Comparing quotes for upgrading consumer unit

tristanjourney

Hi all,

I'm trying to get an idea of what a consumer unit upgrade should cost, and I've received a few quotes that I'd like some advice on. I'm based in South East (Berkshire), and all of the companies I've contacted are in Competent Person Schemes and able to provide the EIC certificate and notify the local council. The Electrical Installation Condition Report from the previous owner recommended a new RCBO consumer unit to be installed.

Here are the quotes I received:

• Quote 1: £460 + VAT

  • Consumer unit: Contactum board
  • Surge protection device included
  • Each circuit protected by an RCBO

• Quote 2: £675 + VAT

  • Consumer unit: Contactum 10 way unit
  • Surge protection device included
  • RCBO circuit breakers
  • Unit is made of metal with fire rating and IP rating

• Quote 3: £850 (not sure if VAT is inclusive or not)

• 10 useable way RCBO populated consumer unit
• SPD (Surge Protection Device) included

• Quote 4: the company is asking my number to have a call to discuss the works that I need. Is it really needed for just upgrading a consumer unit?

I'm not an expert, but it looks like they're all proposing similar works (I couldn't tell the difference unfortunately). However, the price difference is significant. Any advice on which quote to choose would be appreciated.

I've attached a picture of the existing consumer unit that I want to upgrade.

Thank you for your help!

mi-key

They are all basically quoting for exactly the same thing, so the only difference is the prices.

The consumer unit costs around £75, so all of the rest is labour, and changing one is a days work at most. 

I would say around £460 is still pretty steep to be honest, but I definitely wouldn't pay any more than that. 

flashg67

Not much to offer except to say that all will be quoting for a metal CU as it is per the current regulations. If you're happy with the company, then the first quote sounds very reasonable.
Every time I've had one changed, the electrician has been out to have a look first - I guess every job is different although yours looks fairly straightforward (I'm not an electrician)

Risteard

mi-key said:

They are all basically quoting for exactly the same thing, so the only difference is the prices.

The consumer unit costs around £75, so all of the rest is labour, and changing one is a days work at most. 

I would say around £460 is still pretty steep to be honest, but I definitely wouldn't pay any more than that. 

£75 is nonsense on your behalf. £460 is far too cheap for those works.

mi-key

Risteard said:

mi-key said:

They are all basically quoting for exactly the same thing, so the only difference is the prices.

The consumer unit costs around £75, so all of the rest is labour, and changing one is a days work at most. 

I would say around £460 is still pretty steep to be honest, but I definitely wouldn't pay any more than that. 

£75 is nonsense on your behalf. £460 is far too cheap for those works.

Maybe you need to find a new supplier ? 

 https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/CPDDS10166AMSdashP01.html?source=adwords&ad_position=&ad_id=&placement=&kw=&network=x&matchtype=&ad_type=pla&product_id=CPDDS10166AMS-P01&product_partition_id=&campaign=shopping_excluded&version=finalurl_v3&gclid=CjwKCAjwrdmhBhBBEiwA4Hx5g1N4T8MG0P_eE0Bdk7yn_Kz3xCEuchNyMwS5l1fTFdcuudNitO09mRoCH-YQAvD_BwE

mi-key

Risteard said:

mi-key said:

They are all basically quoting for exactly the same thing, so the only difference is the prices.

The consumer unit costs around £75, so all of the rest is labour, and changing one is a days work at most. 

I would say around £460 is still pretty steep to be honest, but I definitely wouldn't pay any more than that. 

£75 is nonsense on your behalf. £460 is far too cheap for those works.

Really ? it would take you more than a day to swap over a consumer unit ? 

Risteard

mi-key said:

Risteard said:

mi-key said:

They are all basically quoting for exactly the same thing, so the only difference is the prices.

The consumer unit costs around £75, so all of the rest is labour, and changing one is a days work at most. 

I would say around £460 is still pretty steep to be honest, but I definitely wouldn't pay any more than that. 

