To think this is high for a consumer unit?

[TotHappy]

We're having work done on our 3 bed, 3 reception old semi and have just had an initial quote from the electrician recommended by our kitchen fitter. When he came round to quote he said he'd do the consumer unit first and that would give him a better idea for the rest of the work. I'm not disputing we need a new consumer unit, it's ancient but the quotes come in today for £1160. AIBU to think this is high? I've budgeted £5000 for all electrics and was expecting this part to be a couple of hundred lower really. We're in the South West of England.

My mum paid £700 last year for a small bungalow in the north. Dh thought that was a lot.

Fundamentally, everything is more than you think it’s going to be right now.

😆 ain't that the truth! I need the work done fairly soon so now not sure if I need to get another 2 quotes or just pay it - DH is of the opinion we just pay it.

I paid £300 a couple of months ago for a new consumer unit in a 3 bed semi.

The units are about £100. Have you had the existing wiring tested to determine what needs replacing?

No - I gathered that it will need replacing before any work can be done because they wouldn't be able to add anything to any circuits with the age of the units.

Here's what the quote narrative said:

Carry out full installation condition report on property to determine overall condition off electrics before quoting for other Electrical work.
Replace old consumer unit for new 18th edition metal clad consumer unit with SPD and RCBO protection.
Install new earth, Rod.
Install Earth Bonds to main services.

Any remedial work that is discovered on the electrical test will be quoted separately before the replacement of the consumer unit.
£967.31 ✕ 1

So that 'determine what needs replacing' is also part of this quote I guess?

We are getting a new one for around £1k. This is in central London. My neighbours paid £800 a few years ago for the same thing.

So not just a consumer unit then.

TBH I don't think the price is that high. But ...

I am unsure why he needs to replace the consumer unit to get a "better idea" on the rest of the work.

If you think he is expensive the only solution is to get more quotes.

That's exactly what I had done last year. Similar price. The survey took about half a day, and we're a tiny house, but we had several issues they resolved in the process for free.

I was just relieved we didn't need the house rewired!

Yes, they've quoted to do an EICR and replace the consumer unit (which is good, because you have to have a new EICR if you replace the CU, so better to do them together, or you end up paying for 2)

I'm also in the SW and commission this sort of thing as part of my job. We'd allow about 12/1300 plus VAT. It'll be at the higher end because it's a metal one.

Do they have to move it? Old ones are often very high up / low down and don't meet current regs for position, so that would add some cost too.

@GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut I hope not! He didn't say he would have to move it. It's above head height (maybe not for him, it is for me) but I can reach it on tiptoe so I wouldn't say very inaccessible. Can't think where else it would go.

Thank you for your experience, that's really helpful. Is a metal one a gold standard, or needed for any reason? He didn't offer me any different types...

That's reassuring. I didn't follow what he was quoting for exactly.
We need to move the oven supply and add an outlet for electric shower as well as lots of lighting changes/additions and some new sockets/move sockets. I too am desperately hoping he doesn't just condemn the entire electrics of the house! There are so many things that look like a botch job to my inexpert eye.

Its about right. Bear in mind there is a few hundred quid for the electrical paperwork you will need submitted to building control.

We paid similar for that.