CU replacement cost

[Olliecampbell]

Hello,

Excuse the probably very naive first question but I've just moved into a new house that has one of these:

Untitled

• Olliecampbell
• 9 Jul 2012
• 1

I'd like to upgrade it to something a bit newer!

What would the rough costs be?

Thanks in advance

Ollie

 

[RF Lighting]

It all depends on the condition of the wiring connected to it I'm afraid.

 

[ericmark]

Changing a consumer unit can be simple. But also it can highlight loads of errors. I had an offer with my parents house instead of fitting a mini-consumer unit for new wet room for £100 extra he would change whole consumer unit for one with RCD protection. This seemed a very good deal so I said yes. However it seems this "Electrician" was not really up to scratch and he ended up swapping the RCD for an Isolator and disappearing into the Welsh hills never to be seen again.

So I would be wary of any ultra cheap quotes. I would not even for very small house expect anything under £250. But as already said much depends on what the general installation it like. We have loads of problems where lighting circuits have been in the past split and two way switches have caused problems with neutrals. So in most cases first job is a full inspection then the unit is changed after one knows before one starts all the faults.

Since you have just moved in you should have already had an electrical inspection I would ask for a quote from same firm as they should know what the job entails for your house.

 

[TheGayOwl]

For a new CU itself ONLY it would likely be around the £400 mark.

However, earthing may need upgrading.... £150 ish.... and the house wiring, or parts of, may require changing..... £ ?????

Newer type CU's with MCB's and RCD's are more sensitive than what you have installed at present. So a fault may seemingly appear which is not readily apparent presently.

As others will say, it would be prudent to get the wiring fully tested before any changes, as this can alert you to any problems which could affect a) your wallet and b) the ability of a new CU to function without endless nuisance tripping.

The last 5 ish CU's I have changed have only required earthing to be upgraded and no further works to individual circuit cables, but that is not to say your wiring may be shot! Who knows..!

If circuit cables do need replacing this would likely involve lifting floorboards and possibly cutting out plaster channels to renew the dodgy sections of cable.

The costs above are very rough guidelines..

CU=consumer unit = fuseboard..

Dont let the above put you off though!

 

[TheGayOwl]

Since you have just moved in you should have already had an electrical inspection.

Still too rare alas Eric, quick visual checks are commonish around my way, but full PIR's, ahem, DVCR's are seldom..

Part of the trouble is, is that potential purchasers are reluctant to shell out money, partly due to them (willingly) burying their heads in the sand about potential issues. They do not want to have a rewire and ruin the nice decoration....

 

[Spark123]

What's a DVCR?

 

[wingcoax]

breakdown between controller and tool?

 

[TheGayOwl]

What's a DVCR?

Sorry, I did mean an EICR. A DVCR is a Domestic Visual Cond Report.... which is basically a quick scan over an installation for circa £60.....

 

[Olliecampbell]

Thanks for the ball park figures, very helpful.

I'll get my local friendly spark to come round and have a look shortly.