Consumer Unit Replacement

Fusebox Upgrade in Lordswood, Wigmore & Rochester. Fixed Price, Done in a Day

I've been replacing fuseboxes for 25 years, and the job still gets my full attention every time. Getting it wrong has real consequences for the people living in the house.

Most of the upgrades I carry out in Lordswood, Wigmore, and Rochester follow a familiar pattern. A homeowner has been told by their estate agent, mortgage lender, or a previous electrician that the old fusebox needs to go before a sale can go through, or the insurance company is asking questions. Sometimes it's simpler. The board is full, keeps tripping, or still has old rewireable fuses from the 1970s. Whatever the reason, the job is the same: out with the old, in with a modern, properly protected consumer unit, tested and certified the same day.

I'm George, I run Eru Electrics Ltd, and I'm NICEIC registered and a Which? Trusted Trader. Every fusebox upgrade I price is fixed upfront. No day rate surprises, no extras on the day.

What the Job Actually Involves

A fusebox upgrade, sometimes called a consumer unit installation, means removing your existing board and replacing it with a modern unit that meets current wiring regulations. On a typical job I'll also replace the main tails (the heavy cables connecting the meter to the fusebox) where it's practical to do so. That's something a lot of electricians skip.

The new unit I install is a consumer unit by Fusebox, RCBO loaded with surge protection fitted as standard. RCBOs give every circuit its own independent protection, so if one circuit trips it doesn't take out half the house. They also protect against electric shock in a way that cheaper MCBs do not. Surge protection guards your appliances against voltage spikes on the supply.

Once the new unit is in and wired, I carry out a full test of every circuit in the house and issue an Electrical Installation Certificate. I notify local building control on your behalf. That's a legal requirement for this type of work and one that's regularly missed by unregistered contractors.

What Others Get Wrong

Over the years I've been called in to correct or inspect a lot of sub-standard consumer unit work. A few things come up repeatedly.

Dual RCD boards installed where individual circuit protection is needed. These older style boards split the circuits into two groups. If one RCD trips, it takes out everything on that side. They also struggle to meet the disconnection times required by current regulations.

MCBs used where RCBOs are required. MCBs only protect against overload and short circuit. Without the residual current protection of an RCBO, there is no protection against electric shock on those circuits.

A main switch RCD fitted alongside old rewireable fuses. This is a particularly dangerous combination. The fuses aren't rated or coordinated to work safely with a modern RCD and it may not pass an inspection.

Work carried out by builders or kitchen fitters who aren't registered electricians. This type of work legally requires a Part P notification. If it isn't registered with building control, it's unverified, potentially unsafe, and can cause problems when you come to sell the property.

I'm NICEIC registered, which means my work is independently assessed every year. That accreditation isn't just a logo. It means every job I do is backed by a recognised professional body.

What Homeowners Say

I've completed over 200 jobs with verified reviews as a Which? Trusted Trader. Homeowners consistently mention two things: that I turn up when I say I will, and that I leave the property tidy. Those aren't things I'd normally need to point out, but apparently they're rarer than they should be.

Pricing. No Surprises.

Fusebox upgrades in Lordswood, Wigmore, and Rochester are priced from £550 to £2,500+VAT depending on the size of the property and the number of circuits. Every quote is fixed. The price I give you before the job is the price on the invoice. No day rate charges, no extras added on the day, no materials billed separately.

The quote includes: all materials (Fusebox consumer unit, RCBOs, surge protection), replacement of the main tails where practical, removal of the old fusebox, full testing of all circuits, the Electrical Installation Certificate, and building control notification. Please note: we don’t dispose the old equipment but we put everything in black sacks and leave them with your regular rubbish or skip.

How It Works. From First Call to Certificate.

Call to book a survey. We will arrange a convenient time to visit, usually within 5 working days.

Site survey. A quick visual inspection to check the installation is ready for the upgrade and flag anything that might affect the quote.

Written quote within 2 working days. Fixed price, emailed to you.

Agree a date. Typically 1 to 2 weeks lead time. I'll take a deposit at this point to secure the booking.

Installation day. The full job, removal, installation, and testing, is completed within the same day.

Walkthrough. Before I leave, I'll show you the completed installation and make sure you're comfortable with how to use it.

Certificate emailed within 5 working days.

Guarantees

All materials are covered by a 12 month guarantee. My labour carries a lifetime guarantee. If there's ever a fault with my workmanship, I'll come back and put it right.

FAQs

How long does a fusebox upgrade take?

For most homes in Lordswood, Wigmore, and Rochester, the full replacement including testing and a walkthrough takes one day. I'll confirm the expected timeframe when I visit for the survey, as larger properties with more circuits occasionally take a little longer.

Will I need to turn off the power for the whole day?

Yes, the power to the property will need to be off while I work on the consumer unit. I'll let you know what to expect when we agree the date so you can plan around it. In practice, most jobs are done well within the working day.

What's included in the price?

Everything: the new Fusebox consumer unit, all RCBOs, surge protection device, removal of the old board, replacement of the main tails where practical, full circuit testing, the Electrical Installation Certificate, and building control notification. There are no hidden extras.

Do I need a new fusebox if I'm selling my house?

If your current board has old style rewireable fuses, it's very likely to be flagged on a buyer's electrical survey. A lot of the upgrades I carry out in this area are prompted by a sale. It's better to sort it before you're under pressure from a completion deadline.

Why does building control need to be notified?

Fusebox replacement is a notifiable electrical installation under Part P of the Building Regulations. Notifying building control is a legal requirement. It creates a formal record that the work was carried out by a registered electrician. If it isn't registered, it can cause problems when you sell. As an NICEIC registered electrician, I handle all notifications as part of the job.

What's the difference between an RCBO and an MCB, and why does it matter?

An MCB (miniature circuit breaker) protects against overload and short circuits, but not electric shock. An RCBO does both. It adds residual current protection, meaning it will trip if it detects a fault that could cause a shock. I fit RCBOs as standard on every circuit rather than using cheaper MCBs because the protection is genuinely better.

What areas do you cover?

I'm based locally and carry out fusebox upgrades across the Medway Towns, Gravesend, Sittingbourne and Maidstone. Call me to check if I cover your postcode.

Contact Us

If you're looking at a fusebox upgrade in Lordswood, Wigmore, or Rochester, give me a call and I'll arrange a convenient time to come and have a look. There's no charge for the survey, the quote is fixed and emailed to you within 48 hours, and there's no obligation. I'll give you an honest picture of what's involved and a price that won't change on the day.

Call Today for a Free Quote