THE ESTIMATING ANSWER
Estimate consumer unit replacement by measuring the defined one existing consumer unit, separating product allowances from labour and setting out the work sequence and exclusions. This fictional Leeds example uses 7 itemised lines totalling £3,920.00; its exact quantities and rates appear in the paired app PDF.
The worked job is one existing consumer unit in Leeds. The written scope is: Replace one existing residential consumer unit with a selected capacity and circuit arrangement after qualified review of the service. Its matching itemised example shows how that description becomes quantities, allowances and a PDF. These figures are fictional inputs for learning the method, so check the real site, specification and supplier or subcontractor costs before quoting.
1. Define the measured job
Replace one existing residential consumer unit with a selected capacity and circuit arrangement after qualified review of the service. Count existing and planned circuits, record service details, working clearance and labelling requirements. Record the measurements and existing condition in the estimate before turning quantities into line items. The scope should make clear why this is a separate project from a broader renovation or maintenance quote.
Measure for this job: Count existing and planned circuits, record service details, working clearance and labelling requirements. Record the measured basis next to the relevant cost lines, since a room count, fitted length and purchased product quantity may each use a different unit.
2. Build a product and labour schedule
Identify panel, protective devices and any service-interface allowance separately. This example has 7 distinct lines, including circuit survey and schedule, isolation and site protection, consumer unit product allowance. Use actual supplier prices and labour inputs for a customer job; the displayed amounts are fictional document inputs.
Choose before pricing: Identify panel, protective devices and any service-interface allowance separately. Keep a named allowance when the selection is open, and replace it once the actual product and delivery terms are known.
3. Sequence the work and handoffs
Plan safe isolation, circuit transfer, testing and temporary power needs. Show which task depends on access, a selected product or another trade. If that dependency is still open, label the price preliminary and identify the information needed before a firm quote.
Plan the handoffs: Plan safe isolation, circuit transfer, testing and temporary power needs. State which stage needs access or inspection before the next can begin, especially if a concealed condition might stop the work.
4. Set a change boundary
Unexpected wiring defects or required utility changes extend the scope. The example excludes whole-house rewiring, utility service increase or concealed circuit repair. Record the discovery, agree the revised work and update the estimate before adding it to the job.
Change trigger: Unexpected wiring defects or required utility changes extend the scope. If this happens, write down the revised quantity and responsibility before adding an item to the customer estimate.
Worked project calculation
The paired PDF has 7 cost lines. For example, Circuit transfer labour is 18 circuits × £84.00 = £1,512.00; Isolation and site protection is 1 lump sum × £208.00 = £208.00. Each amount is the stated quantity multiplied by its unit rate. Recheck whether a line describes installed work, a material purchase allowance or a distinct visit before changing its quantity.
| Work item | Quantity | Unit rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circuit survey and schedule | 1 lump sum | £256.00 | £256.00 |
| Isolation and site protection | 1 lump sum | £208.00 | £208.00 |
| Consumer unit product allowance | 1 each | £880.00 | £880.00 |
| Protective devices allowance | 1 set | £544.00 | £544.00 |
| Circuit transfer labour | 18 circuits | £84.00 | £1,512.00 |
| Testing and labelling | 1 lump sum | £416.00 | £416.00 |
| Old consumer unit disposal | 1 lump sum | £104.00 | £104.00 |
| Illustrative total | £3,920.00 | ||
Adding the 7 exact line amounts gives £3,920.00. The PDF uses a 0% tax input and no markup solely to display this arithmetic. Decide the appropriate tax, overhead and profit treatment for an actual job; the fictional rates are not local averages or price recommendations.
Scope and price boundaries
Replace one existing residential consumer unit with a selected capacity and circuit arrangement after qualified review of the service.
Outside this example: No whole-house rewiring, utility service increase or concealed circuit repair.
The role in this brief is electrical contractor. Confirm who supplies the selected products, makes the site safe, removes waste and signs off the work. Where opening up reveals a different condition, document it and issue a revised scope and price rather than silently extending the base estimate. Also check access, drying or curing time, and the client handoff described in the work sequence.
Before you send
- Count existing and planned circuits, record service details, working clearance and labelling requirements.
- Identify panel, protective devices and any service-interface allowance separately.
- Plan safe isolation, circuit transfer, testing and temporary power needs.
- Unexpected wiring defects or required utility changes extend the scope.
Compare the written scope with every line in the consumer unit replacement PDF example. The preview below is the first page of the actual app export; open the PDF to inspect its full scope, notes and amounts.
Questions about this job
Which quantity controls this consumer unit replacement estimate?
Count existing and planned circuits, record service details, working clearance and labelling requirements.
When should this consumer unit replacement quote be revised?
Unexpected wiring defects or required utility changes extend the scope. No whole-house rewiring, utility service increase or concealed circuit repair.
FROM SITE NOTES TO AN ITEMISED PDF
Build your own consumer unit replacement estimate
Enter the project boundary and your measured lines in Estimates on iPhone or Android. Edit the fictional quantities and rates, add the actual business and client details, then inspect the PDF before sharing it.
