New consumer unit, how much to install?

chrisfreelander54

At present we are the process of replacing our kitchen, as we will be moving sockets, breakers and all new lighting, I thought we may as well replace the consumer unit to.

How much should I be looking at paying on average for one to be installed, we are looking at buying this one as we can add more lighting etc in the future.

http://www.diy.com/nav/fix/electrical/circuit-breakers-consumer-units/consumer-units/consumer_units/Dual-RCD-Consumer-Unit-10-Way-Populated-with-10-MCBS-12207507?skuId=12738214

Regards
Chris.

sk240

At a guess your probably looking at around £200

fluffpot

Don't supply your own consumer unit - that one is pants and it won't have the correct circuit breakers. Get your sparky to supply.

And £200 is way too cheap for installation unless you have a 1 bed flat - all circuits have to be tested before the changeover - it's quite labour intensive - and of course there are usually some problems that need to be sorted. The electrician you use must be part P registered - you can check here https://www.competentperson.co.uk

baldelectrician

I went to one last week ( I had been there before ) and tested a faulty shower, the RCD tripped.There wasn't an RCD before so I went to look.


Asked the customer why she didn't ask me for a quote and she said "I thought you said you didn't do these"
No I replied I do, did you get a certificate ?
No she said, but it works ok.


This is a lady that called trading standards about the plumbing company that installed her shower without an RCD, yet seems happy to have a BG consumer unit with 2 mcb's from a different manufacturer ( this is against the regs as installing parts not approved by the manufacturer is unacceptable and can cause fires).


This is a customer that is getting close to the ' too busy at present' list.


Sorry for the rant, but getting back to the original post.
Get someone to install a decent consumer unit and check the competent person register .


If you are in Scotland check out https://www.select.org.uk

baldelectrician

I went to one last week ( I had been there before ) and tested a faulty shower, the RCD tripped.There wasn't an RCD before so I went to look.Found a new, badly installed consumer unit.


Asked the customer why she didn't ask me for a quote and she said "I thought you said you didn't do these"
No I replied I do, did you get a certificate ?
No she said, but it works ok.


This is a lady that called trading standards about the plumbing company that installed her shower without an RCD, yet seems happy to have a BG consumer unit with 2 mcb's from a different manufacturer ( this is against the regs as installing parts not approved by the manufacturer is unacceptable and can cause fires).


This is a customer that is getting close to the ' too busy at present' list.


Sorry for the rant, but getting back to the original post.
Get someone to install a decent consumer unit and check the competent person register .


If you are in Scotland check out www.select.org.uk

Melaniep101

I think we paid in the region of £450 for supply and install of a new consumer unit (and some other bits and bobs). Not sure if that was too much to pay but the old fuse board was an accident waiting to happen.

almeria1

We are in southern England and had our old fuse-wire box replaced a couple of years ago. The cost was a little over £400 As I recall and we received various paperwork from the electrician afterwards.

NVRAM

Just Paid £350 to a local guy, North East.
The box was moved slightly too which meant majority of cables needed to be extended a bit too.

sk240

A days labour should be aprox £150-200, and add in say £100 for the consumer unit, so £300 max, any more and the electrician certainly is doing well for themselves!

fluffpot

£150 a day - i don't think so! Not for someone who is any good

Board changes take 2 days on anything average size or above - 1 day to test and do remedial works (there are always some), 1 day to do board change and paperwork

sk240

fluffpot wrote: »

£150 a day - i don't think so! Not for someone who is any good

Board changes take 2 days on anything average size or above - 1 day to test and do remedial works (there are always some), 1 day to do board change and paperwork

I recently had my consumer unit changed, and tested etc and it took 4hrs max.
If its just a CU change, then even i could do it in 6hrs.

Why do plumbers and electricians think they are worth so much money, i work in the space industry, building sattelites for the likes of NASA etc, and have trained for a very long time and only get £120 a day.
Tradie wages are crazy!
If the electrician is any good, it shouldnt take any longer than a day!
Obviously im in the wrong job