Consumer Unit & Fuse Box Upgrades in Milton Keynes
If your home still has an old rewireable fuse box, you're missing modern RCD/RCBO protection — and you'll struggle to add solar, a battery or an EV charger. We swap fuse boxes for modern consumer units in a single day.
Do you need a new consumer unit?
Warning signs your fuse box or consumer unit needs replacing:
- Old-style rewireable fuses with white porcelain holders
- MCBs that trip frequently with no obvious cause
- A burning smell from the cupboard, or visible scorch marks
- No RCD protection (or a single RCD covering everything)
- You're adding solar, a battery, or an EV charger — almost always needs a board upgrade
- Failing EICR with C1 or C2 codes against the consumer unit
- The board is in a damp, hot or unsafe location
What's included in a consumer unit upgrade
- Supply and fit of new consumer unit (your choice of brand — Hager, MK, Wylex, Schneider, Crabtree)
- Every circuit individually protected with an RCBO
- RCD protection where required
- Full circuit identification and labelling
- Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC)
- Building Control notification under Part P (you receive a compliance certificate within 30 days)
- 12-month workmanship warranty
- Tidy install — old board removed, area cleaned, paint touch-up if needed
Why RCBOs?
Old boards used a row of MCBs for overcurrent protection plus one or two RCDs protecting groups of circuits. The problem: when an RCD trips on one fault, it takes out every circuit on that group — your lights, sockets, fridge, freezer all go off together.
Modern RCBOs combine both functions per circuit. One circuit faults, only that circuit trips — everything else stays on. Better safety, better fault diagnosis, less disruption.
Every consumer unit we install is fully RCBO protected as standard — no exceptions, no upcharges.
BS 7671 Amendment 4 — what's new
BS 7671 Amendment 4 (April 2026) introduced new requirements for residential consumer units, the most significant being AFDDs (Arc Fault Detection Devices) on certain circuits — particularly bedroom socket circuits and circuits in locations with higher fire risk.
We install AFDDs where the regulations require them. Some clients also choose to install AFDDs on additional circuits for extra protection — we'll discuss the options at survey stage.
Solar and EV ready
If you're planning solar, a battery or an EV charger, we upgrade your consumer unit with future load in mind:
- Split-load board — separate sections for normal use, solar feed-in, EV charging
- Dedicated circuits — each new device on its own properly-rated breaker
- Spare ways — leave room for future additions without another upgrade
- DNO meter tail upgrade if your existing tails aren't rated for the increased load
If you're booking solar or an EV charger with us, we'll size and quote the consumer unit upgrade as part of the project — fixed price, no surprises on install day.
Pricing
Pricing includes the EIC, Part P notification, and any required upgrades to meter tails or earthing. Additional rewire elements quoted separately if needed.
How long does it take?
A standard consumer unit swap is typically a half-day to full-day job. We give you 48 hours' notice minimum. Power is off for around 3-5 hours during the testing and installation phase — we work around your day where possible.
You receive the EIC the same day; the Building Control compliance certificate arrives in the post within 30 days.
Get a fixed-price consumer unit quote
Free survey across Milton Keynes, Bletchley and Buckinghamshire. No nasty surprises on install day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a consumer unit upgrade cost in Milton Keynes?
Do I need a new consumer unit for solar panels?
How long is the power off for?
Will the new board look different?
Do I need AFDDs?
What's the difference between a fuse box and a consumer unit?
Will Building Control come out to inspect?
Is my old board safe to use until you replace it?
Ready to get started?
Free no-obligation quotes from your local MCS & NAPIT certified installer in Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire.