Electric Fuse Board Replacement

morgwick

Hi we live in a property that was built in 1927. Moved in 2 years ago, no experience of electrics so wouldn't know if the electrics are old or not.

We are currently looking for an electrician to fit some additional sockets in the hallway and the living room. When he has looked at the fuse board he says its old (has 4 fuses on it). He recommends having this replaced as he says we have 12 sources into it, so the fuses will be duplicated. He's given an estimate of £300 for the board, including bonding to gas and water? Not been quoted on the sockets yet.

Does this seem reasonable? Located in NW.

If any electricians could advise, if upon replacing the fuse board and testing the house, it highlights problems with the electrics elsewhere, would this then be an additional fee? I'm worried that it will open a can of worms. If an electrician deems the wiring unsafe could he leave us without electric?

Thanks

Red_Cat

Putting in a new consumer unit with circuit breakers is a good idea if you still have fuse boxes, especially if you have as many as 12 sources going into it. In the event of an overload, it will trip quicker than a fuse could and so can improve safety.
I would think that £300 is about right, but by all means get another quote just in case in your region the going rate is lower. Make sure the electrician tests and then writes up a cert for the new work for you too.

morgwick

Red_Cat wrote: »

Putting in a new consumer unit with circuit breakers is a good idea if you still have fuse boxes, especially if you have as many as 12 sources going into it. In the event of an overload, it will trip quicker than a fuse could and so can improve safety.
I would think that £300 is about right, but by all means get another quote just in case in your region the going rate is lower. Make sure the electrician tests and then writes up a cert for the new work for you too.

Thank you, awaiting another quote as well, but electrics worry me.

Owain_Moneysaver

£300 sounds rather cheap, actually.

Remedial works to the electrics would be additional cost.

The electrician can refuse to connect unsafe wiring but has no authority to leave you without electricity completely. However you could be left with 1 light and 1 socket next to the consumer unit if nothing else is safe to connect.

It would be sensible to carry out a complete Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) which will show up any defects with the existing wiring before changing the consumer unit, and then obtain quotes for remedial work required in addition to changing the CU.

morgwick

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

It would be sensible to carry out a complete Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) which will show up any defects with the existing wiring before changing the consumer unit, and then obtain quotes for remedial work required in addition to changing the CU.

Thanks would I ask the same electrician to do this report and would you know roughly what this costs?

stebiz

Personally I'd get a Electrical Installation Condition Report, (EICR) - this will cost about £100. Then you can see what is required. You aren't therefore asking anybody to disconnect anything and you'll know what is required.

An electrician could then provide estimates off that report. It is unlikely it has the same electrics but many houses still have the same fuse board. I live in a 1930's semi and mine had the old fuse board until very recently.