Fusebox Replacement in Warrington - Upgrade Costs

Need a new fuse box in Warrington? Prices from £650. 

1) ​What is a Fuse Box?

​A fuse box is the brains of your electrical system and manages several important tasks. These tasks include the following:

• Protecting Cables
• Preventing Electric Shocks
• Stopping Short Circuits
• Detecting Earth Faults
• Stopping Overloads
• Surge Protection from Voltage Spikes
• Detecting Electrical Issues

The fuse box is made of plastic or metal and sits at the start of your electrical system near your electricity meter. The electrical installation relies on the fuse box to protect it and keep everything working and safe.

2) What is a Consumer Unit?

A consumer unit is the modern form of the fuse box. Where a fuse box contains fuse wire (rewireable fuses) or cylindrical fuses, the consumer unit contains more sophisticated switches. A modern consumer unit will contain a variety of different switches including RCD (residual current devices) protection (more about this in a minute), overload protection and other protective devices. 

A new consumer unit should contain the very latest technology to protect against power surges, electrical fires, overloads and much more.

3) When should I upgrade my consumer unit?

A consumer unit replacement should be considered where old fuse boxes are still being used. An older fuse box offers little protection against electrical shocks, earth faults, surges and other electrical issues. Even older consumer units (with trip switches) can now be outdated and in need of an upgrade. Leaving an outdated fuse box in your home can lead to safety concerns, electrical problems developing and mask any electrical defects in your system. A fresh Fusebox that complies with the latest regulations is one of the best ways of upgrading your electrical system and improving electrical safety.

4) ​What is RCD protection?

A Residual Current Device (RCD) is a vital piece of equipment in our electrical installations. Its purpose is to detect when stray electrical currents are afoot! When electrical current go missing from a circuit they do so for one reason, they are disappearing to earth! The assumption being that, the missing current is flowing through someone who is receiving an electric shock!!!

These clever little devices monitor the electrical current flow in an electric circuit and when a problem is detected, they shut off the power supply to one or more circuits preventing fatal electrical shocks. A qualified electrician will install these devices when a fuse box replacement takes place.

The RCD devices (RCD, RCB, RCCB, RCBO) will have a little test button on them which should be pressed once every 6 months to establish if the device trips off. If the device does not trip off when this button is pressed then CALL US as your electrical shock protection is not working as it should be and needs replacement.

5) Fuse Board Replacement - The Process

​During a fuse box replacement, your electrical system will be fully checked over by the electrician. Several different tests are carried out to determine if the system has the correct earthing, to check the cable quality and to ensure that the trip switches will operate quickly in the event of a fault. As well as testing the electrical circuits in the property, your electrician will check the operation of the RCD devices to ensure that they are operating correctly and will protect you from electrical shocks.

6) What affects the cost of a new Fusebox / Consumer Unit?

There are several factors that could increase the cost of a new consumer unit installation:

• We have to check that the earthing and bonding (safety electrical connections) is adequate.
• If there is no mains isolator (big ON/OFF switch) before the consumer unit then this should be fitted.
• Hidden Faults (if any) will need to be traced and repaired.
• The size of the Fusebox - bigger boxes and more circuits = more cost.

In all electrical systems it is highly recommended to have an electrical inspection before the replacement consumer unit is installed. In installations where the an old fusebox (rewireable fuses) is present then its VITAL to have an electrical check carried out beforehand. This check prior to replacing the fusebox will highlight any electrical issues that are present in the existing system, any circuits that would trip a new consumer unit and give you an important picture of the condition of your electrical system before work commences.

7) What type of Fuse Box or Consumer Unit is best?

​Fuse box upgrades should always incorporate the latest and best technology to comply with wiring regulations and to offer the best protection against potentially dangerous problems. We recommend a Main Switch Consumer Unit with RCBOs when upgrading to a modern consumer unit. We also incorporate surge protection along with upgrading the earthing and mains cables.

8) Why choose us to upgrade your Fusebox in Warrington?

I'm glad you asked. We not only offer everything that electricians should be but also:

• NAPIT (National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers) Registered for Full Scope Electrical Works
• Qualified Electrical Assessor and Tutor in the Electrical Industry
• Excellent Electricians
• Compliance with Building Regulations
• Excellent Service with 100's of 5 Star Google Reviews
• Many Years of Experience
• Fully Insured
• Highly Qualified Electricians

​We are your local electrician in Warrington and surrounding areas. If you need fuse board upgrades in the Warrington area then give us a call for free advice and support.

9) What are typical costs for a new Consumer Unit in Warrington?

At the time of writing in 2025, typical costs* for a new consumer unit, Electrical Installation Certificate and Building Control Certificate in Warrington are below.

Garage Consumer Unit Replacement Costs
£300 - £380.

Consumer Unit up to 6 Circuits Small Flat - Large Flat - Small Terraced Property
​£650

Consumer Unit up to 8 Circuits - Small Terraced Property - Small Semi Detached Property
£675 - £775

Consumer Unit up to 10 Circuits - Semi Detached Properties - Small Detached Properties
​£775 - £975

Consumer Unit up to 14 Circuits - Detached homes 4-5 Bedroom Properties
​£975 - £1275

Consumer Unit up to 20 Circuits - Larger Homes
​£1200 - £1600

​Commercial Distribution Board Replacement
​Contact for a quote.

*The larger the consumer unit, the greater the time needed for Inspection, Testing and Certification. Your homes electrics will be different from the property next door and in some cases, you may find that your consumer unit has more or less circuits than your neighbour. Generally, as the size of the property increases, as will the number of electrical circuits in the consumer unit. The prices stated are not fixed price quotes but an idea of costs. Prices as a guide from 2025.