--- title: "EICR vs Rewire vs Consumer Unit Upgrade | Which Do You Need?" description: "An EICR diagnoses, a consumer unit upgrade fixes protection, a rewire replaces cabling. Which one your property needs — and in what order." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://24-7electrician.co.uk/#organization", "name": "24/7 Electrical Ltd", "url": "https://24-7electrician.co.uk", "logo": "https://24-7electrician.co.uk/favicon.png", "founder": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Steve Green", "jobTitle": "Founder & Lead Engineer", "honorificSuffix": "MIET, EngTech, LCIBSE" }, "contactPoint": [ { "@type": "ContactPoint", "telephone": "+442035766961", "contactType": "customer service", "areaServed": "GB", "availableLanguage": "English", "hoursAvailable": { "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification", "dayOfWeek": [ "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday", "Saturday", "Sunday" ], "opens": "00:00", "closes": "23:59" } }, { "@type": "ContactPoint", "telephone": "+447557781201", "contactType": "emergency", "areaServed": "GB", "availableLanguage": "English" } ], "sameAs": [ "https://www.instagram.com/247electricalkent/", "https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084202661265", "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBm6o6WrQ68wI7KRlXyBzbA", "https://www.tiktok.com/@247electricalltd", "https://www.checkatrade.com/trades/247electrical1090623" ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://24-7electrician.co.uk/#website", "name": "24/7 Electrical Ltd", "url": "https://24-7electrician.co.uk", "publisher": { "@id": "https://24-7electrician.co.uk/#organization" }, "inLanguage": "en-GB" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "@id": "https://24-7electrician.co.uk/blog/eicr-vs-rewire-vs-consumer-unit-upgrade#article", "headline": "EICR vs rewire vs consumer unit upgrade: which do you need?", "description": "Start with an EICR. It is a diagnostic inspection, not a repair, and it tells you which of the other two you need. A consumer unit upgrade fixes protection problems — no RCD, combustible enclosure, inadequate bonding. A rewire replaces the cabling itself and is only necessary when testing shows the conductors have deteriorated.", "datePublished": "2026-08-06", "dateModified": "2026-08-06", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "author": { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://24-7electrician.co.uk/#steve-green", "name": "Steve Green", "jobTitle": "Founder & Lead Electrician, 24/7 Electrical Ltd", "url": "https://24-7electrician.co.uk/about" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "24/7 Electrical Ltd", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://24-7electrician.co.uk/favicon.png" } }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://24-7electrician.co.uk/blog/eicr-vs-rewire-vs-consumer-unit-upgrade" }, "speakable": { "@type": "SpeakableSpecification", "cssSelector": [ "h1", ".speakable-answer" ] } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://24-7electrician.co.uk/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Blog", "item": "https://24-7electrician.co.uk/blog" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "EICR vs rewire vs consumer unit upgrade: which do you need?", "item": "https://24-7electrician.co.uk/blog/eicr-vs-rewire-vs-consumer-unit-upgrade" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Should I get an EICR before deciding on a rewire?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, in almost every case. An EICR is the diagnostic step: it tests insulation resistance, earth continuity and polarity across every circuit and tells you objectively whether the cabling is sound. Deciding on a rewire without one is guesswork." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can a consumer unit upgrade fix an unsatisfactory EICR?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "It can, where the coded observations relate to the protective devices — no RCD protection, a combustible enclosure, no main protective bonding. It cannot fix observations relating to the cabling itself, such as low insulation resistance or damaged conductors." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is a partial rewire a real option?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. Where testing shows, for example, that the lighting circuits have deteriorated but the socket circuits are sound, replacing only the affected circuits is legitimate and properly certified. The certificate records exactly which parts of the installation are new." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which gives the best return if I'm selling?