What is Rare Plumbing Website?

A bespoke digital atelier providing precision engineering and climate control services for London's most discerning luxury estates.

How much does a consumer unit upgrade cost in London?

A standard consumer unit upgrade in London typically costs £650–£1,200 + VAT, depending on the number of circuits, whether any additional bonding or remedial work is needed, and the type of board fitted (all-RCBO vs mixed MCB/RCBO). We provide a fixed, itemised quote after a survey.

Do I need to upgrade my fuse board?

You should upgrade if your consumer unit has no RCD protection, uses rewireable fuses, is repeatedly tripping, or fails an EICR. Since the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (2018), all new consumer units must have RCD protection on every circuit and be made of non-combustible material (metal). Older plastic boards without RCDs no longer meet current standards.

What is the difference between an MCB and an RCBO?

An MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker) protects against overcurrent only. An RCBO (Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent) protects against both overcurrent and earth faults (electric shock) on a single circuit. Modern best practice is an all-RCBO board, where a fault on one circuit only trips that circuit — not the whole property.

How long does a consumer unit upgrade take?

A straightforward upgrade — same number of circuits, no remedial work needed — typically takes 4–6 hours. We isolate the power for the duration, so you will be without electricity during the work. We can arrange a temporary supply for medical or essential equipment if needed.

Will I get a certificate after the upgrade?

Yes — every consumer unit upgrade comes with a formal Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) and, where required, notification to Building Control under Part P. You receive the certificate for your records, and it serves as proof of compliance for insurance, EICR and property sale purposes.

Can you upgrade a consumer unit in a listed building?

Yes — we have experience upgrading consumer units in listed buildings and period properties across Mayfair, Belgravia and Kensington. We can source metal enclosures that can be discreetly located, and we work sensitively to minimise disruption to original fabric and decoration.

Does upgrading my consumer unit require an EICR first?

Not strictly, but we always carry out a full inspection and test of your existing circuits before fitting a new board. If your wiring is very old or has faults, fitting a new consumer unit may cause it to trip repeatedly. We will flag any issues before proceeding and advise on whether rewiring is needed first.

020 7458 4949

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RARE Plumbing London Part P certified electrician upgrading a consumer unit fuse board in a luxury London property

18th Edition Compliant

Consumer Unit Upgrades London

Fuse board replacement with all-RCBO protection, surge protection and full Part P certification. 18th Edition compliant — for safety, compliance and modern electrical demands.

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Part P Certified

Same-Day Available

4.9★ Rated

All-RCBO Boards

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Available 24/7. Gas Safe registered engineers.

Our Service

A modern fuse board is the heart of a safe home

Your consumer unit (fuse board) is the single most important safety device in your home. It protects every circuit from overload and every person from electric shock. If yours is more than 15–20 years old, it almost certainly lacks the RCD protection that has been required since the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations.

We upgrade consumer units across prime London — from straightforward like-for-like board replacements to full all-RCBO installations with surge protection. Every upgrade is 18th Edition compliant, fully tested, and comes with a formal Electrical Installation Certificate and Part P notification.

All-RCBO boards (one circuit per trip)

Surge protection (SPD) included

Metal, non-combustible enclosure

Full circuit labelling and schedule

18th Edition compliant

Part P notification to Building Control

Book a Survey

We inspect your existing board, count circuits and provide a fixed, itemised quote — with no hidden extras.

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Fixed price — no hidden call-out charges

Formal electrical certificate issued

Listed building experience

Power restored same day

Signs You Need an Upgrade

When to Replace Your Fuse Board

If any of these apply to your property, a consumer unit upgrade is strongly recommended.

No RCD protection

Your board has no RCD (residual current device) — meaning no protection against electric shock if a fault develops.

Rewireable fuses

Your board still uses old rewireable fuses rather than modern MCBs or RCBOs — a clear sign it's decades old.

Repeated tripping

A single fault trips the whole board, or circuits trip repeatedly with no obvious cause — often a sign of failing protection.

Failed EICR

Your EICR identified C2 defects on the consumer unit — remedial work is required to achieve a satisfactory certificate.

Plastic enclosure

Your consumer unit is plastic — since the 18th Edition, all new boards must be metal (non-combustible).

Adding a new circuit

You're adding an EV charger, shower circuit or extension — your existing board may not have capacity or RCD protection for it.

How It Works

Our Upgrade Process

Survey

We inspect your existing board, count circuits, check cable condition and assess whether any remedial work is needed first.

Fixed Quote

A transparent, itemised quote covering the new board, RCBOs, surge protection, labour and certification.

Safe Isolation

On the day, we safely isolate the mains supply and confirm all circuits are dead before starting work.

Board Replacement

Your old board is removed and the new metal, all-RCBO consumer unit is fitted and labelled.

Full Testing

Every circuit is tested for continuity, insulation resistance, polarity, RCD trip times and earth fault loop impedance.

Certification

You receive a formal Electrical Installation Certificate and Part P notification to Building Control.

Local Coverage

Serving London's most iconic neighbourhoods.

Our engineers are established across prime London — near landmarks including Berkeley Square, Harrods, Eaton Square, Regent's Park and Hampstead Heath.

Mayfair

Berkeley Square

Knightsbridge

Harrods & Hyde Park Corner

Belgravia

Eaton Square

Marylebone

Regent's Park

Hampstead

Hampstead Heath

St John's Wood

Lord's Cricket Ground

Primrose Hill

Primrose Hill Park

Notting Hill

Portobello Road

View all London areas we cover

You May Also Need

Electrical Services

Full range of Part P certified electrical work for luxury London properties.

EICR Safety Certificates

Electrical safety inspections — often the first step before a board upgrade.

EV Charger Installation

Home EV chargers — often require a consumer unit upgrade first.

Authoritative Sources & References

.gov.uk
Approved Document P — Electrical Safety (Building Regulations)
GOV.UK — Official building regulations guidance for Part P electrical safety in dwellings.
Wikipedia
BS 7671 — IET Wiring Regulations (18th Edition)
Wikipedia — The national standard for electrical installations, including consumer unit and RCD requirements.
.gov.uk
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
HSE (Health and Safety Executive) — HSE guidance on the legal duty to maintain safe electrical installations.

FAQ

Consumer Unit Questions

Common questions about fuse board upgrades and 18th Edition compliance.

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Reviewed by RARE Plumbing London Engineering Team

Gas Safe Registered Heating Engineers · Reviewed 3 September 2026