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Consumer Unit Upgrade & Fuse Box Replacement
Protect Your Home with a Professional Consumer Unit Upgrade &
Fuse Box Replacement
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At McMillan Electrical, we carry out consumer unit upgrades and fuse box replacements for homeowners, landlords, and businesses across Sussex, Surrey and Kent. As NICEIC Approved Contractors with nearly 20 years of experience, we ensure every installation is fully 18th Edition compliant, Part P certified, and completed to the highest standard. Whether your fuse board is outdated, unsafe, or simply not fit for purpose — we'll give you an honest assessment, a fixed price, and a job done right.
What Is a Consumer Unit Upgrade?
Your consumer unit — often called a fuse box or fuse board — is the central hub of your home's electrical system. It distributes power to every circuit in the property and provides the protection that trips a circuit if something goes wrong. If yours was installed more than ten years ago, uses old-style rewireable fuses, or hasn't been updated to current standards, it almost certainly isn't offering the level of protection that modern regulations require.
A consumer unit upgrade means replacing your existing board with a new, fully 18th Edition compliant unit — typically fitted with individual RCBOs (combined circuit breakers and residual current devices) on every circuit and a Type 2 Surge Protection Device (SPD). The result is a safer, smarter installation that protects your circuits independently — so if one trips, the rest of the house stays live.
Is Your Fuse Board Telling You Something?
Most homeowners don't give their consumer unit a second thought — until something goes wrong. The problem is, by then it's often too late to avoid a costly emergency call-out, or worse, a safety incident. Your board may need attention if any of the following apply:
Your fuse box uses old ceramic or rewireable fuses
The board has a single RCD covering all circuits
Breakers trip regularly without an obvious cause
You're planning to install an EV charger, hot tub, or home office
Your board is wooden-backed or made of metal
You've been told your installation is "non-compliant" on an EICR
Your home insurer has flagged your electrics
You're buying or selling a property and the electrical installation has been queried
If any of these ring a bell, you're not alone. Thousands of properties across Sussex, Surrey and Kent still have consumer units installed under older regulations — and they simply don't offer the protection that current standards demand. The good news is that an upgrade is typically a one-day job, costs far less than most people expect, and leaves your property fully certified and compliant.
Benefits Of Upgrading Your Consumer Unit
Individual Circuit Protection: A modern RCBO board gives every circuit its own breaker. If your kitchen trips, your bedroom lights stay on — a significant improvement over older single-RCD boards.
Surge Protection Built In: All our upgrades include a Type 2 SPD, protecting your electronics from damaging voltage spikes caused by lightning or grid switching events.
Full Legal Compliance: An upgraded board brings your installation in line with 18th Edition BS 7671 standards — essential for property sales, insurance, and rental compliance.
Part P Certification Included: We self-certify all our work as NICEIC Approved Contractors. You receive an Electrical Installation Certificate on the day — your legal proof of compliance.
Ready for Modern Demands: A new board provides the capacity for EV chargers, heat pumps, home offices, and smart home technology — future-proofing your supply.
Insurance Peace of Mind: An outdated fuse board can affect your home insurance cover. An upgraded, certified board removes that risk entirely.
Our Consumer Unit
Upgrade Services
We carry out consumer unit upgrades and fuse board replacements across all types of domestic and commercial properties throughout Sussex, Surrey and Kent.
Our Services Include
Standard Consumer Unit Upgrade: Full replacement of your existing board with a new 18th Edition compliant unit, including RCBO protection and SPD. The most common job we carry out.
Full RCBO Consumer Unit Upgrade: Individual RCBO protection on every single circuit — the highest level of protection for larger properties or those with more complex installations.
EV Charger-Ready Consumer Unit: Board upgrade plus a dedicated EV charger circuit, sized and protected correctly for a 7kW home charger. Often combined with EV charger installation in a single visit.
Garage & Outbuilding Sub-Board Installation: A dedicated consumer unit for your garage, workshop, garden office, or outbuilding — properly rated, IP-protected where needed, and fully certified.
Consumer Unit Upgrade with SPD: Surge protection integrated into the new board, as required under 18th Edition Amendment 2 — included as standard in all our upgrades.