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "A satisfactory EICR is usually the best value. It costs a fraction of the other two and it removes the uncertainty a buyer would otherwise price into their offer. Only carry out remedial or replacement work that the report actually identifies." } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://24-7electrician.co.uk/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Blog", "item": "https://24-7electrician.co.uk/blog" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Eicr Vs Rewire Vs Consumer Unit Upgrade", "item": "https://24-7electrician.co.uk/blog/eicr-vs-rewire-vs-consumer-unit-upgrade" } ] } ] --- 24/7 Emergency Call-Outs • London & South East [info@24-7electrician.co.uk](mailto:info@24-7electrician.co.uk)[Available 24/7 0203 576 6961](tel:02035766961) [![24/7 Electrical Ltd — Emergency Electrician London](/assets/logo-DYN9PriP.png)](/) [Home](/) [About](/about) Residential Commercial Areas [Reviews](/reviews) [Blog](/blog) [Contact](/contact) [Available 24/7 0203 576 6961 ](tel:02035766961)[Book Consultation](/book-a-consultation)[Get a Free Quote](/contact) 1. [Home ](/) 2. [Blog](/blog) 3. Eicr Vs Rewire Vs Consumer Unit Upgrade Comparison # EICR vs rewire vs consumer unit upgrade: which do you need? By [Steve Green](/about) · Updated 6 August 2026 · 7 min read **Start with an EICR — it is the diagnosis, not the cure.** A consumer unit upgrade fixes _protection_ problems: no RCD, a combustible enclosure, inadequate bonding. A rewire replaces the _cabling_ and is only necessary when testing shows the conductors themselves have deteriorated. Doing them in the wrong order is how people end up paying twice. ## The three options at a glance EICR Consumer unit upgrade Full rewire What it is Inspection & test report New protective devices All cabling replaced Fixes anything? No — diagnoses only Protection faults Cable deterioration Time on site 2–4 hours 4–6 hours 5–15 working days Disruption Power off in stages Power off most of a day Significant — chasing, dust Redecoration needed No No Yes Certificate issued Condition Report EIC / Minor Works EIC + Part P notification Typical lifespan gained n/a (5–10 yr validity) 20–25 years 25–30 years ## Choose an EICR if… - You do not know the age or condition of the installation - You are buying, selling or letting — see [EICR when selling](/blog/do-i-need-an-eicr-to-sell-my-house) - A survey has recommended further electrical investigation - You have been quoted for a rewire and want an independent second opinion Book [EICR testing](/services/eicr-testing) first in every one of these cases. It is the cheapest step and it prevents the other two being sold to you unnecessarily. ## Choose a consumer unit upgrade if… - You have rewireable fuses or no RCD protection — see [fuse board vs consumer unit](/blog/fuse-board-vs-consumer-unit) - The EICR codes relate to the board, bonding or enclosure rather than the circuits - Insulation resistance across circuits tests sound - You need capacity for an [EV charger](/services/ev-charger-installation), shower or outbuilding Get the sizing right first time — [what size consumer unit you need](/blog/what-size-consumer-unit-do-i-need). ## Choose a full or partial rewire if… - Insulation resistance is low across multiple circuits - Rubber, lead or fabric-sheathed cabling is present - There is no circuit protective conductor (earth) on lighting circuits - Multiple C1 or C2 codes relate to the wiring itself - You are already stripping the property back for a renovation [The 10 signs](/blog/signs-you-need-to-rewire-your-house) cover the symptoms, and [how long a rewire takes](/blog/how-long-does-a-rewire-take) covers the practicalities. ## The order that saves money 1. **EICR** — establish the facts and get them in writing. 2. **Address C1 items immediately** — these are live dangers, regardless of any wider plan. 3. **Decide between board upgrade and rewire** based on the insulation resistance results, not the age of the house. 4. **If rewiring, do the board as part of it** — never pay for it twice. 5. **Retest and certify**, and keep the paperwork with your property documents. ## A note on quotes Be cautious of any quote for a rewire or a new board issued without testing the existing installation first. A genuine recommendation cites the measured results — insulation resistance in megohms, earth fault loop impedance, RCD trip times. If a quote does not reference test results, ask for them before committing. ## Frequently asked Should I get an EICR before deciding on a rewire? Yes, in almost every case. An EICR is the diagnostic step: it tests insulation resistance, earth continuity and polarity across every circuit and tells you objectively whether the cabling is sound. Deciding on a rewire without one is guesswork. Can a consumer unit upgrade fix an unsatisfactory EICR? It can, where the coded observations relate to the protective devices — no RCD protection, a combustible enclosure, no main protective bonding. It cannot fix observations relating to the cabling itself, such as low insulation resistance or damaged conductors. Is a partial rewire a real option? Yes. Where testing shows, for example, that the lighting circuits have deteriorated but the socket circuits are sound, replacing only the affected circuits is legitimate and properly certified. The certificate records exactly which parts of the installation are new. Which gives the best return if I'm selling? A satisfactory EICR is usually the best value. It costs a fraction of the other two and it removes the uncertainty a buyer would otherwise price into their offer. Only carry out remedial or replacement work that the report actually identifies. Need a straight answer about your own property? Call **0203 576 6961** — answered by a real person, available 24/7 — or [request a free written quote](/contact). ### 24/7 Electrical Ltd NICEIC-approved electricians. Available 24/7 for emergencies and planned work across London & South East. 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