Consumer Unit (Fuse Box) Replacement in Ramsgate & Thanet
Swap an old fuse box for a modern consumer unit with proper RCD protection, fitted, tested and certified by a NICEIC Approved Contractor.
Starting from £650 + VAT
5.0from over 130 Google reviewsThe consumer unit, which most people still call the fuse box, is where every circuit in your home starts. An old one may not cut the power quickly enough when something goes wrong. A modern unit protects your circuits and the people using them.
We replace consumer units in homes and businesses across Ramsgate, Margate, Broadstairs and the rest of Thanet. One customer had theirs replaced at short notice by Tyler and Reese, who explained the options before starting. That's how we like to work.
Signs your fuse box needs replacing
An older board can still be in good order. These signs mean it's worth having yours looked at.
- It has fuse wire or cartridge fuses instead of circuit breakers.
- There's no RCD protection, or only some circuits are covered.
- You can see scorch marks, cracks or melted plastic, or it feels warm.
- It buzzes, crackles or smells of burning. Treat this as an emergency.
- An EICR has given it a C1 or C2 code.
- You're adding an EV charger, solar panels or an extension and the board can't take the new circuit.
What a modern consumer unit gives you
The wiring regulations, BS 7671, require new consumer units in homes to have a non-combustible enclosure, which usually means metal. That helps contain a fire if a fault ever starts inside the unit.
Inside, RCDs watch for current leaking to earth, for example through a person, and cut the power in a fraction of a second. RCBOs go a step further and give each circuit its own protection, so a fault on one circuit doesn't take out the rest of the house. We'll also talk to you about surge protection and whether it's right for your home.
Testing comes first
A new consumer unit is only as good as the circuits connected to it, so we test every one as part of the job. Older wiring sometimes has hidden faults that an old fuse box never noticed, and a new RCD will trip on them straight away.
If we find a problem, we stop and explain your options before going any further.
Certified and notified
Replacing a consumer unit is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations. As a NICEIC Approved Contractor working to the 18th Edition wiring regulations, we can self-certify it. You get an Electrical Installation Certificate, and a Building Regulations compliance certificate follows once the work is notified. Solicitors often ask for both when you sell.
How it works
- 1
Tell us what you have
Call or message us about your current fuse box and what's prompting the change. A photo helps. We'll arrange a visit if needed and give you a free quote.
- 2
Agree the plan
We explain the options, such as RCBOs or surge protection, so you can choose with all the facts. We also agree a time that suits you, as the power has to be off while we work.
- 3
Fit and test
We remove the old board, fit the new consumer unit and test every circuit before switching the power back on.
- 4
Paperwork
You get your Electrical Installation Certificate, and we notify the work so your Building Regulations compliance certificate is issued.
What customers say about us
Stephen G. At short notice, Tyler and Reese removed our aging consumer unit and installed a new consumer unit in its place. TKM electrics are very professional in their approach to work. Great customer service. Tyler provided plenty of insightful options before hand which enabled me to make an informed decision regarding the type of work required for the best outcome. Great couple of lads to have working in a domestic setting. Highly recommended
Connor W. Tyler and the team upgraded our fusebox for us in Margate,Kent at our commercial work shop. Currently booked with them again for a 10kw solar system. Very clean and tidy and reasonably priced too.
Common questions
Do I have to replace my plastic consumer unit?
Not automatically. The rule requiring non-combustible enclosures applies to new installations, so an existing plastic unit in good condition can stay. An EICR will look at its condition and where it's fitted, and may recommend an upgrade. If it's damaged, or needs replacing for another reason, the new one will have a non-combustible enclosure.
How much does a consumer unit replacement cost?
It depends on the number of circuits, the type of protection you choose and whether testing turns up faults that need fixing first. A board with an RCBO on every circuit costs more than one with shared RCDs, for example. We give free quotes and explain what's included, so you can compare like for like.
Will I be without power while you work?
Yes, while the changeover happens. The supply has to be isolated while the old board comes out and the new one is connected and tested. We'll agree a time with you in advance. It's worth thinking about freezers, alarms and any medical equipment before the day, and telling us about anything that can't be switched off.
Can I replace a consumer unit myself?
We wouldn't recommend it. It's notifiable work under Part P, so it has to be certified, either by a registered competent person or through building control. It also means working where the supply enters your home, and testing every circuit properly needs specialist instruments and training. Mistakes here can leave a home without working protection.
Will a new consumer unit stop my electrics tripping?
Sometimes the opposite happens at first. A new unit with RCD protection is more sensitive, so it can reveal faults the old fuse box ignored, such as damp in an outside socket or a damaged cable. That's the protection doing its job. We find and fix the cause, so the board stays on and you stay protected.
Related services
EICR & Electrical Safety Certificates
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) tells you whether the electrics in a property are safe. We carry them out for landlords, homeowners, buyers and businesses across Thanet and the wider Kent area.
Find out more
House Rewiring
Full and partial rewires for houses and flats, planned with you from the start and certified when the work is done.
Find out more
EV Charger Installation
A home or workplace charger installed safely, with your supply checked and the paperwork sorted, so you can charge where you park.
Find out more
Consumer Units across Kent
Ready to book, or need advice first?
Call us or send a message and we'll talk it through. Quotes are free and there's no obligation.