Fuse Board Upgrades
Is your fuse board up to the job?
Most people never think about their fuse board — it sits in a cupboard and gets ignored for decades. But an outdated board isn't just old. It can be actively dangerous. In the worst cases, it's a fire risk sitting quietly behind a closed door.
We upgrade fuse boards to current standards — cleanly, correctly, and with a clear price before we start.
Plastic fuse boards are a fire hazard
Older fuse boards — and many installed right up until regulations changed — were built with plastic casings. Plastic is combustible. And that matters more than most people realise.
Over time, electrical connections naturally loosen. Heat, vibration, and the daily cycle of current flowing through them causes them to expand and contract with every use. When a connection becomes loose enough, it can begin to arc — producing intense localised heat at the point of contact.
In a metal consumer unit, that heat is contained. In a plastic one, it isn't. The casing itself can catch fire and melt, and once it does, the fire spreads.
In the majority of UK homes, the fuse board is under the stairs.
If a fire starts under the stairs while you're asleep upstairs, your only escape route is gone. This is not a theoretical risk — it is the reason metal consumer units became mandatory. Current regulations (18th Edition wiring regulations) require all new and replacement boards to be housed in a non-combustible metal enclosure.
If your board is plastic, it does not meet current standards. It has not met them since 2016.
PHOTO: Plastic fuse board — showing combustible casing
PHOTO: Fire damage or melted plastic board (if available)
Other Risks
Fire isn't the only problem
An outdated board can also leave you exposed to electrocution, appliance damage, and frustrating power cuts — often without any obvious warning signs.
PHOTO: Old board without RCD protection — showing outdated wiring
The Solution
Modern boards that actually protect you
We offer two options depending on your budget and risk profile. Both bring your board up to current standards. One goes further.
Split RCD Board
A modern metal consumer unit with two RCDs splitting your circuits into two groups. Each group has RCD protection, so a fault on one circuit only takes down half the board — not the whole property.
- Metal enclosure — meets current fire safety regulations
- Two RCDs protect circuits in two groups
- Modern MCBs on every circuit
- Surge protection included
- Maximum 14 circuits
From £730
Up to 8 circuits £730 · Up to 14 circuits £760
PHOTO: Split RCD board — clean installed shot
RCBO Board with Built-in Fire Extinguisher
The highest level of protection available for a home consumer unit. Every circuit gets its own individual RCBO — meaning a fault on one circuit trips only that circuit. And if the board itself ever overheats, the built-in fire extinguisher activates automatically.
What is the built-in fire extinguisher?
It's a compact suppression cartridge — the same size as a standard circuit breaker — that fits alongside the other breakers inside the board. It contains no water or foam. If it detects high levels of heat inside the enclosure, it activates automatically, suppressing the fire at the source before it can spread. No one needs to be awake or present for it to work.
- Metal enclosure — meets current fire safety regulations
- Individual RCBO on every circuit — fault on one circuit affects only that circuit
- Built-in fire suppression — activates automatically on heat detection
- Surge protection included
- Suitable for any number of circuits
From £895
Up to 10 circuits · +£50 per circuit beyond 10
PHOTO: RCBO board with built-in fire extinguisher cartridge — close-up showing extinguisher alongside breakers
Higher risk properties — Arc Fault Detection (AFDD)
For properties with higher electrical risk — such as HMOs, older wiring, or where additional protection is required by an EICR — we can fit Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs) on individual circuits. AFDDs detect dangerous arcing within your wiring before it causes a fire. This option is priced the same as Option B with an additional £75 per circuit. Ask us if you think this may apply to your property.
Pricing
Clear prices before we start
All prices include labour and materials. Meter tails and EICR are priced separately if needed.
RCBO Board with Built-in Fire Extinguisher
Up to 10 circuits
£895
11 circuits
£945
12 circuits
£995
13 circuits
£1,045
14 circuits
£1,095
Each additional circuit beyond 10 is charged at £50 per circuit.
Add-ons
You may also need
Meter tails upgrade
Meter tails are the thick cables connecting your electricity meter to your consumer unit. Some older installations have tails that are undersized or degraded, and these will need replacing alongside the board.
New meter tails only
+£100
New tails + double pole isolator
Allows safe isolation without removing the service fuse
+£120
Not required on all jobs — we'll confirm during assessment.
EICR — 50% off
Save 50%An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a full inspection of your electrical installation — testing every circuit for safety. Our standard rate is £35 per circuit.
When you have an EICR carried out at the same time as your board upgrade, we offer 50% off — because a large part of the testing overlaps with the work we're already doing, so no extra visit is needed.
When is an EICR required?
If your current board does not have RCD protection on all circuits, we recommend an EICR alongside your upgrade. This is because the board change alone brings your consumer unit up to standard, but the circuits themselves may have issues that would only be identified through a full inspection. If your existing board already has full RCD protection, an EICR is not mandatory — though it remains a sensible check on an older installation.
Combined rate: £17.50 per circuit. Ask us for a quote specific to your property.
The Process
What to expect
Send a photo
Take a photo of your current consumer unit and send it to us on WhatsApp. We'll assess it and come back to you with a clear, fixed price.
Price confirmed upfront
You'll know the exact cost before we book anything. No surprises on the day.
Installation day
We isolate the supply, remove the old board, and fit the new one. Most upgrades are completed within a day. Power is restored before we leave.
Certified and signed off
All work is certified under Part P and registered with a competent persons scheme. You receive your documentation the same day.
Ready to upgrade?
Send us a photo of your current board on WhatsApp and we'll give you a clear, honest price — usually within the hour. No obligation, no hard sell.
Also installing an EV charger? We can do both in one visit.