Looking for a Consumer unit upgrade Electrician?

1) Consumer Unit Upgrades in Leeds, Harrogate, Wetherby and Boston Spa

We recently replaced a consumer unit in Harrogate where the house had two older boards feeding different parts of the property. We combined them into one new 18th Edition compliant consumer unit, fitted surge protection, and installed individual RCBOs for each circuit.

That sort of job is exactly why I don’t believe in “just swapping the fusebox”. Before we change any consumer unit, we carry out a full EICR so we know what condition the installation is in first. It avoids surprises, nuisance tripping, circuits that won’t re-energise, and extra costs appearing halfway through the job.

I’m Craig Wright from SmartOhm Electrical and Smart Home. I’ve been working as an electrician for 21 years, and consumer unit upgrades are one of the most common planned jobs we carry out across Leeds, Harrogate, Wetherby, Boston Spa and nearby areas.

2) Fusebox and consumer unit upgrades done properly

A modern consumer unit gives your home better protection than many older fuseboards. In most cases, we’re upgrading older boards so each circuit has proper RCD protection, RCBO protection, surge protection where required, and clear labelling.

We’ve carried out consumer unit upgrades across Bramley, Armley, Farsley, Pudsey, Meanwood, Moortown, Alwoodley, Shadwell and Harrogate. Some are straightforward replacements. Others involve tidying up years of alterations, old extensions, DIY additions, outside supplies, garage circuits, or two boards that should really be brought into one cleaner installation.

The best way to deal with this is to inspect first, quote properly, then replace the board once we know the existing wiring is suitable.

3) Why we carry out an EICR before every upgrade

Before any consumer unit upgrade, we carry out a full Electrical Installation Condition Report. This follows best practice guidance for replacing consumer units in domestic properties and helps us check compatibility and safety before changing the board.

This matters because fitting RCBOs to faulty circuits can expose problems that were already there. You can end up with tripping, sockets not coming back on, lights failing to re-energise, or faults that need further investigation.

We’d rather find that before the upgrade, not after your old board has already been removed.

4) What’s involved when you book with us

First, you send an enquiry by phone or through the website. We’ll have a short chat about what you’re looking for and whether it’s a planned upgrade, a faulty board, or part of wider electrical work.

Next, we arrange a free quote visit so we can assess the board, earthing, bonding, circuits, access and general condition of the installation.

After that, we produce a detailed written proposal and quotation. A typical consumer unit upgrade starts from £1200 with the EICR included, but the final price depends on what the EICR finds.

Once agreed, we arrange a convenient date, carry out the work, test everything properly and provide certification.

5) What others often get wrong

We regularly see consumer unit upgrades offered as a quick swap. Sometimes that’s from unregistered electricians, and sometimes from registered electricians trying to keep the price low.

The problem is simple. They turn up, replace the board, then discover circuits won’t re-energise or the new protection keeps tripping. At that point, the homeowner gets told: “this needs investigating”, “that circuit is faulty”, or “it’ll cost extra to sort”.

In most cases, that can be avoided by inspecting and testing first.

Another issue is certification. Replacing a consumer unit is notifiable work under Building Regulations, so Building Control needs to be dealt with correctly. As a NAPIT registered electrician, we can handle the correct certification route, which is usually the easiest and most cost-effective way for the homeowner.

6) Why homeowners choose SmartOhm

I turn up when I say I will. I do what I say I’ll do. I treat your home with respect.

That sounds basic, but it’s what most people actually want when they’re comparing quotes. Clear advice, a proper written price, tidy work, and no nonsense once the job starts.

SmartOhm is NAPIT registered, a Which? Trusted Trader, and we have 80+ reviews. We’re also Lutron and Rako trained, so we’re used to working in homes where the electrics need to be right, tidy and future-ready.

We install reputable brands we know and trust, including Fusebox and Hager. Product warranties depend on the manufacturer, and our workmanship comes with a lifetime warranty.

7) FAQ SECTION

Why do you carry out an EICR first?
Because it tells us whether the existing installation is safe and compatible with a new consumer unit. It helps avoid nuisance tripping, circuits not coming back on, and extra costs appearing after the board has already been changed.

Is a consumer unit replacement notifiable?
Yes, replacing a consumer unit is notifiable work. As a NAPIT registered electrician, we can deal with the certification correctly rather than leaving you to sort Building Control yourself.

What brands do you install?
We use reputable brands we know and trust, including Fusebox and Hager. We choose equipment based on the property, number of circuits and the protection required.

Will the power be off during the work?
Yes, the power will need to be isolated while the consumer unit is replaced and tested. We’ll explain what to expect before the day so you can plan around it.

What happens if you find faults?
We’ll explain what we’ve found and give you a clear, honest assessment. The whole point of testing first is to identify problems before the upgrade is committed to.

Do you guarantee the work?
Yes, our workmanship comes with a lifetime warranty. Product warranties depend on the manufacturer and the specific consumer unit installed.

8) Consumer units near me

If you’re searching for consumer units near me, fusebox replacement near me, or electrician Leeds, we cover Leeds and surrounding areas including Harrogate, Wetherby and Boston Spa.

We also help homeowners who are planning larger work, such as a Rewire Leeds project, extensions, kitchen upgrades, smart lighting or home automation where the existing consumer unit needs upgrading first.

If you’re planning a consumer unit upgrade in Leeds, Harrogate, Wetherby or Boston Spa, get in touch. I’m happy to take a look, explain what’s needed, and give you honest advice with no obligation.

Contact us today by phone -  0113 436 0017 or via our contact form.