EICR Fail Fuse Box / Consumer Unit Replacement — North London
Failed your EICR on the consumer unit? Here’s what each code actually means, what we install to pass re-test, and the 2026 pricing — fixed before we start, no surprises mid-job. From £800 with same-day EIC certificate.
Why Choose Rudi Electrics
for EICR Fail Fuse Box / Consumer Unit Replacement?
Your concerns answered — here’s why North London homeowners and landlords trust us for fuse box replacement and consumer unit upgrades.
“Will I get a fixed price or surprise extras?”
Fixed price quote after a free survey. We check incoming supply, earthing, circuits and HMO requirements before quoting — the figure you see is the figure you pay. Standard 5–7 way RCBO board from £800; 8–12 way premium boards from £950; 16+ way large-property boards from £1,200.
“How long will my power be off?”
Most installs are completed in 3–4 hours with a single short power-off window. We pre-run new tails, isolate at the main switch, swap the board, and re-energise circuit-by-circuit while testing. Fridge / freezer planning is part of the survey conversation, not a surprise on the day.
“Are you fitting a quality unit, not a cheap import?”
Only FuseBox, Wylex, Hager or Schneider consumer units — never unbranded imports. Type A or AC RCBOs as required, Type 2 SPD as standard, and AFDDs on bedroom circuits where landlord HMO compliance requires it. All BS EN 61439-3 listed.
“Will it pass building control and EICR?”
Every install is notified to Building Control through our NICEIC registration (D609991) and you receive a full BS 7671 18th Edition Amendment 2 Electrical Installation Certificate within 24 hours. Insurer-accepted, mortgage-accepted, and remedial-friendly for any future EICR.
Finchley N3 — 3-bed 1930s semi, two C1 codes plus four C2s, cleared in 5 hours
Two C1 (immediate danger) codes and four C2 (potential danger) codes on the EICR. Tenant in occupation, landlord on a 28-day council remediation notice. We surveyed Wednesday, fixed-quote Thursday morning, install Tuesday, EIC certificate emailed at 16:00 the same day.
- Original 6-way Wylex wood-back board, no RCD anywhere (C2)
- Cracked plastic cover over bathroom circuit fuse (C1)
- No main bonding to gas (C1)
- Single-pole switching on TT earth (C2)
- Loose busbar at incomer (C2)
- Missing 10mm² protective bonding (C2)
- 14-way RCBO consumer unit (FuseBox-branded fuse board, Type 2 SPD built in)
- Fresh main earth conductor to the cutout
- 10mm² main bonding to gas + water (current spec)
- 100A main switch, 25mm² meter tails
- Full BS 7671 testing, every circuit dead-tested
- EIC certificate sent direct to original assessor for re-test
The EICR re-test cleared cleanly on the Friday after install — no codes. Council notice resolved. Total job: £950 fixed for the 3-bed 1930s semi tier (Premium 8–12 way RCBO board), no extras, no callout fee. Same pattern works on any failed EICR where the codes are board-related: full RCBO + SPD + main bonding upgrade clears C1 and C2 codes that relate to the consumer unit.
I'm Rudi — I run Rudi Electrics, an NICEIC-registered contracting business based in Edmonton, covering all 8 North London boroughs. If your EICR has come back failed and the assessor's flagged the consumer unit, send me the report and I'll come back with a fixed-price quote within 24 hours. No callout fee, no obligation, written quote you can compare.
What Our Customers Say About Us
Real reviews from homeowners and landlords across North London — Edmonton, Enfield, Palmers Green, Walthamstow, Finchley and beyond. Live Google reviews below — for all reviews across platforms, see our testimonials page →
Our Fuse Box / Consumer Unit Installations
Real jobs completed across North London — FuseBox & Wylex RCBO boards, fully certified.
Book Your Free Fuse Box / Consumer Unit Survey
Tell us about your North London property and we’ll arrange a free no-obligation survey — fixed price quote within 24 hours.
NICEIC Registered
All installs by an NICEIC Registered electrician (D609991) — fully BS 7671 18th Ed Amendment 2 compliant and accepted by mortgage lenders, insurers and Building Control.
Fixed Price Quote
Free site survey, fixed-price quote within 24 hours — no hourly billing, no surprise extras. From £800 standard, £950 premium, £1,200 large boards.
Same-Day Install
Most fuse box replacements completed in 3–4 hours on the day. Power back on the same evening with a single short isolation window.
From £800
Standard 5–7 way RCBO board from £800. Premium 8–12 way from £950. 16+ way large-property boards from £1,200. HMO compliance pack quoted bespoke.
🔒 Your details are kept private and never shared. We'll call within 24 hours.
Signs Your North London Property Needs a New Fuse Box / Consumer Unit
Six tells we look for on every EICR-fail fuse-box survey. If two or more apply, a board replacement is usually the right call — not a repair.
Tripping that won’t reset
If your RCD trips and resets briefly then drops again the same evening, that’s a fault on a circuit — not a fuse box that just “needs a swap”. We isolate it during the install so the new board doesn’t inherit the same fault.
Burning smell or scorch marks
Brown discolouration around the main switch or burning plastic smell from the meter cupboard means heat damage at the consumer unit. Stop using high-load appliances and call us — this is a same-day priority job.
