Comparing quotes for upgrading consumer unit

FreeBear

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.

Then there is a fee for Building Regs sign-off. If you were to submit the application yourself, that could easily cost £300+. Via an approved contractor scheme, probably £100 of the cost is for the certificate.

The OP's consumer unit is quite dated, but not intrinsically unsafe. Limited (no) scope for adding new circuits though...

Risteard

FreeBear said:

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.

Then there is a fee for Building Regs sign-off. If you were to submit the application yourself, that could easily cost £300+. Via an approved contractor scheme, probably £100 of the cost is for the certificate.

The OP's consumer unit is quite dated, but not intrinsically unsafe. Limited (no) scope for adding new circuits though...

He hasn't even included for the price of RCBOs, never mind glands and sundry items and possibly bits of cable to extend; perhaps new meter tails; possibly bonding; remedial works etc. It's clear he's clueless about this yet somehow feels qualified to remark on the pricing of it.

tristanjourney

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?

It is a recommendation from the Electrical Installation Condition Report. The report is from the previous owner of the house. I believe it is related to RCD protection because one of the C3 item is: NO RCD PROTECTION ON SOME ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS.

A detailed report content can be found from my previous post https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6434295/trying-to-understand-the-recommendations-from-deic/p1

tristanjourney

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.

If £460 is too cheap for the works, what do you recommend would be a reasonable price? 

FFHillbilly

I don't think it's necessarily too cheap, it depends on the area. but looking at the list of quotes it's the cheapest one.
quotes 1 & 2 seem to list the same consumer unit (contactum won't make more than one model, and all consumer units should be metal)
quote 3 is missing the majority of the details and is either with or without VAT so it's useless to compare to that, you could ask them what brand of materials they use, and clarify the VAT?
quote 4, it sounds like you have got an automatic response, or a secretary who doesn't know what they are doing
ask all 3 if they are on the competent person register

ThisIsWeird

tristanjourney said:

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!

Hi TJ.

Due diligence, tho' you've already carried out a fair amount - CPS and certs, etc.

Now look them up individually on Google, and read reviews. Ditto their FB page.

The first quote strikes me as being very reasonable, but not worryingly cheap. As long as you find they have a decent reputation, then I'd happily give them the job.

The other two quotes are not 'unusual', but clearly the guys are earning quite well. Not to dis' them; they are qualified, need to keep up with ever changing standards, have a lot of overheads, etc. The £850 quote is probably inclusive of VAT.

Tbh, I'd have expected closer to the two higher quotes, so would consider the first quote a surprisingly nice deal. As long as they have a good reputation, then I'd go for it. And lots of tea and biscuits...

GenieBoy

Depends if they do a neat job or not. I've seen some shocking CU boards with wiring all over the place.