HOW TO HIRE · ELECTRICAL · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
A consumer unit / fuse board upgrade in Ireland costs €350–€700 per unit, typically around €500. Here is how to check that in a minute, what to ask before you book, and what you must be handed when the job is done.
THE 60-SECOND VERSION
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Restricted to Registered Electrical Contractor (REC): a new circuit; a rewire; a new or replacement distribution board; work at the meter; a new supply to a bathroom or an outdoor area. Not restricted: replacing a light fitting like for like; replacing a socket front like for like.
Search the Safe Electric register for the name or the registration number before you agree a price. safeelectric.ie →
Issued by the Registered Electrical Contractor on completion of restricted works, once tested. It matters because it records that the work met the national wiring rules and was tested, and it is asked for on sale, remortgage and insurance.
Agree before the work starts that you will be handed completion certificate, and keep it with the house papers.
Expect public liability; ask who the insurer is and for the policy number. From a company, ask for the insurer, the limit and the VAT number, and ask who actually attends: the team that turns up may be employed, subcontracted or both, and only one of those is supervised by the firm you are paying.
Ask to see the current certificate of insurance — the insurer's name, the limit and the date it runs to.
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 a trader must tell you they are a trader, and your consumer rights — work carried out with reasonable skill and care, and a cooling-off period on a contract agreed in your home or online — apply to traders and not to private sellers. On Locufy the trader status is shown on the profile.
Look for the trader badge on the Locufy profile, and ask anyone else for it in writing before you agree a price.
VAT at 13.5%, the reduced rate Revenue publishes for this service. Ask whether the price you were given includes it. A trader under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge it; one over it must, and must show it separately.
Ask whether the figure you were given includes it, and for the VAT number if they are registered — Revenue publishes the rate for this service. revenue.ie →
A good answer: A number you can look up yourself before you agree a price — enhanced Surge Protection — many upgraded consumer units come with built-in surge protection, safeguarding your home electronics from voltage spikes.
A good answer: On the day the work is finished and tested, not posted on later — increased Circuit Capacity — A new fuse board can provide additional circuit capacity, allowing for more appliances and devices to be safely connected.
A good answer: A complicated brief needs a conversation before any work starts. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: The count is the first question you will be asked. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: It has to be settled before anything can be ordered. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Typically, the upgrade does not include any cosmetic work, such as painting or repairing walls after installation — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a consumer unit / fuse board upgrade job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
A good answer: Expect public liability; ask who the insurer is and for the policy number — labeling and Documentation — properly labelling circuits and providing documentation for future reference and compliance.
The figures are for the job, per unit, and a quote for your own is the only number that binds anyone. Consumer unit replacement and Circuit breaker upgrade each carry their own band. Consumer Unit / Fuse Board Upgrade price guide →
Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE
ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.
Or post the job free and let them come to you.
AFTER
MONEY BACK
Two public schemes touch electrical work in a home. Neither pays for the job itself; both are claimed for the equipment and its installation, and the amounts and the dates are SEAI's own.
Who: A homeowner, or anyone with off-street parking at the property. You do not have to own an electric vehicle to apply.
Who: The owner of a home built and occupied before 2025.
Schemes change. The amounts above were checked on the dates shown; the official page is the one that counts.
The cost can vary based on the complexity of the installation, the type of consumer unit required, and any additional electrical work needed. For instance, homes with outdated wiring may require more extensive upgrades.
Typically, a consumer unit upgrade can take anywhere from 2 to 5 hours, depending on the existing setup and any complications that may arise during installation. A qualified electrician will provide a more accurate estimate after assessing your home.
Many electricians offer emergency services, but same-day upgrades may depend on the availability of parts and the electrician's schedule. It's best to contact local professionals as soon as possible for urgent needs.
Yes, many electricians can handle multiple jobs simultaneously, such as rewiring or adding new circuits. This can save you time and potentially reduce overall costs.
Typically, the upgrade does not include any cosmetic work, such as painting or repairing walls after installation. Additionally, any unrelated electrical issues or upgrades outside the consumer unit are usually considered separate jobs.
Search the name or the registration number. If the number does not resolve to the name on the quote, stop there.
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