How much does it cost to replace a fuse box in Essex?

A straightforward consumer unit (fuse box) replacement in Essex and East London typically costs around £450–£750 in 2026. With extras such as earthing and bonding upgrades, additional circuits, surge protection or relocating the board, expect roughly £700–£1,200 or more. Every job is confirmed with a free, fixed quote.

What is included in a fuse box replacement?

A modern metal consumer unit with the right RCD or RCBO protection for each circuit, isolation of the supply, full testing of every circuit, an Electrical Installation Certificate, and notification to building control under Part P where required. Any earthing or bonding that is needed to meet current regulations is usually part of the job.

How long does it take to replace a consumer unit?

Most consumer unit replacements are done in a single day — typically 4–6 hours including testing and certification. Installations that also need earthing or bonding upgrades can take a little longer.

Fuse Box Replacement Cost in Essex (2026)

The short answer

As a rough 2026 guide across Essex and East London:

Straightforward swap (like-for-like, modern board, good existing earthing) — around £450–£750
With upgrades (earthing/bonding work, extra circuits, surge protection) — around £700–£1,200
Larger or more complex jobs (board relocation, many circuits, remedial work found on test) — £1,200+

These are guide figures only. The exact price is always confirmed with a free, fixed quote after we've seen the board — and you'll know the number before any work begins.

What's included

A proper consumer unit replacement is more than swapping a box on the wall. With us the price covers:

A modern metal-clad consumer unit with the right RCD/RCBO protection for each circuit
Safe isolation of the supply and fitting of the new board
Full testing of every circuit once it's installed
Your Electrical Installation Certificate, with notification to building control under Part P where required
Any earthing and main bonding needed to meet current BS 7671 regulations

What affects the price

Two fuse box jobs that look similar can come out at different prices. The main factors are:

Board size — the number of circuits (ways) the unit needs to take.
RCBO vs split-load — a full RCBO board (individual protection per circuit) costs a little more than a split-load RCD board, but means a single fault won't black out the whole house.
Earthing & bonding — if the existing earthing or gas/water bonding isn't up to standard, that's brought up to scratch as part of the work.
Surge protection (SPD) and AFDDs — increasingly common and worth considering, especially with sensitive electronics or EV charging.
Relocating the board — moving it to a new position adds time and materials.
Remedial work found on testing — occasionally testing uncovers a fault that needs fixing before the board can be signed off. We'll always tell you before doing anything extra.

Do I actually need a new fuse box?

It's worth replacing your consumer unit if you have an old board with rewireable (ceramic) fuses, no RCD protection (no "test" button), a wooden or older plastic enclosure, or signs of trouble like scorch marks, a burning smell or breakers that keep tripping. A new board is also usually part of a rewire and is often needed when adding an EV charger. See the full fuse box replacement service for the signs to look for.

How long does it take?

Most replacements are completed in a single day — typically 4–6 hours including testing and certification. Your power is only off for the part of the day the board is actually being changed, and we'll let you know in advance so you can plan around it.

Get an exact price

Try our instant estimate tool for a quick guide, then we confirm a fixed quote at a free, no-obligation visit — or just call 07912 284977. If your board's tripping rather than just old, our guide to why a fuse box keeps tripping is a good place to start.