How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Consumer Unit in Bridport?

Typical Cost of Consumer Unit Replacement in Bridport

Replacing a consumer unit in Bridport typically costs between £650 and £950 plus VAT, depending on your property size and the number of circuits. Tyne Electrical Services Ltd installs RCBO consumer units with surge protection devices (SPD) as standard on every job, giving your home the highest level of individual circuit protection available under current wiring regulations.

What Is a Consumer Unit and Why Might It Need Replacing?

Your consumer unit (commonly known as a fuse box) controls and protects every electrical circuit in your home. It’s where the main incoming supply is distributed to your lighting, sockets, cooker, shower, and any other fixed electrical circuits.

There are several reasons you might need a replacement. Your current unit may be old and use outdated rewirable fuses or early circuit breakers that no longer meet modern safety standards. It may have been flagged during an electrical inspection, or you may be extending your home and need additional circuits. In some cases, insurers or mortgage lenders will require an updated unit before proceeding.

If your consumer unit is more than 20–25 years old, it’s worth having it assessed by a qualified electrician.

How Much Does a Consumer Unit Replacement Cost in Bridport?

Here’s a straightforward guide to pricing for consumer unit replacements in the Bridport area:

Property Type - Approximate Cost (ex. VAT)

RCBO consumer unit with SPD — small property - £650 – £750

RCBO consumer unit with SPD — average home - £750 – £900

Larger property or higher number of circuits - £900 – £1,100

All prices are exclusive of VAT and include supply, installation, testing, and the required Building Regulations notification certificate (Part P).

Pricing can vary depending on the number of circuits, the condition of existing wiring, and whether any remedial work is identified during the process. We’ll always give you a clear, itemised quote before any work begins, no surprises.

Do I Need an EICR Before Replacing My Consumer Unit?

In most cases, yes. Tyne Electrical Services Ltd will normally carry out an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) before replacing a consumer unit, unless you already have a valid, satisfactory EICR in place.

The reason is straightforward: before reconnecting your circuits to a brand-new consumer unit, we need to be confident that the existing wiring, earthing, and bonding are safe and in good condition. An EICR gives us — and you — that assurance.

Our EICR pricing is as follows:

Circuits - Price (ex. VAT)

Up to 6 circuits - £240
Each additional circuit - £32 per circuit

If you’re a landlord in Lyme Regis, Seaton, Colyton, or Axminster, a valid EICR is also a legal requirement for rental properties, so combining it with a consumer unit upgrade makes good practical sense.

Why We Install RCBO Consumer Units with Surge Protection as Standard

Not all consumer units are the same. At Tyne Electrical Services Ltd, we only install RCBO (Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent) consumer units, and we include a surge protection device (SPD) on every installation as standard.

Here’s why that matters:

RCBO protection means that each circuit in your home has its own individual protection device. If one circuit trips, only that circuit goes off. The rest of your home stays live. This is a significant improvement over older dual-RCD boards, where a single fault can knock out half your property.

Surge protection devices guard your home’s electronics against sudden voltage spikes, which can be caused by lightning strikes or switching events on the network. With more homes relying on smart devices, EV chargers, and sensitive electronics, SPDs are increasingly important.

Both are in line with the latest BS7671 18th Edition Wiring Regulations, and we believe they should be standard on every installation, which is why we include them as a matter of course.

How Long Does a Consumer Unit Replacement Take?

For most homes in Bridport and the surrounding area, a consumer unit replacement takes approximately half a day, usually between three and five hours. Your electricity supply will be off for the majority of this time, so it’s worth planning around it.

Larger properties with more circuits, or jobs where additional remedial work is required, may take longer. We’ll always give you a realistic time estimate when we provide your quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a consumer unit replacement take?

Most jobs take half a day, roughly three to five hours. Larger homes or those requiring remedial work may take longer. We’ll always give you a time estimate upfront.

Do I need to notify building control?

Consumer unit replacement is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations. As an NICEIC approved contractor, Tyne Electrical Services Ltd self-certifies all notifiable work and issues you with the required compliance certificate. You’ll need this when you sell your property.

Do I need an EICR before replacing my consumer unit?

In most cases, yes. We carry out an EICR before the installation to confirm that the existing circuits, earthing, and bonding are safe to reconnect. If you already have a valid, satisfactory EICR, we may not need to carry out a new one.

Will my power be off all day?

No. Typically only for three to five hours. We work efficiently to minimise disruption and will always let you know what to expect before we start.

What is the difference between RCBO and RCD protection?

An older dual-RCD board splits your circuits into two groups, each protected by a shared RCD. If the RCD trips, all circuits on that side go off. An RCBO board gives every single circuit its own individual protection device, so a fault on one circuit doesn’t affect any others. It’s a safer, more convenient solution.

Can you replace a consumer unit in a rented property?

Yes. We work regularly with landlords and letting agents across Bridport, Lyme Regis, Seaton, Colyton, and Axminster. Landlords are legally required to maintain safe electrical installations, and an up-to-date consumer unit, combined with a valid EICR -  helps demonstrate compliance with those obligations.

Get a Quote from Tyne Electrical Services Ltd

If you’re considering a consumer unit replacement in Bridport or the surrounding area, we’d be happy to help. Tyne Electrical Services Ltd is an NICEIC Approved Electrical Contractor serving homeowners and landlords across Bridport, Lyme Regis, Seaton, Colyton, and Axminster.

We provide clear, honest quotes with no hidden costs, and all our work is fully certified and backed by the NICEIC quality assurance scheme.

📞 Call us on 01308 293125
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All prices are exclusive of VAT. Pricing correct as of 2025 and subject to survey. All work carried out in compliance with BS 7671 18th Edition Wiring Regulations.