What Happens During a Consumer Unit Upgrade?

A consumer unit upgrade involves assessing the existing installation, selecting appropriate protection and completing the necessary testing. Understanding the stages helps you prepare and know what to discuss before work begins.

Assessing the Installation

The initial assessment considers the existing consumer unit, associated circuits and available electrical records.

Known faults or previous EICR observations should be shared at this stage. Existing defects may require investigation or remedial work alongside the proposed replacement.

Agreeing the Specification

The electrician explains suitable protection options and identifies the equipment and work included in the proposal.

Ask whether the price covers any necessary changes to earthing, bonding or other associated work. Additional requirements should be explained rather than assumed.

Preparing for the Work

Consumer unit replacement requires interruption to the electrical supply. Discuss the expected arrangements in advance, particularly if someone relies on electrical equipment or works from home.

Access to the unit and relevant areas of the installation will also be needed. The preparation and expected duration should be confirmed for your property.

Installation, Testing and Handover

After installation, the appropriate inspection and testing are carried out. Any additional findings should be explained, and their next steps agreed.

The handover should cover the installed equipment, relevant operating information and appropriate certification.

Please keep the documentation with the property’s electrical records to ensure it is available for future inspections or alterations.

To discuss a consumer unit upgrade with Spark, use Get Started and include your property details, any existing report and a safe external photograph of the current unit.