Two things decide how straightforward a board change is, and neither of them is the unit itself. The first is the length and condition of the tails running from the meter across to the consumer unit. Where a board has been moved at some point — out of a cupboard, round a corner, along a hallway — those tails can be a good deal longer than anyone would run today, and their condition matters more than their age. The second is whether there is a switch between the meter and the board at all. Plenty of older installations have nothing of the sort, which means there is no way to take the supply off locally when work needs doing.
That second point changes how a job is arranged rather than whether it can be done. The service head and the fuse inside it belong to the network operator, not to us and not to the householder, so where the supply has to come off at that point it is organised properly with them beforehand instead of being improvised on the morning. Adding a switched isolator while the board is being changed makes every future job on the house simpler, and it is the sort of thing that costs very little when the cover is already off and a great deal of faff later.
Sometimes the honest answer is that the board should not go back where it came from. A unit tucked behind a boiler, above a worktop or at the back of a filled cupboard is a nuisance for the rest of its life. Relocating it is extra work and we will say so, but we will also say when it is worth it. Read the wider fuse board replacement service, start with an EICR in Bilston if the installation is an unknown quantity, see the rest of what we cover as an electrician in Bilston, look at EV charger installation in Bilston or a house rewire in Bilston, or ask for a free quote.
The supply end, the position and the unit — looked at together rather than one at a time.
We note where the existing unit is, what is around it and whether you can reach it without moving anything. In older Bilston housing boards turn up in some genuinely inconvenient places, and a change is the one chance to put that right cheaply.
Length, size and condition of the meter tails, plus how they are supported on the way. This is not glamorous and it is the part of an installation most likely to have been left as it was through two or three previous jobs.
Where there is no means of isolation between meter and board we will price fitting one and explain what it changes. It turns every future piece of work in the house from an arrangement into a job that can simply be done.
A steel-clad consumer unit with an RCBO on each way, so a fault stays on the circuit that caused it, with room for surge protection if you want it. Every way identified as it is reconnected rather than guessed at afterwards.
An Electrical Installation Certificate with the results for every circuit, a legible schedule inside the cover, and the change notified to building control through our NAPIT registration. Nothing for you to send off.
Four stages, with the awkward questions asked at the survey instead of on the morning.
Meter position, tails, means of isolation, earthing arrangement and how many ways the finished board needs to carry.
The unit, the number of ways, isolation if it is needed, relocation if you want it, and anything the testing says has to be dealt with first.
Where the supply has to be taken off at the service head, that is set up with the network operator in advance rather than left to chance.
Board changed, circuits reconnected and identified, full testing carried out, certificate issued and the work notified through NAPIT.
Fuse boards, inspections, rewires and chargers all get done by the same electrician in Bilston; the towns either side get the same fuse board service.
What comes up most when we quote a consumer unit change across WV14.
Often, yes. Moving a consumer unit means new tails and re-routing every circuit into the new position, so it is more work than a straight swap and it is priced as such. Where the existing spot is genuinely unusable we will tell you what the move involves and let you decide.
It is common in older installations and it is not dangerous in itself, but it means the supply cannot be isolated locally. We price fitting a means of isolation as part of the change wherever it is practical, because it makes everything after it easier.
The cut-out and its fuse belong to the network operator. Where the supply has to be broken at that point we arrange it with them properly beforehand. It is one of the reasons we prefer to look at an installation before committing to a date.
There is no single number to quote you — it depends on the size of the tails, how they are run and what protects them. What we can say is that a long run left over from an earlier alteration is worth looking at while the board is off, not afterwards.
Yes. Replacing a consumer unit is notifiable, and we notify it under our NAPIT registration through the Competent Person Scheme. You receive the Electrical Installation Certificate and there is nothing to submit yourself.
Regularly. Bilston keeps a lot of its original housing and the installations inside it have usually been altered more than once. That is exactly why we test and look before quoting rather than pricing from a description over the phone.
Real reviews from customers across Wolverhampton & the West Midlands. You deal directly with Adam, every time.
Adam had a flexible approach and wasn't fazed when the wiring wasn't as expected (the house is old and weird). He found the most effective way to fix the issue and make the system safe, with the absolute minimum of necessary damage.
ATF Electrics came out to fix our CCTV system that had 2 out of 4 cameras not working. After about 20 minutes he had located the wiring and fixed the issue. Quick job but saved me hundreds. So grateful for the help — will recommend to all my friends and family.
Asked for an emergency call-out on a Sunday afternoon — Adam did not hesitate and came in less than an hour. Found the fault instantly and laid out our options. Very polite, and didn't insist on what should be done — he let us decide.
Last minute call-out. Prompt, courteous and explained what he was doing and why, every step of the way. Now using plug sockets that three other electricians couldn't fix. 10/10.
Adam has installed a few sockets and new downlighters for us. Very quick, and kept the place nice and tidy. Definitely recommend him.
Emergency call-out due to an alarm fault. Adam was great, very friendly and helpful. Took his details so I can use him directly next time.
Fitted a new plug for me after another company who had fitted my appliance caused water to leak into the old wall plug. He arrived within half an hour of being called and completed the job in no time.
Adam was very efficient and friendly. He did a great job and left everything fixed and tidy. On time and great communication. Would definitely recommend.
Came out last minute on a Sunday evening to sort my broken shower out. Polite, great communication and above all professional. 10/10, will be using again!
He was very prompt in fitting me in. Polite and helpful, and the price was cheaper than expected. Definitely recommended.
I would recommend his services to anyone who needs an electrician.
Adam carried out an EICR on our property and I was really impressed with his service. Communication was excellent from start to finish, he was transparent with pricing, and provided a clear breakdown of any issues.
Bilston’s older streets have had meters relocated, cupboards built around them and boards mounted wherever the wall allowed. A fuse box replacement in Bilston therefore starts with the supply end and the position, not with the price of the unit — and that is what makes the difference between a tidy day and a surprise.
A free, no-obligation quote to replace a consumer unit in Bilston — including the tails, the isolation and the position, not just the box.
All work is completed by qualified and certified electricians, with relevant approvals and documentation provided where required.
