Consumer Unit Replacements in Worcestershire & the West Midlands

If you’re unsure whether your fuse box needs replacing, you’re not alone. Many homeowners and landlords across the West Midlands are told they need a “new consumer unit”, but aren’t given much help in understanding what that really means, whether it’s urgent, or what it should cost.

At Ready to Rewire, we believe in making things clear and straightforward. Replacing a consumer unit isn’t about upselling or technical jargon, it’s about ensuring your home’s electrical system is safe, legally compliant, and ready for the demands of modern living.

What Is a Consumer Unit and Why Install a New One?

A consumer unit (or fuse box) controls the electricity in your home. It protects your circuits, monitors for faults, and ensures your wiring complies with UK safety standards. Older units often lack the modern safety features required today, like RCD or RCBO protection, which means they may not trip in the event of a fault, posing a fire or shock risk.

You may need a replacement if:

• Your current box still uses fuse wire or old-style breakers
• There’s no RCD protection fitted
• You’ve experienced flickering lights or constant tripping
• A recent electrical inspection (EICR) flagged it as non-compliant
• You’re planning work like a kitchen refurb, extension, or EV charger installation

In these cases, replacing the unit is about more than convenience, it’s about safety and peace of mind.

Benefits of Installing a New Consumer Unit in Your Home

Installing a new consumer unit ensures your home meets current wiring regulations (18th Edition), but the benefits go beyond compliance.

A modern unit provides better protection against electrical faults, supports the increased demand of modern homes (think induction hobs, office setups, EV chargers), and gives your insurer and surveyor confidence that your electrics are up to standard.

For landlords, it’s an essential part of maintaining EICR compliance. For homeowners, it’s one of the most valuable electrical upgrades you can make.

What’s Involved in a Professional Consumer Unit Installation?

We’re often asked, “How long does it take?” and “Is it disruptive?”, fair questions. The good news is, a typical consumer unit replacement takes around four to eight hours. We work efficiently, safely, and with minimal disruption.

Here’s how the process usually works:

1. We begin with a site visit or electrical health check to assess your current setup.
2. On installation day, the power is turned off, and the old unit is safely removed.
3. We install the new consumer unit, run all the necessary tests, and issue a full NICEIC certificate.
4. We then notify building control to confirm the upgrade meets legal requirements.

Throughout, our team will keep you informed, answer your questions, and leave your home clean and tidy.

How Much Does a New Consumer Unit Installation Cost?

This is often the biggest worry for homeowners, and unfortunately, it’s also where misinformation runs wild online. You might see prices from £300 to £1,500 without any explanation of what’s included.

At Ready to Rewire, we believe in full transparency. For most domestic properties in Worcestershire, a consumer unit replacement costs between £500 and £900. That includes:

• The new board (typically RCBO or RCD split-load)
• All materials and labour
• Full testing and certification
• Building control notification

We provide fixed-price quotes after a free home visit, so there are no surprises or hidden charges.

Why Choose Ready to Rewire for Your Consumer Unit Replacement?

This kind of work shouldn’t be left to general electricians who “do a bit of everything.” Our team specialises in domestic rewires and consumer unit upgrades, it’s the core of what we do, and we take it seriously.

We’re NICEIC registered, fully insured, and committed to clear communication at every step. From first call to sign-off, you’ll be dealing with a local, professional team that’s earned the trust of homeowners across Worcestershire.

What You Receive After Installing a New Consumer Unit

Once the job is complete, you’ll receive:

A NICEIC Electrical Installation Certificate
Building control notification for your records
Clear contact options if you have questions post-installation

We don’t treat any job as “done and dusted”, we’re here if you need advice later.

Book a Free Survey or Get a Quote for Consumer Unit Installation

Whether you’re planning a renovation, responding to an inspection, or simply want the reassurance of knowing your home is safe, we’re ready to help.

• Book your free electrical health check
• Request a fixed-price quote
• Call or WhatsApp the team to talk it through

No jargon. No pressure. Just honest, expert advice from the team at Ready to Rewire.