What does a fuse-board upgrade cost in Ireland?

The job is not complete when a new enclosure is mounted. Existing circuits must be identified, connected to suitable protective devices and tested. The final arrangement may use RCDs, RCBOs or a combination appropriate to the design. Ask the electrician to explain the proposed consumer unit and circuit protection in plain language, and to identify any assumptions made before testing.

• Survey and inspection of the existing board, supply arrangement and visible earthing or bonding.
• Consumer unit and protective devices sized for the actual circuit schedule.
• Isolation, removal, installation, circuit identification and labelling.
• Testing, fault findings, certification and a copy of the final circuit information.
• Making good, meter-board work or supply-company attendance identified separately.

A new board cannot make damaged or defective wiring safe. Testing may uncover insulation faults, borrowed neutrals, missing bonding, unsuitable tails or circuits that cannot be re-energised without repair. The electrician's published guide separates a clean replacement from a €900–€1,400 scenario involving remedial work. Ask for known work to be itemised and for a written process to approve faults discovered after isolation.[1]

If you are adding an EV charger, electric shower, heat pump or other substantial load, say so before the survey. The correct question may be whether the existing installation and supply are suitable for the planned work, not simply whether the old fuse board can be replaced.

Use a Registered Electrical Contractor and confirm what certificate applies to the proposed work. Safe Electric's registration rules require a valid completion certificate for Controlled Works constructed by the REC, signed by a Qualified Certifier. Safe Electric also explains that a contractor generally cannot certify work constructed by someone else without specific authorisation, so appoint the responsible REC before work begins.[3][4]

Keep the quotation, test documentation, certificate and invoice. Do not remove a board cover or attempt to identify live conductors yourself. If there is burning, heat, arcing or repeated unexplained tripping, stop using affected circuits where this can be done safely and seek urgent professional advice.

• Is this a fixed price after inspection, and does it include VAT?
• Which consumer unit and protective-device arrangement are proposed?
• How many circuits are included, and are testing, labels and certification included?
• What earthing, bonding, tails or meter-board work is known to be required?
• How will additional circuit faults be documented, priced and approved?
• How long will power be unavailable, and is any external coordination required?

Send clear photographs of the closed board and surrounding area, the property type and approximate age, county, known electrical problems and any planned new loads. Never remove the cover for a photograph.