Are you planning to finally replace that old meter box for a new one and are you curious about the cost of having your meter box replaced by a specialist? Renoca will be happy to help you with a clear price overview and information about the various options for a new meter cupboard.
Table of contents
- What does a meter cupboard cost?
- Price examples
- How exactly is this price made up?
- What does this price depend on?
What does a meter cupboard cost?
Not every meter cupboard is the same. To determine the price for replacing your fuse box, you need to know whether you need a 1-phase or a 3-phase fuse box. The difference between these two meter boxes is the connection. If the kWh meter indicates 220 – 230 V, you need a single-phase distribution box. If it says 380 – 400 V, a 3-phase distribution box is the right option. A single-phase distribution box can be recognised by the 2 wires coming from underneath the distribution box. A 3-phase distribution box has 4 wires at the bottom. A 1-phase or 3-phase distribution box is not a choice; it depends entirely on the house itself. Prices also depend on the number of groups you wish to install. The average prices per group include materials, assembly and VAT.
| Number of groups | Average prices 1-phase meter cupboard (incl. materials, assembly and VAT) | Average prices 3-phase meter cupboard (incl. materials, assembly and VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 groups | £ 365 – £ 530 | £ 535 – £ 555 |
| 5 groups | £ 490 – £ 560 | £ 565 – £ 620 |
| 6 groups | £ 515 – £ 515 £ 845 | £ 755 – £ 875 |
Find the best specialist for your project and get free quotes.
Start
Price examples
The number of groups you need in your new meter cupboard depends on the number of rooms in your house, the power requirements and the amount of ‘heavy’ appliances such as ovens, washing machines and dryers. Whereas you used to have the traditional 3-group boxes, these days it is desirable to put every major consumer in your home on a separate group. This eliminates the need to turn off your washing machine the moment you want to vacuum. Major consumers that require their own group are the washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, oven/microwave and, for instance, an electric hob. The average number of groups in a normal household is around 7 to 9. Always have your meter box replaced by a specialist. This is not only much faster and safer, but also reduces the risk of power cuts considerably.
Best price:
You want to replace your meter box, but you don’t want to spend too much money on it. In that case, opt for a small number of groups. Try to add up the consumption of household appliances as much as possible and take 1 group per 3 kW. The maximum power that can be connected to 1 group in the fuse box is 3.6 kW. The fewer groups you take for your household, the cheaper it will be to have a meter box replaced. Having 4 groups installed in your new meter box costs an average of £365 to £555.
All in one go:
Having additional groups installed afterwards is pricey. Having a specialist do everything in one go is comparatively much cheaper. So consider the future when calculating the right number of groups. The price for 8 groups in your fuse box is on average £ 565 – £ 710.
Lots of power consumption:
Are you a techie at heart and is your home full of large appliances, such as a luxury smart TV, an expensive PC, humidifiers and air conditioners? Of course, you don’t want to constantly dive into the fuse box to flip another RCD. In that case, opt for a large number of groups to avoid complications. A distribution box with 12 groups costs an average of £ 745 – £ 875. In this way, you will enjoy constant power and be able to switch on several large consumers at the same time.
How exactly is this price composed?
The price for replacing your meter box is composed of several components. The total cost includes the following components: labour costs and material costs. Removal and call-out charges are often included in an electrician’s labour costs.
What does this price depend on?
Choice 1: Hourly rate electrician
The cost of having a specialist install a new meter cupboard varies. Some electricians charge an hourly rate while others charge a total price for a complete new distribution board including installation. It does not mean that a lower hourly rate charged by the electrician will mean you will not have to dig deep into your pockets at the end. In fact, it may be that this specialist works less efficiently than a more expensive one, so it may even save you money to opt for a specialist with a slightly higher hourly rate. In the end, always opt for the best value for money.
Choice 2: Brand group box
The price of a new meter box depends on the brand of fuse box the specialist uses. The reputable specialist will always use an A-brand, but always pay close attention to this. There are several B-brand fuse boxes on the market that do not comply with European directives. B-brand fuse boxes can be up to £200 cheaper than A-brand fuse boxes. Examples of well-known A-brands are: Holec, ABB, Merlin, Gerin and Attema.
Choice 3: Additional options
When installing a new meter box, you have the option of having additional options installed. Some examples of these extra options are shown below:
| Extra option | Average price (incl. materials, mounting and VAT) | Extras |
|---|---|---|
| Add a cooking group | £55 | Important if you are going to cook electrically. |
| Add a doorbell transformer | £35 | Doorbells usually operate at low voltage. A transformer is then necessary. |
| Add circuit breaker | £ 85 | Ensures that only the group affected by a short circuit is switched off, leaving the rest of the groups functioning. |
Find the best specialist for your project and get free quotes.
Start
