How much to change a consumer unit

[MerlinGremlin]

Evening guys, I was just wondering how much everyone charges for a board change? Just in general, upstairs ring, downstairs ring, upstairs lights, downstairs lights, boiler supply and shower supply, replace the tails to 25mm and Main Earth to 16mm.

 

[Octopus]

Your day rate plus parts and overheads and part P

Why are you changing tails?

 

[Phil Thompson]

I'd charge £350 usually. I'm Northern Ireland though, most other areas of UK, London and surrounding area will be much higher as cost of living is higher.

 

[The Ghost]

Depends on test results and state of wiring. Also how many circuits. Accessibility and so on. Then there is the fact that people do it for £80-100 irregardless. So pitch yourself in the middle of that lot and pick a number. But anyway @Murdoch has got it right I reckon. I guess @Phil Thompson is around the right price for what you describe. Last box I did was £550 took me eleven hours and the electrics were horrendous the box high up in a confined space and working out he circuits was pure hell.

 

[Phil Thompson]

Depends on test results and state of wiring. Also how many circuits. Accessibility and so on. Then there is the fact that people do it for £80-100 irregardless. So pitch yourself in the middle of that lot and pick a number. But anyway @Murdoch has got it right I reckon. I guess @Phil Thompson is around the right price for what you describe. Last box I did was £550 took me eleven hours and the electrics were horrendous the box high up in a confined space and working out he circuits was pure hell.

Board changes are definitely hit and miss aren't they. Lol
Some can be a piece of cake and others are a complete and utter nightmare.

 

[MerlinGremlin]

I was just curious to see what other people charged for a typical board change, I know there's other factors to take into account etc. I start at £400 including EIC cert and Part P registration then dependant on earth size to gas and water that could be additional cost.

 

[Midwest]

For a standard size dual RCD CU, including new tails (old ones are always too short) & EC, £400. Rectification of faults, upgrading bonding extra.

 

[LankyWill]

Half price if they choose bang test option.

 

[sparkdog]

£400 upwards.

 

[RWJ]

Depends on the size of the board, size of the house, access to and ease of replacing said board. Bonding and how you will get bonding installed (if needed).
Items that will need testing / anything hard to test etc.

 

[Octopus]

Thing is that there are far too variables .......... including where you are in the UK and how busy/desperate your are...........

And there are occasions I will decline to do a CU change unless I do a full or partial EICR first...... to determine if adding RCD's is only going to mean the power going off on a regular basis............

 

[telectrix]

question now is... how many psychiatrists does it take to change a CU.

answer.... only one, but the CU has to want t o change.

 

[Dave OCD]

How many of us in the past, being totally honest have changed out an old board with only circuit identification and 'I hope the RCD/s don't trip' testing ? Answers on a postcard........

 

[Cadgey123]

How many of us in the past, being totally honest have changed out an old board with only circuit identification and 'I hope the RCD/s don't trip' testing ? Answers on a postcard........

We have all probably done it, but I test my jobs so I can sleep sound at night.

 

[Dave OCD]

Of course, and all the more so in this day and age. But I reckon 99% have done it.

 

[Cadgey123]

Of course, and all the more so in this day and age. But I reckon 99% have done it.

I just reckon it's pretty embarrassing to have the C.U mounted and nearly done then you are hunting for faults, customers are scratching their heads.
Address the issues first and at least they know what they are getting themselves in for.

 

[Phil Thompson]

I've done it when working for others, but want to do things correctly for my own business.

I have seen a board change done and not only is testing a board just hitting the test button on both RCD's, but both lighting circuits get loaded on the same RCD, just in case there's a borrowed neutral. Don't even wait to see or check if the 2 neutrals have continuity in them, just put them on the same RCD and everything will work fine.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

I've done it when working for others, but want to do things correctly for my own business.

I have seen a board change done and not only is testing a board just hitting the test button on both RCD's, but both lighting circuits get loaded on the same RCD, just in case there's a borrowed neutral. Don't even wait to see or check if the 2 neutrals have continuity in them, just put them on the same RCD and everything will work fine.

The shared neutral is one of the things i purposefully set out to check for in a house before even giving a price. when you explain it to the customer they are slightly bemused.
I have often seen all lighting on one breaker and sometimes a empty 6 amp on the other rcd, i do wonder if when they turned the switch on after the Cu change that the rcds tripped and this was the outcome?
a little bit of investigating before hand can often save a lot of work later on.

 

[a-z electrics]

The circuits you describe and reasonable access I would charge £350 total plus any repairs or extras. So assuming £25/hr this leaves £100 for materials which should usually be adequate for a 10 way box..
Can usually complete within 8 hours but I never rush them.. sometimes the cooker needs pulling out and cable disconnecting which can be awkward, also DB low under the stairs can be a right sod for working on.
That's for a dual RCD, rcbos more of course not just the materials increase but an extra hour or so for more testing of trip tests, so maybe another 100 for that system.

 

[Pete999]

The circuits you describe and reasonable access I would charge £350 total plus any repairs or extras. So assuming £25/hr this leaves £100 for materials which should usually be adequate for a 10 way box..
Can usually complete within 8 hours but I never rush them.. sometimes the cooker needs pulling out and cable disconnecting which can be awkward, also DB low under the stairs can be a right sod for working on.
That's for a dual RCD, rcbos more of course not just the materials increase but an extra hour or so for more testing of trip tests, so maybe another 100 for that system.

£200 no questions, plus materials, just been stiffed by someone. so I'm feeling miffed.