Wirewound or rewireable fuses
Old porcelain fuse holders with rewireable wire, or cartridge fuses with no MCBs at all, mean the board is from before 1980 and has zero RCD protection. EICR will fail it on C2; insurers may refuse claims.
Failed EICR or insurer refusal
C1 or C2 codes for “no RCD on socket circuits”, “outdated consumer unit”, or “non-compliant with current standards” are all board-level fixes. Send us the EICR and we’ll quote remedial work without a survey.
HMO licensing inspection
Council HMO licensing now requires AFDDs on bedroom circuits (BS 7671 Amendment 2). If your existing board has no AFDDs and you’re renewing a licence, the inspection will flag it. Per-flat boards with AFDD are the standard fix.
Frequent appliance damage
If your TV, fridge, or boiler PCB has died more than once in the last few years, that’s typically a Type 2 SPD problem — older boards have no surge protection. New install adds SPD as standard.
How We Replace Your
Fuse Box / Consumer Unit
Professional install from start to finish. Most fuse box replacements complete in 3-4 hours with minimal disruption to your home.
Initial Assessment
We check your incoming supply, earthing arrangement (TT vs TN-C-S), circuit count, RCD/SPD status, EICR history if any, and confirm whether AFDDs are required (HMO sleeping rooms). The survey is free with no obligation and you get a written fixed-price quote within 24 hours.
Isolation & Removal
DNO main fuse pulled with permission, existing tails isolated, old board removed cleanly. We cap and label every circuit before disconnecting so reconnection is methodical, not guesswork. No live working at any stage.
New Unit Installation
Modern consumer unit (FuseBox, Wylex, Hager or Schneider) fitted with new 25mm meter tails, 100A main switch, full RCBO protection per circuit, Type 2 SPD on the main bus, and AFDDs where required. Cables labelled and torque-checked.
Testing & Verification
Full BS 7671 testing: insulation resistance (every circuit), Zs / Ze loop impedance, RCD trip times, SPD verification, polarity checks, and earth fault path. Any pre-existing fault is logged and discussed before we re-energise.
Fault Finding (If Needed)
If a circuit fails testing on the new board (typically a hidden borrowed neutral or insulation breakdown on an existing run), we find and fix it the same day where possible. Most fixes add £80–£180; major issues are quoted before any extra work starts.
Certification & Handover
Electrical Installation Certificate issued, photographed install record, written labels inside the board, Building Control notification through our NICEIC registration, and a verbal walkthrough of the new RCBOs and SPD test buttons. 12-month workmanship guarantee starts on handover.
Fuse Box / Consumer Unit Replacement Pricing
Quick reference for North London homeowners. Fixed quotes given after a free site survey.
- ✓ New RCBO / Dual RCD consumer unit
- ✓ 100A main switch & 25mm meter tails
- ✓ Type 2 SPD surge protection
- ✓ Full BS 7671 testing & certification
- ✓ 12-month workmanship guarantee
- ★ 8–12 way full RCBO board
- ★ Individual circuit protection
- ★ Type 2 SPD & 100A main switch
- ★ FuseBox / Wylex / Hager premium unit
- ★ Priority install scheduling
- ✓ 16+ way full RCBO board
- ✓ Individual circuit protection
- ✓ Type 2 SPD & 100A main switch
- ✓ Full circuit schedule documentation
- ✓ 12-month workmanship guarantee
EICR Fail Codes By Fault Type
Four patterns turn up on almost every EICR fail report I see. Each one means the existing consumer unit has to go — remediation alone won't pass the re-test.
No RCD Protection
C2 (potential danger)
The original 6-way Wylex wood-back board (a wooden distribution board common on 1960s–80s installs) has no RCD anywhere. Every circuit gets a C2 minimum. Lenders, insurers and HMO licensing all expect modern RCD protection. Fix: full RCBO board.
Damaged Enclosure / Loose Busbar
C1 (immediate danger)
Cracked covers, scorch marks at terminals, loose busbar connections behind the cover. C1 immediate danger — doesn't matter how new the board looks. Fix: replace, don't repair.
Single-Pole Switching on TT Earth
C2 (potential danger)
Pre-2008 boards on a TT-earthed property (no PME from the supply) often have single-pole switches that can't isolate the neutral on fault. Common in older Edmonton, Tottenham and Hackney terraces.
Asbestos Backing on Original
C2 + abatement required
Some 1960s wood-back Wylex boards (also called fuse boards or distribution boards) have asbestos backing. We don't disturb it — UKAS-accredited abatement contractor handles removal before we install the new board. Always quoted in writing first.
Failed EICR with codes that look like any of these?
Get a Fixed-Price Quote →EICR Fail Fuse Box / Consumer Unit FAQ
The questions I get asked most when an EICR has come back failed and the assessor's flagged the consumer unit.
What does it mean if my EICR has a C1 on the consumer unit? ▼
C1 = "danger present, immediate action required." On a consumer unit (also called a fuse box or fuse board) it usually means exposed conductors (cracked cover, missing blanking piece) or no RCD on a high-risk circuit (bathroom, kitchen, outdoor sockets). The property fails EICR and the assessor's report typically goes to the council, lender, or insurer with a recommendation to isolate the affected circuit until the board is replaced.
