How to price a consumer unit change
What to include when quoting a fuse board replacement: RCBOs, SPD, tails, bonding, testing hours and a worked UK example for 2026.
For electricians in the UK. Prices checked November 2026.
Worked example
“Replace an old fuse box with a new metal consumer unit, 8 circuits.”
| Material | Qty | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal consumer unit 10 way with main switch | 1 | £70.00 | |
| RCBO 30mA type A | 8 | £160.00 | |
| Surge protection device type 2 | 1 | £42.00 | |
| 25mm meter tails 2m pair | 1 pack | £18.00 | |
| 16mm earth cable green/yellow | 3 m | £9.00 | |
| 10mm earth cable green/yellow | 5 m | £10.00 | |
| Labour, 6.7 hours at £50.00/hour | £335.00 | ||
| Transport | £25.00 | ||
| Total | £669.00 |
Typical UK retail prices including VAT, November 2026. Not VAT-registered example; add 20% to the total if you are. Rate is an example: use your own.
What customers expect to pay
Homeowners are told to expect £550–£800 for a consumer unit replacement, according to the Fantastic Services cost guide. The worked example comes to £669.00.
Where the time goes
- Isolate, remove old board, fit and wire new consumer unit4.2 h
- Main bonding check and upgrade0.5 h
- Test all circuits and certify2 h
Before you quote
- Count the circuits on site: each one is an RCBO and adds testing time.
- Check the main bonding before you quote. Upgrading it is often needed and easy to forget.
- Include building control notification. Customers rarely know it's required.
How the quantities are worked out
Each material is counted in the units merchants sell it in, with normal waste allowed, so you can order straight from the list. Labour is the on-site time for one competent tradesperson, including setting up, testing and clearing up. Change the measurements and the whole quote moves with them; that's what Quotable does for you on every job, with each material priced live at UK merchants.
Quote this job with today's prices
Type the job, check the lines, send a link your customer can accept and pay. Every material is priced live and linked to the product.