What should I prepare before a consumer unit upgrade?
Before a consumer unit upgrade, clear access to the existing board and move furniture or stored items that could obstruct our work. Make a note of any essential equipment, such as alarms, servers or medical devices, so we can plan the temporary power interruption safely.
The most useful preparation is to gather information about the existing installation and decide what the home may need in future. That helps us select a suitable consumer unit and identify work that should be dealt with at the same time.
- Find any existing paperwork. An electrical installation certificate, previous EICR, inspection report or details of earlier alterations can show what has already been tested. If you cannot find anything, tell us. We can assess the installation without relying on missing documents.
- Make a note of any recurring faults. Tell us about trips, flickering lights, buzzing sounds, warm accessories, damaged sockets or circuits that have stopped working. These details help us investigate the cause rather than treating the consumer unit as the only problem.
- List equipment connected outside the main house. Include garage and outbuilding supplies, garden sockets, electric gates, pumps, immersion heaters, water features and external lighting. These circuits may need separate checks and must be accounted for in the new arrangement.
- Tell us about existing or planned electrical equipment. Solar panels, battery storage, an EV charger, electric heating or a future extension can affect the space and capacity needed in the consumer unit. Mentioning these plans before the work starts can avoid choosing equipment that limits later changes.
- Explain anything that cannot be switched off normally. If someone relies on electrically powered medical equipment, or if a freezer, aquarium or other system needs particular care, tell us before the installation date. We can take that requirement into account when planning the work.
Do not remove the consumer unit cover, alter wiring or try to diagnose a fault before we arrive. Parts of the installation can remain live even when a circuit appears to be off. Report anything unusual instead, especially a burning smell, scorching, buzzing or heat around the board.
Think about where the replacement board should go if the existing position is cramped or difficult to reach. We need to consider safe operation, cable routes and the incoming supply, not just whether the new unit fits on the wall. A change of position may involve additional work, so we will explain the practical options before proceeding.
An upgrade does not automatically correct every defect elsewhere in the installation. During the assessment, we may find damaged accessories, poor connections, inadequate earthing or circuits that need further testing. We will explain what we find and separate essential remedial work from improvements that can be planned later.
If the property is rented, arrange the necessary permission with the landlord or managing agent before the installation. Keep details of alarm systems, smart-home equipment and access-controlled doors available, as these may need resetting after the electrical supply is restored.
Our NICEIC-registered electricians carry out the electrical work in line with the relevant requirements, with ECA membership providing an additional recognised standard for electrical contracting. After the work, ask for the certification and any test results that apply to the installation. Keep them with the property records, particularly if you may sell, remortgage or let the home later.
Before work starts, we provide a written quotation explaining the agreed work and any exclusions. If testing reveals a separate issue, we discuss it with you before carrying out chargeable additional work. That leaves you able to make an informed decision rather than preparing for an open-ended job.
Testing doesn’t stop at the new board. We may need to check sockets, switches, lights and fixed equipment around the property once the upgrade is complete. Unlock rooms, cupboards, garages and outbuildings that contain electrical points, and move anything blocking them.
Keep the property accessible until those checks are finished. We’ll confirm that the circuits operate correctly, investigate anything that doesn’t, and explain any separate defect before suggesting further work.