18th Edition Compliance Upgrade: Upgrading older boards identified as non-compliant on an EICR, bringing your installation up to current regulatory standards.
Our Consumer Unit Upgrade Process
Consultation and Free Site Assessment
We visit your property, assess your current installation, and give you a written fixed-price quote. No call-out fee, no obligation. We'll tell you exactly what's needed — and what isn't.
The Upgrade Day
We isolate your supply, remove the old unit, and install a fully 18th Edition compliant board. Most domestic jobs are completed in 4 to 8 hours. We plan the schedule to minimise disruption to your day.
Testing & Sign-Off
Every circuit is tested before your supply is reconnected. We leave no stone unturned — all results are recorded and form part of your completion documentation.
Certification
You receive a full Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) on the day of completion. This is your legal proof of compliance under Part P of the Building Regulations — essential when selling your property.
Aftercare
We're available for any questions after the job. If anything isn't right, we come back — that's our 12-month workmanship guarantee.
How Much Does a Consumer Unit Replacement Cost?
We believe in straight answers. Below are typical price ranges for the jobs we carry out most frequently. All prices include labour, materials, and your completion certificate — there are no hidden extras.
| Job Type | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard consumer unit upgrade — 18th Edition compliant Most Common | £350 – £600 |
| Consumer unit upgrade with full RCBO protection per circuit | £500 – £750 |
| Consumer unit upgrade with SPD (surge protection) | £450 – £650 |
| Garage or outbuilding sub-board installation | £250 – £450 |
| EV charger-ready consumer unit upgrade | £500 – £900 |
| Large property or complex installation | £700 – £1,200+ |
These are guide prices based on the jobs we regularly carry out across Sussex, Surrey and Kent. Your exact quote depends on the size of your current installation, the board location, and any additional work identified during the site survey. We provide written, fixed-price quotes after every assessment — so the number you're quoted is the number you pay.
Installing an EV Charger? Your Consumer Unit May Need Upgrading First.
EV charger installations have grown significantly across our area — and with that growth has come a very common discovery: the existing consumer unit isn't up to the job. An EV charger draws significant current, often 7kW continuously. Your board needs a dedicated circuit with the correct protection, a spare way, and the capacity to handle the additional load safely.
In many properties — particularly those built before 2000 — this means a consumer unit upgrade is necessary before the charger can be installed. The good news is that combining both jobs in a single visit is more efficient and usually better value than booking them separately. We carry out the board assessment as part of every EV charger survey, so you'll know exactly where you stand before any work begins.
EV-ready boards with a dedicated 7kW circuit
Load management assessment included in every survey
DNO application support where a service upgrade is required
Combined consumer unit and EV charger installations completed in one visit
Full OZEV grant eligibility guidance
Garage & Outbuilding Consumer Unit Installations
A dedicated consumer unit in your garage, workshop, garden office, or outbuilding is one of the most practical electrical upgrades you can make. It separates your outbuilding supply from your main house circuits — protecting both — and gives you the capacity for proper lighting, multiple power sockets, and specialist equipment.
Whether you're converting a garage into a gym, setting up a home office, or simply want safe, adequate power for your workshop — a properly specified sub-board is the right solution. We design the board around your intended use, ensure the cable run from the main board is correctly rated for the distance and load, and fit an IP-rated unit where the environment requires it. All work is fully certified.
2-way boards — lighting and a single power circuit. Ideal for storage or utility rooms.
4 to 6-way boards — lighting, multiple ring main circuits, and a freezer spur. Our most common garage installation.
EV-ready boards — all standard garage supplies plus a dedicated 7kW EV circuit. Future-proofed from day one.
Garden office and workshop boards — larger boards with multiple ring mains, heating circuits, and data provision for a proper working space.
If you're having a garden office or summer house built, we recommend including the electrical supply in the build specification rather than adding it afterwards — it's cleaner, cheaper, and avoids disruption to finished landscaping.
Why Choose McMillan Electrical for Your Consumer Unit Upgrade?
We have been providing electrical services to homeowners, landlords, and businesses across Sussex, Surrey and Kent for nearly 20 years. Every consumer unit upgrade we carry out is completed by a qualified, experienced electrician — not a subcontractor — and backed by the UK's leading electrical accreditation body.
