Cost of replacing a consumer unit

[peelmeister]

Hi guys, ive just been quoted over £700 to have the wiring tested and have the consumer unit replaced into a 2 bedroomed house bulit in 1980. - I think this is really heavy, what do you think?

Any ideas on what price i should be looking at?

Any electricians in the Harrogate/Leeds/York area want to give me a quote send me a PM

Thanks

[Big-Pete]

A new CCU with breakers will cost you around £100 - £150 from a wholesalers, do you know how many circuits you have, id imagine a 2 bed house has between 4 and 7 circuits, thats about two to three hours work, and a test for part p, don't forget that a new CCU has to be notified under partp of the building regs aswell, so you'll also have fees from your local building control.. £700 is too high though..

I dont know anyone in your area but TrustaTrader may help
http://www.trustatrader.com/

[Ademusic]

Exactly as pete said. I'm sure you'll get it cheaper than that. Split load boards can be anything from £70.00 upwards, including breakers. Notification to building control can be done through whoever the electrician is registered with, so he should give you a price for fitting, notification and testing. Rough guess £300-£400. Might get the cost down if you buy the consumer unit yourself, you'll have to know what to get though and what size breakers you'll need for your circuits.

[!tf]

If you looking at buying the consumer unit yourself and need some guidence drop me a PM mate. Im an electrical apprentice qualified at level two just about to move onto level three.

[Big-Pete]

If you looking at buying the consumer unit yourself and need some guidence drop me a PM mate. Im an electrical apprentice qualified at level two just about to move onto level three.

Guidance is good, but no subsitute for a proper install especially as a CCU change will more than likely mean you have to remove the main fuses or do it live, which I dont recommend a novice do, A new CCU is notifiable under PartP, so it'll need to be notified to local building control, upto you if you don't tell the LBC, but as yours is a 1980's era build it'll be obvious if you sell it that there's been a CCU change at some point and you may be asked to provide paperwork before a sale goes through..

[peelmeister]

Guidance is good, but no subsitute for a proper install especially as a CCU change will more than likely mean you have to remove the main fuses or do it live, which I dont recommend a novice do, A new CCU is notifiable under PartP, so it'll need to be notified to local building control, upto you if you don't tell the LBC, but as yours is a 1980's era build it'll be obvious if you sell it that there's been a CCU change at some point and you may be asked to provide paperwork before a sale goes through..

I'm not even going to consider doing this myself, but thanks for the offer of guidance anyway - with me being colour blind i dont think it would be a good idea!

Also, i would like to have it properly certificated should i sell the property - so its gonna have to be a professional install.

Thanks so far guys

[triple595]

Parts are 100 quid ish time 200 quid testing 100 quid, 500 quid max imo

[123yka]

Yes, parts may be inexpensive nut i wouldnt recommend that you buy them and ask the electrician to fit them.
As an electrician I would not fit a cheap consumer unit, some of the cheaper makes are an absolute nightmare to work with - very little space inside to terminate the wiring, poor quiality etc

I agree that the price you have been quoted is on the expensive side but to carry out a full periodic inspection and replace the consumer unit should be a full days work.

I suggest you get another couple of quotes, ensuring that all are from a part p registered spark. Dont forget that whoever does it must give you a Electrical Installation Certificate, followed by a notification from building control

[hutch]

B and q have a 10way fully populated unit for 50 quid. Superb.

[markm]

I had mine replaced last year with the new style RDC board.. 10 brakers , 2 RDC's and 2 main trips, fitted , tested and signed off to the local council, £290.