If your consumer unit still has the old fuse wire type switches, or an electrician has flagged it on an EICR, you're probably wondering what a replacement will actually cost. Here's a realistic breakdown based on the kind of homes and fuse boards we see across Birmingham.
For a straightforward swap on a 2-3 bedroom house with a normal number of circuits, expect somewhere between £400 and £650 for a dual RCD board. Go for a full RCBO board, where every circuit has its own protection rather than two shared RCDs, and you're looking at closer to £550 to £900.
Larger houses with more circuits (say a Victorian terrace in Moseley or a bigger semi out towards Sutton Coldfield with an extension, outbuilding, or electric shower) push costs up because there's more to move across and test. A surge protection device, now expected under the wiring regulations amendment for most domestic upgrades, typically adds £40 to £90 to the job.
The number of circuits is the biggest factor. A small flat with a handful of circuits is a quicker job than a house with separate circuits for the kitchen, shower, garage, and outside sockets.
Where the board is located matters too. A unit tucked under the stairs with easy access is far simpler than one in a cramped loft hatch or an outbuilding that needs a new cable run. If the meter tails also need replacing, that sometimes requires a visit from the regional electricity distributor before work can finish, which can add a delay rather than a huge cost.
Birmingham has a huge amount of pre-1970s housing, from Edwardian terraces in Kings Heath and Handsworth to 1930s semis in Erdington and Solihull-adjacent suburbs. Many of these still have rewirable fuse boxes with ceramic fuse carriers, which almost always get a Code 1 or Code 2 on an EICR and need replacing rather than patching.
Older fuse boards from this era sometimes contain asbestos arc shields inside the switch housings. This isn't dangerous if left undisturbed, but it does need to be handled carefully during removal, which can add a modest amount to labour time. Any competent electrician working in Birmingham's older stock should know to check for this before starting.
A proper consumer unit upgrade isn't just swapping a box. It includes testing every circuit in the house, checking earthing and bonding are adequate, labelling the new board clearly, and issuing an Electrical Installation Certificate. Because it falls under Part P of the Building Regulations, a registered electrician (NICEIC or NAPIT, for example) can self-certify the work, so you don't need to contact Birmingham City Council's building control separately.
If you're a landlord, this certificate also feeds into your EICR for the property, which is worth bearing in mind if you're in one of the areas of Birmingham covered by selective licensing.
Most straightforward upgrades take half a day to a full day. If asbestos arc shields are found, meter tails need replacing, or access is difficult, it can run into a second day.
Yes, the electricity supply has to be switched off while the old board is removed and the new one wired in, usually for a few hours. Your electrician should be able to tell you roughly when it'll be off so you can plan around it.
No, as long as the work is carried out and certified by a registered electrician under a competent person scheme like NICEIC or NAPIT, they self-certify the work and notify building control on your behalf.