Thinking about a fuse board change but not sure what actually happens when we turn up? Here is the whole job, start to finish, from a Leicestershire electrician who fits them every week.
- Most homes take one day: roughly 4 to 6 hours fitting, then at least 3 hours of testing.
- Your power is off for part of the day, not all of it. We tell you before we start.
- You get an Electrical Installation Certificate and we notify Building Control through NAPIT for you.
- Your price is fixed in writing before we begin. Get an instant estimate with our calculator.
Old fuse box or modern consumer unit: what is the difference?
A "fuse board" and a "consumer unit" are the same thing. The difference is the protection inside. Older boards rely on rewirable fuses or basic breakers. A modern board protects every circuit separately with an RCBO, which switches off in a fraction of a second if there is a fault or a shock risk.
With an all-RCBO board, a fault on one circuit only trips that circuit. You are not left in the dark across the whole house.
What happens on the day, step by step
- Arrive and walk through (15 minutes)We confirm the plan with you, protect the floor around the board and show you where everything will be.
- Isolate the supply (power goes off)We switch off at the meter and prove it is dead before touching anything.
- Strip out the old boardEvery circuit is identified and labelled as it comes off, so nothing gets mixed up.
- Fit and wire the new unitNew consumer unit mounted, with 25mm tails and a proper tail gland, and each circuit connected neatly to its own bi-directional RCBO.
- Test every circuit (at least 3 hours)Insulation resistance, earth fault loop impedance, RCD trip times and polarity are all checked and recorded. This is the part that cannot be rushed.
- Power back on and handoverWe switch on, check your appliances, label the board and talk you through it.
- Certificate and notificationYou receive an Electrical Installation Certificate, and we notify Building Control through our NAPIT registration. No extra council fee for you.
How much does a fuse board change cost in Leicestershire?
The price depends mostly on how many circuits you have. As a rough guide, this is what a new consumer unit with bi-directional RCBOs on every circuit costs, fitted, tested and certified, including VAT:
| Size of home | Rough price |
|---|---|
| Smaller home (around 6 circuits) | From about £780 |
| Average home (8 to 10 circuits) | About £900 to £1,050 |
| Larger home (12 or more circuits) | About £1,200 to £1,600+ |
These are rough guide prices only. Your exact price depends on your circuits and the work your board needs, and extra work such as earthing and bonding upgrades, moving the board or fixing problems found during testing is quoted separately and agreed before we start. For the full breakdown see our complete fuse board cost guide.
Get your exact price with our calculator
What you get with a CPB fuse board change
Fixed quote
Agreed in writing before we start. No surprises on the day.
Quality boards
We fit quality consumer units with bi-directional RCBOs on every circuit, so they suit solar panels, batteries and EV chargers.
Full certification
Electrical Installation Certificate and Building Control notification.
Tidy and clear
We protect your floors, clean up and explain everything.
Ready for solar panels, batteries and EV chargers
If you have solar panels or a home battery, or you plan to add them, your fuse board matters. Where power can flow both ways, the protection on each circuit needs to be bi-directional.
We fit bi-directional RCBOs on every circuit, so your new board is suitable for solar, a battery or an EV charger, now or later. We always check what your own system needs before we start.
Signs it is time to change your fuse board
- Rewirable fuses or a very old plastic or wooden box
- No RCD protection, or the board has no labels
- Regular tripping, buzzing or a burning smell
- Scorch marks, cracked casing or warm switches
- You are adding an EV charger, shower or extension
- An EICR has flagged the board as unsatisfactory (C2 or C3 on the report)
Not sure? An electrical safety check (EICR) tells you exactly where you stand. You can also read more about our fuse board upgrades service.
Fuse board change questions we get asked
How long will the power be off?
For most homes the power is off for the fitting stage, usually around 4 to 6 hours. We plan around you and can leave temporary power for the fridge if needed.
Do I need to be at home?
Someone needs to be there at the start and the end. In between, you are welcome to pop out.
Will you make a mess of my walls?
Usually no. The new board goes where the old one was, so there is very little making good. We tell you in advance if any is likely.
Do I need a new board if I only have an old fuse box?
Not legally for an existing installation, but modern RCBO protection is much safer, and any new circuit (such as an EV charger) normally needs it. We will tell you honestly what is needed.
Do you cover my area?
We are based in Broughton Astley and cover Leicester, Blaby, Enderby, Narborough, Countesthorpe, Wigston, Oadby, Kibworth, Lutterworth and the surrounding villages.
Ready for a fixed price?
Tell us about your property and we will give you a clear written quote, with no obligation.
Director, CPB Electrical Installations Ltd. NAPIT registered electrician, Broughton Astley, Leicestershire.