House Fuse Box Replacement Cost: 5 Essential Price Factors

House fuse box replacement cost in the UK usually falls between about £350 and £750 for a straightforward swap to a modern consumer unit, according to 2026 price data. Your final price depends on the number of circuits, the type of unit, and what the electrician finds when they test your wiring.

This guide explains where those figures come from, what pushes the price up or down, and what you get for your money. Prices vary by property, so treat every figure here as a guide, not a quote.

Typical House Fuse Box Replacement Cost in 2026

Two published sources give a useful picture of house fuse box replacement cost. Neither is our own price list, and both say costs vary by property.

• MyJobQuote (updated 1 October 2026): £350–£750 overall for a replacement including materials and labour, with an average job of around £525. A 10-circuit unit is typically £470–£650.
• MyJobQuote regional figures: £500–£700 in the South East, £470–£650 in the Midlands and £550–£800+ in London.
• Homebuilding & Renovating magazine (9 April 2025, figures from Luceco): from around £600 for smaller properties and at least £750 for a typical three-bedroom house, with labour of £500–£800.

The gap between those house fuse box replacement cost ranges is normal. It reflects differences in property size, unit type and how much testing and remedial work is included.

What a house fuse box replacement cost usually includes

A fair quote should include the new consumer unit, removal of the old fuse box, connection of existing circuits, full testing, an Electrical Installation Certificate and Building Regulations notification. If any of those are missing, ask why.

5 Essential Factors Behind the Price

The house fuse box replacement cost you are quoted comes down to five main things.

1. Number of circuits

More circuits mean a larger board and more connections to test. MyJobQuote lists 6-circuit replacements at £350–£500 and 12-circuit replacements at £610–£850.

2. Type of consumer unit

A board with individual RCBOs on each circuit costs more than a dual-RCD board, but a single fault then trips only one circuit instead of half the house. Homebuilding & Renovating puts a standard unit at £60–£150 to buy, depending on spec.

3. Condition of the existing wiring

This is the biggest unknown in any house fuse box replacement cost. Modern RCD protection is far more sensitive than old rewireable fuses. If a circuit has a hidden fault, such as damaged insulation, the new board may trip as soon as it is switched on. That fault must be found and fixed before the job can be signed off.

4. Earthing and bonding

Older homes sometimes lack main protective bonding to the water or gas pipes. MyJobQuote lists earth bonding work at £150–£300 when it is needed.

5. Location and access

A board in an awkward cupboard, or one that needs to be moved, adds time. Relocating a unit is priced separately and can add several hundred pounds.

Why the Price Can Change on the Day

This is the part most homeowners do not expect. A house fuse box replacement cost can rise once testing starts, because the electrician must confirm every circuit is safe before connecting it to the new board.

A good electrician explains any extra work and its price before doing it. In our experience, the best way to avoid surprises is to have the installation tested first. An EICR shows faults up front, so your quote can include them.

Old Fuse Box vs Modern Consumer Unit

An old fuse box often has ceramic holders with fuse wire, a wooden back board and no RCD protection. A modern consumer unit uses circuit breakers and RCDs that cut the power quickly if current leaks to earth, reducing the risk of electric shock.

NICEIC recommends replacing a fuse box with a modern consumer unit if your home still has one. It also notes that consumer units in homes must have enclosures made from non-combustible material, and that most, if not all, circuits should be RCD-protected.

An old fuse box is not automatically dangerous. If it has been tested and is in good condition, it may be safe to use for now. But it offers far less protection than a modern unit.

Signs You Need a Replacement

• Rewireable fuses, a wooden back board or no RCD protection.
• Scorch marks, a burning smell or a board that feels warm.
• Fuses blowing or breakers tripping more often than before.
• An EICR coded C1 or C2 against the board.
• Plans for an extension, EV charger or new kitchen that need extra circuits.

If you see scorch marks or smell burning, do not wait for a quote. Switch off at the main switch if it is safe to do so and call an emergency electrician.

Certificates and Building Regulations

Replacing a consumer unit is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations in England. NICEIC says it must be done by a registered competent person or approved by Local Authority Building Control.

Using a registered electrician means the notification is handled for you. MyJobQuote estimates Building Control fees at £120–£200 if you use an unregistered electrician instead. That is another reason the lowest headline house fuse box replacement cost is not always the cheapest job.

You should receive an Electrical Installation Certificate and, later, a Building Regulations compliance certificate. Keep both. You will need them when you sell the house.

How Long Does It Take?

Labour time is a large part of any house fuse box replacement cost. Most replacements take four to eight hours, according to both sources above. Your power will be off for most of that time. Plan for no heating controls, Wi-Fi or fridge power during the work.

Getting an Accurate Quote

The only way to know your house fuse box replacement cost is a site visit. A good electrician will count the circuits, check the earthing, ask about any planned work and explain what could change.

Get a written quote that lists what is included. When you compare house fuse box replacement cost quotes, check like for like, especially testing, certification and notification.

Last checked: 31 October 2026.