In short: the cost of a consumer unit (fuse box) replacement depends mostly on the size of your installation and what testing finds. We give you a fixed price after a quick look at your installation, covering the new unit, fitting, full testing, the electrical installation certificate and Building Regulations notification. We’re not VAT registered, so there’s no VAT to add.

This guide is written by Scott Griffith, an NICEIC Domestic Installer based in Colwyn Bay, to explain what you’re paying for and what can change the price.

What’s included in our price

• A new consumer unit with RCD protection on every circuit
• Removing and disposing of the old fuse box
• Testing every circuit before and after the change
• An Electrical Installation Certificate
• Notification to building control through NICEIC, as required under Part P of the Building Regulations

What can add to the cost

Most jobs come in at the price we quote. These are the things that can add to it, and we’ll always tell you before doing any extra work:

• Faults found during testing. A modern RCD board won’t hold if a circuit has an earth fault, poor insulation or a borrowed neutral. These have to be found and fixed first.
• Missing main bonding. If there’s no main protective bonding to the gas and water pipes, it needs adding.
• Moving the board. Relocating the consumer unit, for example out of a cupboard under the stairs, means extra cable and labour.
• Meter tails or main earth upgrades if the existing ones are undersized or damaged.
• Larger installations with a lot of circuits, or more than one board.

Signs you need a new consumer unit

• You still have an old fuse box with rewireable fuses
• There’s no RCD protection, or only some circuits are covered
• Your EICR has coded the board C2 (potentially dangerous)
• Breakers trip often or the board shows signs of heat damage
• You’re adding an EV charger, solar panels or a new circuit and there’s no spare space

How long does it take?

Usually half a day to a full day. The power will be off for most of that time while the old board comes out, the new one goes in and every circuit is tested.

Scott brings a portable power bank that can keep your Wi-Fi router running and charge a laptop or phone, so you can keep working from home and the kids can stay entertained while the board is changed.

Why the cheapest quote isn’t always cheapest

A proper consumer unit change includes testing the whole installation, not just swapping the box. If faults aren’t found first, the new RCDs can trip constantly, and you’ll be paying someone to come back. Always check your electrician is registered with a scheme such as NICEIC or NAPIT, and that you’ll get a certificate and building control notification at the end.

Consumer unit replacement FAQs

How much does a consumer unit replacement cost in North Wales?

It depends on the size of the installation and what testing finds. We give a fixed price after a quick look, including testing, certification and Building Regulations notification.

Do I need a certificate for a new consumer unit?

Yes. Replacing a consumer unit is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations. You should get an Electrical Installation Certificate and a Building Regulations compliance certificate.

Should I get an EICR first?

It isn’t always necessary, but if the wiring is old or hasn’t been tested for a while, an EICR can show up faults before the board is changed, so there are no surprises on the day.

Which areas do you cover?

Colwyn Bay, Llandudno, Conwy, Rhyl and Abergele, Prestatyn and the rest of the North Wales coast. See all the areas we cover.

<p>The post Consumer Unit Replacement Cost in North Wales: What Affects the Price first appeared on S. Griffith Electrical Services.</p>

In short: if you let a home in Wales under an occupation contract, you must have a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) for the property. It must be renewed at least every 5 years, and your tenant must get a copy within 14 days. These rules come from the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 and the Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations 2022.

This guide is written by Scott Griffith, an NICEIC Domestic Installer who carries out landlord EICRs across North Wales.

Which landlords do the rules apply to?

The electrical safety rules apply to homes let under an occupation contract, the type of tenancy that replaced most assured shorthold tenancies in Wales. They have applied to new contracts since 1 December 2022, and to existing contracts that were converted since 1 December 2023. Holiday lets usually fall outside the Act, but they still need to be electrically safe.

What the regulations require

• A valid report for every period of occupation. There must be a valid electrical condition report for the property while it’s let.
• Every 5 years, or sooner. A report is valid for 5 years from the inspection date, or until any earlier date the report gives for the next inspection.
• A qualified person. The inspection must be carried out by someone competent to inspect and test an electrical installation, working to BS 7671 (the IET Wiring Regulations).
• A copy for your tenant within 14 days. If the inspection was done before they moved in, they need a copy within 14 days of the occupation date. If it’s done during the tenancy, within 14 days of the inspection.
• Written confirmation of remedial work. If remedial or investigative work is done after the inspection, your tenant must get written confirmation within 14 days.

If you don’t comply, the property is treated as unfit for human habitation for as long as the problem lasts. That can have serious consequences, including for giving notice, so it’s worth getting right.

How Wales differs from England

The rules are similar, but there are differences. In England, landlords must carry out remedial work within 28 days of the report. The Welsh regulations don’t set a fixed deadline. Instead, you have a general duty to keep the electrical installation in repair and proper working order, and you must give your tenant written confirmation once work is done. In practice, C1 and C2 items should be dealt with as soon as possible.

What the codes on your report mean

• C1: Danger present. Immediate action needed. The electrician will usually make it safe on the day.
• C2: Potentially dangerous. Urgent remedial work needed.
• C3: Improvement recommended. Doesn’t make the report unsatisfactory on its own.
• FI: Further investigation. Something needs looking into before it can be coded.

Any C1, C2 or FI means the report is unsatisfactory, and the work needs doing before the installation can be signed off.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

The same Welsh regulations also require working smoke alarms on each storey, connected to the mains and interlinked. A carbon monoxide alarm is needed in any room with a gas, oil or solid fuel appliance. These are often checked or fitted at the same visit as the EICR.

Choosing an electrician

The regulations say “qualified person” rather than naming a scheme. The simplest way to be sure is to use an electrician registered with a competent person scheme such as NICEIC or NAPIT, who will issue a full EICR (not just a one-page “certificate”).

Landlord EICR FAQs (Wales)

How often does a landlord in Wales need an EICR?

At least every 5 years, or sooner if the report recommends an earlier date.

Do I need a new EICR for every new tenant?

Not if the existing report is still valid. You must give each new tenant a copy within 14 days of their occupation date.

Who pays for the EICR?

The landlord. It’s the landlord’s responsibility to arrange and pay for the inspection and any remedial work.

How much does a landlord EICR cost in North Wales?

It depends on the size of the property and how many circuits it has. We give a fixed price before booking. See our landlord EICR page for what’s included.

This guide is a summary for landlords, not legal advice. Check the Welsh Government’s guidance, or ask your letting agent or solicitor about your own situation.

<p>The post EICR Rules for Landlords in Wales (2026 Guide) first appeared on S. Griffith Electrical Services.</p>