Thinking about replacing your fuse board? Before we get started, we’d recommend having an EICR carried out first.
At Maytrics, a new fuse board can cost around £500–£1,000, with an EICR typically around £150–£250 depending on the property. It might seem like an extra expense, but it gives us a chance to check the existing electrics properly and make sure there aren’t any problems waiting to surprise you once the new board is fitted.
Why do you need an EICR first?
This is something that catches homeowners out from time to time. The fuse board is only one part of the electrical installation. Before we fit a new board, we’d like to know what’s happening with the wiring, sockets, lights and other electrical circuits around the house. That’s where an EICR, or Electrical Installation Condition Report, comes in.
It gives us the chance to check the condition of the existing installation and identify anything that needs attention.
EICR before a fuse board upgrade – what does it tell you?
An EICR can highlight faults or potential problems that aren’t immediately obvious. This was exactly the situation at a three-bedroom mid-terrace house on Cedar Avenue in Blackwater. The homeowners had only owned the property for around six months and didn’t have any records showing when electrical work had previously been carried out.
They’d contacted us for a quote for a new fuse board and were a little surprised when we recommended an EICR before getting started. Another electrician they’d spoken to hadn’t mentioned it.
What could happen if you just replace the fuse board?
The existing fuse board at Cedar Avenue didn’t have RCD protection, so upgrading it was certainly worth considering. However, fitting a new board without checking the rest of the installation first could potentially uncover problems later.
For example, the existing wiring could have faults that the old fuse board hadn’t highlighted. Once you install a modern board with improved protection, those faults may become apparent.
There’s also the possibility that the condition of the wiring could mean further work is needed, potentially even a rewire. Nobody wants to find that out after they’ve already paid for a new fuse board. That’s why an EICR before a fuse board upgrade can be such a sensible move.
Does every fuse board replacement need an EICR?
Not necessarily, but we’d always recommend considering the condition and history of the existing installation. If you know when the wiring was installed, have recent inspection records and understand the history of the electrical system, there may already be useful information available.
If, like the Cedar Avenue homeowners, you’ve recently bought a property and have very little information about its electrical history, an EICR before a fuse board upgrade gives everyone a much better starting point.
At Maytrics, we’d rather take a little extra time at the beginning than have you discover an unexpected problem further down the line. If you’re considering an EICR before a fuse board upgrade in Blackwater, we’re happy to talk through what you need and why we recommend it.
Contact Maytrics today by phone on 01252 266277 or via our contact form to discuss your electrical requirements.