Replacing the board with a full RCBO unit clears C1 codes related to the consumer unit. Re-test passes cleanly on every EICR-fail board change I've done since 2020.
Will replacing the board pass a re-test on its own? ▼
If the original failure was on the board itself (no RCD, wood-back, damaged enclosure, single-pole switching), yes — the board change passes the re-test. We test every circuit during install, so any pre-existing circuit faults get caught and remediated in the same visit (added to the quote in writing first — never silent).
If the EICR also flagged separate circuit faults (insulation breakdown, dead earth, undersized cable), those need fixing alongside the board. Survey identifies all of this before quoting — no surprises.
How much does an EICR-fail board change cost? ▼
From £800 for a Standard 5–7 way RCBO board (small flat / 1–2 bed), from £950 for a Premium 8–12 way RCBO board (3–4 bed standard), from £1,200 for a Large 16+ way RCBO board (4+ bed / large detached). HMO compliance packs (with per-letting-room AFDDs and council-ready certificate) start at £1,500.
All prices include the new RCBO consumer unit (also called fuse board or distribution board), Type 2 SPD, main bonding upgrade to 10mm², full BS 7671 testing, EIC certificate within 24 hours, Part P notification, and the 12-month workmanship guarantee.
Do I need a full rewire or just a board change? ▼
For most EICR fails on the consumer unit, just a board change. A full rewire is only justified when the report shows multiple circuit-level failures (rubber-insulated lighting, missing earth on multiple circuits, undersized ring throughout) on top of the board issue.
If you're not sure where you stand, send me the failed report and I'll give you a straight read: targeted remedial, board change only, partial rewire, or full rewire — with the actual price for each option.
How long is power off during the install? ▼
Whole-house power is off only for the changeover itself — typically a 4-hour mid-morning window with 24 hours' notice. Wi-Fi router, fridge and any essential equipment can stay on a temporary supply during the changeover if needed.
The rest of the work (board mounting, cable terminations, testing, certification) happens with the supply isolated at the cutout, but most of it doesn't disrupt the property — tenants stay home, kids stay on schoolwork, the heating boiler comes back on first.
What if you find more issues mid-install? ▼
The fixed quote covers everything in the scope walked at survey. If we open the cover and find an extra junction box, asbestos backing, or a previously-buried connection, we stop, document it with photos, and quote the remediation in writing before touching it. Nothing gets added to the bill silently.
On EICR-fail board changes the genuine surprises are usually one of three things: asbestos backing on the original wood-back board, a non-compliant earth bond hidden behind the meter, or a sub-circuit with insulation failure that wasn't picked up at the original test. All three have known cost ranges I'll talk you through if they come up.
Can you do the EICR re-test after the board change? ▼
Yes — we do an in-house EICR re-test after the install if you'd like one for the property's records. From £180 for a 1–2 bed flat (see the full EICR Cost Guide), £230 for a 3-bed flat or 2–3 bed house. The new EIC certificate from the install is usually accepted by your original EICR assessor for the re-test, but some councils / lenders prefer a fresh full EICR.
Tell me which the assessor / council / lender wants and we sort it — we don't push a re-test you don't need.
Will my insurance accept the new board? ▼
Yes, every time. The EIC certificate from the install is the document insurers want — it confirms the property meets BS 7671 18th Edition Amendment 2, which is the current standard. Most home insurers ask for the EIC date when there's been a recent EICR fail; the date the new board went in is what they record.
Some specialist insurers (older properties, listed buildings, HMOs) have additional asks — AFDD protection, surge protection rating, earthing system — all of which we install as standard. Send me your insurer's specific requirement and I'll confirm the spec covers it before we start.
Can a landlord let the property with a failed EICR until the board is replaced? ▼
No. Since 1 June 2020, private landlords in England must have a current passing EICR before letting (or within 6 months for existing tenancies). A failed EICR with C1 or C2 codes means the property doesn't meet the regulations, and council enforcement notices (Section 11, additional licensing) typically give 28 days to remediate.
Most council notices are satisfied by a board change + fresh EIC certificate — you don't need to wait for a full re-test EICR to let the property again. Send me the council notice and I'll confirm the timeline.
What happens to the old board? ▼
We remove it cleanly, take it away with us, and dispose of it through the same WEEE-licensed waste route every electrical contractor uses. Customer doesn't have a skip permit, doesn't pay disposal extra, doesn't have an old wood board sat in the garden for weeks. All in the quote.
If it's an asbestos-backed original (rare but possible on 1960s wood-back boards), the UKAS-accredited abatement contractor takes that under separate hazardous-waste consignment paperwork. Quoted in writing first.
Need a Fuse Box / Consumer Unit Replacement
in Edmonton?
Professional EICR-fail consumer unit replacements across all 8 North London boroughs — Enfield, Barnet, Haringey, Hackney, Brent, Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Newham. Free site survey, fixed prices, fully certified BS 7671 18th Ed Amendment 2.
































