Consumer Unit Playing Up? We'll Diagnose the Board and Restore Safe Power in Leamington Spa
We inspect the consumer unit, test its protective devices and circuits, and explain whether repair, isolation or replacement is appropriate.
Booking fee plus hourly labour — the price is confirmed before any work starts.
What this costs
| Booked 14+ days ahead | £25 booking fee £85 per hour |
|---|---|
| Booked within 48 hours | £100 booking fee £65 per hour |
| Same-day call-out | £220 booking fee £45 per hour |
The booking fee secures the visit. Labour is then charged by the hour, so you only pay for the time the job actually takes.
Booking fee £25–£220
£25 + £85/hr booked 14+ days ahead, £100 + £65/hr inside 48 hours, £220 + £45/hr same day. Agreed before we arrive.
Covered under Power Outages
Electrical › Power Outages — one of 16 documented jobs in this section.
Same-day consumer unit fault
Urgent jobs can often be booked for today. Ask when you book and we will confirm the slot before you pay anything.
15 service areas
Birmingham, Coventry, Dorridge and 12 more across the West Midlands.
What a consumer unit does
The consumer unit divides the incoming electricity across circuits and contains devices intended to disconnect power when a fault or overload occurs. A problem might involve a main switch, circuit breaker, residual-current device, internal connection or the wiring supplied by the board. Symptoms range from one circuit repeatedly tripping to several circuits losing power, a switch that will not move, or unusual heat or noise. The symptom alone cannot establish whether the board has failed or is responding correctly to a problem elsewhere.
Signs that need prompt attention
A warm or discoloured board, burning smell, crackling, persistent buzzing, or a switch that trips repeatedly should be treated seriously. Keep people away from the unit if it appears damaged. If the main switch is safe to reach, switch it off; do not touch it if there is heat, smoke, moisture or exposed material. Do not remove the cover, tighten terminals or try to reset a device that immediately trips. Book urgently if there are signs of overheating, and call emergency services if there is an active fire.
Inspection and electrical testing
The electrician asks what happened and whether the fault affects one or several circuits, then checks the board and supply for visible damage, heat or poor connections. Relevant circuits and protective devices are tested to distinguish a board fault from a downstream wiring or appliance fault. The electrician may isolate individual circuits to avoid energising a suspected fault. If the incoming supply itself is unstable or absent, the next action may involve the electricity network operator rather than work inside the unit. Findings are explained in plain terms.
Repair, isolate or replace
Some faults can be resolved by replacing a failed protective device or correcting a connection, provided the unit is otherwise suitable and safe. A damaged or outdated board may need replacement, but that decision should follow inspection rather than assumption. If a circuit presents a risk, it can be left isolated while a repair is planned. The electrician explains what can be completed on the visit, what remains unavailable and any options before starting. Power is restored to affected circuits only after the work and relevant checks are complete.
Why the cover must stay closed
The consumer unit contains live parts that can remain dangerous even when a circuit switch is off. Removing the cover exposes connections that are not intended for homeowner access. A reset is appropriate only where there are no warning signs and the reason for the trip is understood; repeated resetting is not a diagnostic method. Keep the area around the board clear for the visit and mention any recent electrical work, leaks or impact to the wall. If the board is making noise or smells hot, keep clear until help arrives.
After a consumer-unit repair
Ask the engineer to identify any replaced device, explain circuits that were isolated and confirm whether further work is recommended. Keep labels accurate and do not store items against the board. If a protective device trips again, leave the affected circuit off and report what was running at the time. If a replacement is advised, ask what circuits and equipment will be without power during the work and how the installation will be checked before it is put back into service.
Book a consumer unit check
Arrange an inspection if the board is tripping, making unusual noises, overheating or failing to supply circuits. Same-day and emergency visits may be available. The booking fee is paid when you book, with labour charged hourly at a rate based on the urgency of the appointment. You receive and approve the full cost of the work before it begins.
How the price works
We charge a booking fee to hold your slot, then an hourly rate for the work itself. The fee changes with how soon you need us; the hourly rate changes with the slot you choose. You approve the price before we start, so there is no surprise on the invoice.
Booked 14+ days ahead
£25 booking fee
then £85 per hour of labour
Best value. Book the slot now, pay the smallest booking fee.
Booked within 48 hours
£100 booking fee
then £65 per hour of labour
For jobs that can wait a day or two but not a fortnight.
Same-day call-out
£220 booking fee
then £45 per hour of labour
Urgent problems: standing water, no heat, no power, leaks.
Book the slot
Choose the window that suits you and pay the booking fee. That holds your place in the diary.
We diagnose on site
The engineer confirms the cause and tells you what the job involves and how long it should take.
You approve, we work
Nothing goes ahead until you agree the price. Labour is then charged per hour at your slot rate.
A faulty consumer unit can leave circuits without power or cause unexplained trips, heat or noise. Because the board distributes and protects electricity throughout the home, it should not be opened or adjusted as a DIY task. We investigate the symptoms, check the installation and explain the safe next step.
What our customers say about our electrical service
4.6 out of 5 from 11 reviews
Does what it says on the tin
No complaints about the work itself — clear explanation, sensible advice, fair price. Booking online was easy enough once I found the right job page.
Job: Smoke Alarm Replacement
Fixed it, but took longer than expected
Work itself was fine and tidy. Communication beforehand was patchy — I did not get the confirmation message and had to ring to check the slot. Would still use again.
Job: Flickering Outdoor Lights
Turned up when they said
Third time we have used Maintenance Men, and the same experience each time: agreed price, proper explanation, job done in one visit. The hourly rate is fair for the standard of work.
Job: Appliance Causing Power Trip
Book Consumer Unit Fault
Tell us what is happening and choose a slot. If you are not sure this is the right job, use the diagnosis panel — it narrows the problem down before you book.
- Booking fee confirmed up front
- Hourly labour, agreed before work starts
- Same-day slots for urgent problems
Questions people ask about consumer unit fault
Straight answers to the things customers ask most often before booking.
Can I open the consumer unit to look for the fault?
No. Live parts may remain exposed even if a circuit switch is off. Keep the cover closed and arrange an electrician to inspect the unit.
What does an engineer check in a consumer unit?
They inspect the board and supply, identify which devices operated, and test the affected circuits. This helps establish whether the fault is in the unit, wiring or connected equipment.
Should I worry about a warm or buzzing unit?
Yes. Heat, burning odour, crackling, persistent buzzing or scorch marks need prompt attention. Keep clear and switch off the main supply only if the unit is safe to approach.
Will the consumer unit always need replacing?
No. A repair may be suitable if the fault is limited and the unit is safe. Replacement is considered only after inspection shows it is needed.')],
How is the visit and repair charged?
You pay a booking fee when you book, and labour is charged hourly at a rate that depends on how quickly you need us. The full cost of the work is quoted before we start, so you approve it before any tools come out.
Need consumer unit fault sorted in Leamington Spa?
Book a slot in the diary and pay only the booking fee up front. We confirm the rest before we start.