Planning a Kitchen Extension, Loft Conversion, or Garden Room in Birmingham? Before you think tiles, taps, or bifold doors — you need to think electrics. One of the most overlooked — but critical — pieces of any home upgrade is the consumer unit (also known as a fuse board).
What Size Consumer Unit Do I Need?
At Pailey Electrical, we work with Birmingham homeowners every week who are upgrading their homes. Whether it’s a stylish new kitchen, a self-contained loft suite, or a fully kitted-out garden office, there’s one question that always comes up:
“Do I need a new consumer unit for this project?”
Here’s what you need to know.
What Is a Consumer Unit, and Why Does It Matter?
Your consumer unit is the heart of your home’s electrical system. It controls and protects every circuit — lighting, sockets, cooker, shower, boiler, EV chargers, and more. When you add new circuits (which you almost always will during a renovation), your fuse board needs to:
- Handle the extra load
- Comply with current regulations (18th Edition BS 7671)
- Offer the right protection: RCDs, RCBOs, surge protection, etc.
If your current board is too old, too small, or doesn’t meet current safety standards, it will need replacing.
Common Signs You’ll Need a New Consumer Unit
If you're planning a home upgrade and your board shows any of the following, it's likely time for an upgrade:
- Old-style fuse wire or push-button MCBs
- No RCD protection for sockets or lighting
- Already full — no room to add new circuits
- Board is over 15–20 years old
- No surge protection or main switch isolator
- Planning to install EV charger, solar panels, or electric underfloor heating
Example: Kitchen Extension in Harborne
A family recently upgraded their kitchen and utility room, adding:
- Induction hob
- Under-cabinet lighting
- New ring main for appliances
- Electric underfloor heating
- Outdoor garden lighting
Their old fuse board had no RCDs and only six circuits — not enough. We installed a brand-new 18th edition consumer unit with 12 ways, surge protection, and RCBOs — future-proofed for an EV charger too. They’re now safer, compliant, and won’t need another upgrade for years.
What Size Consumer Unit Do You Really Need?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here’s a general guide:
| Property Size / Project | Recommended Unit Size |
| 1–2 Bed Flat (no extension) | 6–8 ways |
| 3-Bed Semi with kitchen upgrade | 10–12 ways |
| Loft or garden room addition | 12–14 ways |
| Full renovation / smart home | 14–18 ways |
We always recommend choosing 2–4 extra ways for future needs.
Don’t Forget: Building Regulations (Part P)
Any consumer unit upgrade is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regs. This means it must be:
- Carried out by a NAPIT-registered electrician (like us)
- Certified and reported to your local authority
- Signed off with a Building Compliance Certificate
We handle all this for you — no extra admin, no fuss.
What You Get with Pailey Electrical
NAPIT-registered, fully insured engineers
- Transparent, fixed pricing
- Free site survey and quote
- Tidy, safe installation — usually within 1 day
- All work guaranteed
- 7-day-a-week phone and in-person support
📞 Ready to Power Up Your Home Renovation?
👉 Book your free assessment now at www.pailey.co.uk
Pailey Electrical — helping Birmingham homeowners build smarter, safer homes — one fuse board at a time.
