Old fuse boxes
Wooden or plastic boards with rewireable fuses, and older consumer units with no RCD protection.
Fuse Box Replacement in Maidstone
Old fuse box, no RCD protection, or a consumer unit that keeps tripping? Compare quotes from up to 3 vetted electricians in Maidstone.
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Fuse box work we can help with
Tripping and faults
Circuits that keep tripping, a board that's warm or buzzing, and scorch marks or a burning smell.
Upgrades
New consumer units ahead of a kitchen, extension, EV charger or heat pump, plus surge protection and better earthing.
The fuse box, or consumer unit, is where your home's electricity is split into circuits and protected. Many older Maidstone homes still have a board with rewireable fuses, or a consumer unit without RCDs, the switches that cut the power in a fraction of a second if someone touches a live part. That includes many of the 1960s to 1980s homes in estates such as Shepway and Park Wood, which often still have their original board. Modern consumer units use RCDs or RCBOs on every circuit, and since 2016, new boards in homes must have a non-combustible (usually metal) casing.
Replacing a consumer unit is notifiable building work under Part P of the Building Regulations. Use an electrician registered with a scheme such as NICEIC or NAPIT, who can self-certify the work. You should get an Electrical Installation Certificate from the electrician and a Building Regulations compliance certificate afterwards. Keep both for when you sell.
Before the new board goes in, the electrician must test each circuit. Older wiring sometimes has faults the old fuses never picked up, and an RCD will trip on them straight away. If the tests find faults, they'll need fixing before the new board can be switched on, which can add to the cost. Electricians also often need to upgrade the main earthing and the bonding to gas and water pipes to meet current standards. A good quote will say what's included and how any faults will be priced.
The job usually takes half a day to a day, with the power off for most of it, so plan around fridges, freezers and working from home. If you're planning an EV charger, a heat pump or a big kitchen, mention it when you post your job, as the electrician may recommend a larger board or spare ways for later. If your home is near the Medway, the Len or the Loose and has flooded before, ask whether the new board can be fitted higher up the wall, above the likely flood level.
If the fuse box is hot, buzzing or smells of burning, switch off at the main switch if it's safe and call an electrician urgently. Reviews on Trade Pilot come from real, invoiced jobs, so you can see how other homeowners rated an electrician.
Typical prices
| Job | Typical UK range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer unit replacement | £450–£850 | Includes testing and certification |
| Consumer unit with RCBOs on every circuit | £600–£1,000 | Each circuit is protected separately |
| Surge protection device, fitted with the board | £100–£250 | Often recommended with a new board |
| Earthing and bonding upgrade | £100–£300 | Often needed on older homes |
| EICR before or after | £150–£300 | For a 2–3 bed house |
Typical UK ranges; your quotes depend on the job and access.
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Frequently Asked Questions
A new consumer unit usually costs £450 to £850, or £600 to £1,000 with RCBOs on every circuit. Fixing any faults the tests uncover, and earthing upgrades, are often priced separately.
There's no legal requirement for homeowners, but an old board with rewireable fuses and no RCD protection is far less safe than a modern consumer unit. An EICR will tell you whether yours should be replaced.
Old wiring can hide faults that fuses never picked up. A new board with RCDs will trip on them straight away, so faults have to be found and fixed before it can be switched on.
Usually half a day to a day, with the power off for most of that time. It can take longer if the tests find faults.
An Electrical Installation Certificate from the electrician, and a Building Regulations compliance certificate, as the work is notifiable under Part P. Keep both for when you sell.
Ask your electrician about fitting it higher up the wall, above the likely flood level, so it's less likely to be damaged if water gets in again.
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