replacement cost in Bolton & Wigan
Replacing an old fuse box with a modern consumer unit is one of the most common jobs in Bolton and Wigan’s older houses. A new board gives every circuit RCD protection, and current regulations usually call for surge protection too.
Prices checked November 2026
Consumer unit (fuse box) replacement prices, 2026
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Like-for-like, few circuits | £400 – £550 |
| Dual-RCD board, up to 10 circuits | £450 – £700 |
| RCBO board with surge protection | £550 – £800 |
| Larger 12–16 way board or moving the board | £700 – £900 |
Outside London, including VAT where it applies. Most of the ten electricians answering on MyJobQuote in January 2026 quoted between about £450 and £850, and one gave £450 to £800 for an average 2 to 3 bed house.
Usually included
- The new consumer unit with its RCDs or RCBOs
- Removing and disposing of the old fuse box
- Testing every circuit before and after
- An Electrical Installation Certificate and Part P notification
Often extra
- Fixing earthing, bonding or faulty circuits found during testing
- Replacing damaged cable or a partial rewire
- Moving the board to a new position
- Making good the wall around the board
What changes the price
- RCBOs or RCDs
- An RCBO on every circuit costs more but means one fault only trips one circuit.
- Number of circuits
- More circuits means a bigger board and more connections to test.
- What testing finds
- The quote assumes the existing circuits are healthy. Faults on old wiring are the most common surprise.
- Earthing and bonding
- Older houses often need new main earth or bonding to gas and water pipes before a board can be signed off.
How long it takes
Usually 4 to 6 hours, so expect the power to be off for most of a day. Faults found during testing can stretch it further.
Rules and certificates
Replacing a consumer unit is notifiable under Part P, so use a registered electrician who will notify building control. Since 2016 a new domestic consumer unit must have a non-combustible (usually metal) enclosure. You should receive an Electrical Installation Certificate and, within a few weeks, a Building Regulations compliance certificate.
Questions people ask
Do I have to replace an old fuse box?
Not by law if it is working safely, but an old board with rewireable fuses and no RCD protection will normally be flagged on an EICR, and landlords must act on that.
Why did my electrician say the board can’t go in until faults are fixed?
RCDs trip on faults that an old fuse box ignores. If a circuit has a fault, the new board will keep tripping, and the electrician cannot sign off a circuit that fails its tests. Finding faults is part of the job, not an excuse.
RCBO or dual-RCD board?
A dual-RCD board is cheaper. An RCBO board protects each circuit on its own, so a fault in the kitchen does not take out the upstairs lights. Most electricians now recommend RCBOs.
Sources
The figures above come from these published guides, checked in November 2026. They are UK ranges, not quotes or Bolton and Wigan averages. How we price.