£75 is nonsense on your behalf. £460 is far too cheap for those works.

Maybe you need to find a new supplier ? 

 https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/CPDDS10166AMSdashP01.html?source=adwords&ad_position=&ad_id=&placement=&kw=&network=x&matchtype=&ad_type=pla&product_id=CPDDS10166AMS-P01&product_partition_id=&campaign=shopping_excluded&version=finalurl_v3&gclid=CjwKCAjwrdmhBhBBEiwA4Hx5g1N4T8MG0P_eE0Bdk7yn_Kz3xCEuchNyMwS5l1fTFdcuudNitO09mRoCH-YQAvD_BwE

Maybe you need to read what has been quoted for. It certainly wasn't a dual split load RCCB without surge protection.

macman

It's not just 'swapping it out'. Every circuit then has to be tested and the documentation done. The sparky who signs off the new CU is effectively signing off the entire system as compliant and safe.
OP, what is the reason for upgrading?  RCD protection?

mi-key

Risteard said:

mi-key said:

Risteard said:

mi-key said:

They are all basically quoting for exactly the same thing, so the only difference is the prices.

The consumer unit costs around £75, so all of the rest is labour, and changing one is a days work at most. 

I would say around £460 is still pretty steep to be honest, but I definitely wouldn't pay any more than that. 

£75 is nonsense on your behalf. £460 is far too cheap for those works.

Maybe you need to find a new supplier ? 

 https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/CPDDS10166AMSdashP01.html?source=adwords&ad_position=&ad_id=&placement=&kw=&network=x&matchtype=&ad_type=pla&product_id=CPDDS10166AMS-P01&product_partition_id=&campaign=shopping_excluded&version=finalurl_v3&gclid=CjwKCAjwrdmhBhBBEiwA4Hx5g1N4T8MG0P_eE0Bdk7yn_Kz3xCEuchNyMwS5l1fTFdcuudNitO09mRoCH-YQAvD_BwE

Maybe you need to read what has been quoted for. It certainly wasn't a dual split load RCCB without surge protection.

So the contactum 10 way with surge protection is £135, that still leaves £300 for less than a days labour.

mi-key

macman said:

It's not just 'swapping it out'. Every circuit then has to be tested and the documentation done. The sparky who signs off the new CU is effectively signing off the entire system as compliant and safe.
OP, what is the reason for upgrading?  RCD protection?

Doing a new DEIC doesn't take that long to do. Changing a consumer unit and testing can all be done in a day easily.

The OP already had a DEIC done that confirmed the wiring was in good order and the only reccomendation was for a new consumer unit.

Please tell me how an electrician can justify £850 for a days work ? 

Risteard

mi-key said:

Risteard said:

mi-key said:

Risteard said:

mi-key said:

They are all basically quoting for exactly the same thing, so the only difference is the prices.

The consumer unit costs around £75, so all of the rest is labour, and changing one is a days work at most. 

I would say around £460 is still pretty steep to be honest, but I definitely wouldn't pay any more than that. 

£75 is nonsense on your behalf. £460 is far too cheap for those works.

Maybe you need to find a new supplier ? 

 https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/CPDDS10166AMSdashP01.html?source=adwords&ad_position=&ad_id=&placement=&kw=&network=x&matchtype=&ad_type=pla&product_id=CPDDS10166AMS-P01&product_partition_id=&campaign=shopping_excluded&version=finalurl_v3&gclid=CjwKCAjwrdmhBhBBEiwA4Hx5g1N4T8MG0P_eE0Bdk7yn_Kz3xCEuchNyMwS5l1fTFdcuudNitO09mRoCH-YQAvD_BwE

Maybe you need to read what has been quoted for. It certainly wasn't a dual split load RCCB without surge protection.

So the contactum 10 way with surge protection is £135, that still leaves £300 for less than a days labour.

It needs RCBOs too. You really haven't a clue what you're talking about.