An outdated consumer unit is one of the most common electrical issues in Liverpool homes. Whether your fuse board is tripping constantly, was flagged on an EICR or simply has not been updated in decades, a modern 18th Edition consumer unit is one of the most important safety upgrades you can make. This guide covers 2026 costs, what is included and what to expect on the day.
Fuseboard Upgrade Costs in Liverpool 2026
Consumer unit upgrade costs in Liverpool vary depending on the size of the property and the number of circuits being protected. The table below gives typical 2026 prices for a standard supply and fit including all labour, the new unit and a completion certificate.
If remedial work is identified during the upgrade — for example, circuits that need updating to connect safely to the new board — this will be quoted separately before any additional work is carried out.
What Affects the Cost of a Fuseboard Upgrade?
Number of circuits
The more circuits in your property the larger and more complex the consumer unit required. A larger unit with more RCBO protection slots costs more than a basic board. A correct specification matters — fitting an undersized board to save money is a false economy that creates problems down the line.
Condition of existing wiring
If the existing circuits connecting to the new consumer unit are in poor condition, some remedial work on the wiring may be needed to ensure a safe connection. This is most common in older Liverpool properties where the wiring has not been updated alongside the board in previous years.
Location of the existing consumer unit
Most consumer units in Liverpool homes are located in the hallway or under the stairs. Boards in awkward or confined locations take slightly longer to work on safely, which can affect the labour element of the price.
Additional circuits required
If you want to add a new dedicated circuit for an EV charger, electric shower, cooker or home office at the same time as the upgrade, this is the most cost-effective time to do it. Additional circuits are quoted separately but the combined cost is always lower than returning to do the work separately later.
What Does a Modern Consumer Unit Give You?
Many Liverpool homes — particularly those built before 1990 — still have consumer units that do not meet current electrical safety standards. Here is what a modern 18th Edition board provides that older units do not.
With an old consumer unit a fault on one circuit often trips the entire board, cutting power to the whole house. With individual RCBO protection a fault on the kitchen circuit only affects the kitchen — every other circuit stays on. This is particularly important in Liverpool homes where families are working from home or relying on medical equipment.
How Long Does a Fuseboard Upgrade Take?
For most Liverpool properties a consumer unit upgrade is completed in a single day. The power to the property will need to be isolated for part of the day while the new board is fitted and tested. We always let you know in advance when the power will be off and aim to minimise that period as much as possible.
On completion the installation is fully tested, a circuit schedule is fitted to the new board and a completion certificate is issued the same day.
Do I Need to Inform Anyone About a Fuseboard Upgrade?
Yes. A consumer unit replacement is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations. This means it must be carried out by a competent person registered with an approved scheme such as NICEIC, who can self-certify the work. As NICEIC approved contractors we handle all notifications on your behalf at no extra charge. You receive a completion certificate and the work is registered with your local authority.
If your property has been flagged as having a non-compliant consumer unit on an EICR, a fuseboard upgrade is one of the most common remedial works required. Completing this quickly keeps you compliant and means you can provide tenants with the required evidence within the 28-day deadline. It also removes a common obstacle from property sales in Liverpool's active 2026 market.
Signs Your Fuseboard Needs Upgrading
- Your consumer unit still has old-style rewirable fuses rather than circuit breakers
- Your board has no RCD protection — there is no test button on any of the devices
- Circuit breakers trip regularly even without obvious overloading
- The enclosure is plastic rather than metal
- Your EICR has flagged the consumer unit as unsatisfactory
- The board has no room to add additional circuits
- You cannot remember when it was last replaced
From £699 in 2026. Most jobs completed in one day. Certificate issued on completion. Available across all Liverpool postcodes.