NICEIC Approved Contractors: The most recognised accreditation in the UK electrical industry. Your assurance that the work meets the highest standards of safety and quality.
Part P Self-Certification: We handle all building regulations notification on your behalf. You receive your Electrical Installation Certificate on the day — no separate building inspector required.
18th Edition Qualified: Fully up to date with BS 7671 wiring regulations, including Amendment 2, which introduced mandatory SPD risk assessments for all new consumer unit installations.
Fixed-Price Quotes: The price we quote is the price you pay. We've been doing this for nearly 20 years — surprises cost us more in reputation than they'd earn us in profit.
Honest Advice: If your board doesn't need replacing, we'll tell you. We only recommend upgrades when they're genuinely necessary.
Fully Insured: Public liability insurance in place on every job, protecting your property and our team.
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"Ron, James et al were great - full house rewired, were tidy, very fast, and a great price! We were living in the house at the time, they were understanding working around our boxes and mess. Very happy to recommend."
"Ron and Teun were very professional, and the work was completed to a high standard. Very satisfied with the work and service and would highly recommend."
"It has been a pleasure working with Ron and his team. His prices were fair, the service throughout was great and the work was carried out to a high standard. The team also tidied up afterwards. I'd definitely recommend and will be using Ron again."
Over 300 Happy Customers
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about consumer unit upgrades, fuse box replacements, costs, and compliance — answered by our NICEIC-approved electricians serving Sussex, Surrey and Kent.
How much does a consumer unit replacement cost?
A standard consumer unit upgrade typically costs £350 to £600 for a domestic property, including a fully 18th Edition compliant board with surge protection and RCBO protection per circuit. Larger properties or more complex installations range from £500 to £750. We always provide a written fixed-price quote after a free site visit — so the price you're quoted is the price you pay.
How long does a consumer unit upgrade take?
Most standard domestic upgrades are completed in a single day — typically 4 to 8 hours depending on the size of your installation. Your power will be off during the work. We plan the job to minimise disruption and always aim to have your supply fully restored, and your certificate in hand, before we leave.
Does a consumer unit upgrade need building regulations approval?
Yes. A consumer unit replacement is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations. As NICEIC Approved Contractors, we self-certify all our work — you don't need to involve a separate building inspector. You receive an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) on completion, which is your legal proof of compliance and is required documentation when selling your home.
My fuse box still works fine — do I really need to upgrade it?
Working and safe are two different things. An older board with a single RCD or rewireable fuses offers significantly less protection than a modern RCBO unit. If one circuit trips on a single-RCD board, everything on that half of the board goes off simultaneously. There are also insurance implications — some home insurers won't cover properties with outdated boards, and others require evidence of compliance. If you're unsure, an EICR will give you a definitive answer.
Do I need a new consumer unit to get an EV charger installed?
Not always — but frequently yes. Many older boards don't have a spare way for the dedicated EV charger circuit, or don't meet current 18th Edition standards. We assess your existing board as part of every EV charger survey and give you an honest recommendation. If an upgrade is needed, combining it with the charger installation is the most efficient approach — one visit, one disruption, one job.
Can I get a consumer unit fitted in my garage or outbuilding?
Absolutely. A dedicated sub-board in a garage, workshop, or outbuilding is one of the most popular jobs we carry out. We'll specify the right board for your intended use, ensure the cable run is correctly rated, and provide full certification on completion. IP-rated boards are available for unheated or exposed environments.
What is a Surge Protection Device (SPD) and do I need one?
An SPD protects your electrical installation — and everything plugged into it — from voltage spikes caused by lightning or switching events on the grid. These spikes can silently damage electronics, from smart TVs to heat pumps. Under 18th Edition Amendment 2, an SPD risk assessment is required for all new consumer unit installations. In most domestic premises this means an SPD should be fitted as standard. We include this in all our upgrades.
Get Your Consumer Unit Upgrade Booked Today
Ready to make your home's electrics safer, more reliable, and fully compliant? Contact McMillan Electrical today for a free, no-obligation site assessment and a fixed-price quote. We serve homeowners, landlords, and businesses across Sussex, Surrey and Kent — and we're typically available within the same week.
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