Consumer Unit Upgrade Cost Guide
Edinburgh 2026: RCD vs RCBO & What to Expect

Consumer Unit Upgrade Costs in Edinburgh 2026

A consumer unit upgrade (also called a fuse box replacement) is one of the most common electrical jobs carried out in Edinburgh homes. Costs vary based on property size, the number of circuits and the type of consumer unit specified.

All prices include labour, materials and same-day EIC certification. Surge protection device (SPD) is an additional £80–£120.

RCD vs RCBO Consumer Units — Which is Right for Your Edinburgh Property?

This is the most common question we get asked when quoting consumer unit upgrades across Edinburgh. Here's the honest answer:

RCD Consumer Units

A standard RCD (Residual Current Device) consumer unit groups circuits together under shared RCDs. If a fault occurs on one circuit, the RCD protecting that group trips — potentially knocking out several circuits at once. For example, a fault on your kitchen ring main might also trip your downstairs lighting circuit if they share an RCD.

RCD boards are less expensive and perfectly adequate for many Edinburgh properties. They're the minimum standard required for compliance.

RCBO Consumer Units

An RCBO (Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent protection) unit gives each circuit its own individual protection device. A fault on one circuit only trips that circuit — all other circuits remain live. This is significantly more convenient and is our recommendation for most Edinburgh homes.

The cost difference between an RCD and RCBO board is typically £100–£200 — a modest premium for a significant improvement in convenience and protection.

When Does an Edinburgh Property Need a Consumer Unit Upgrade?

• Old rewirable fuses

  If your Edinburgh property still has ceramic rewirable fuses rather than modern MCBs, it needs upgrading. These are a fire risk and don't provide adequate protection.

• No RCD protection

  Properties without RCD protection don't meet current safety standards. This is particularly common in Edinburgh properties built before 1990.

• Mortgage or insurance requirement

  Many Edinburgh mortgage lenders and insurers require a modern consumer unit with full RCD protection. This is one of the most common triggers for upgrades we see across Edinburgh.

• EICR C1 or C2 observation

  If your Edinburgh property's EICR has flagged the consumer unit as a C1 or C2 observation, remedial work is required to achieve a satisfactory result.

• Frequent tripping

  If your Edinburgh property's circuits trip regularly, a new consumer unit with RCBO protection can significantly reduce disruption.

• Adding new circuits

  If you're adding an EV charger, electric shower or other high-demand circuit to your Edinburgh property, we'll assess whether your existing board has capacity or needs upgrading.

How Long Does a Consumer Unit Upgrade Take in Edinburgh?

Most consumer unit upgrades in Edinburgh properties are completed in a single day. You'll be without power for a period during the work — typically 2–4 hours for the main installation phase. We aim to restore the supply as quickly as possible and will work around any specific requirements you have.

Your Electrical Installation Certificate is issued on the same day as the upgrade. This is the document your mortgage lender, insurer or solicitor will require.