Have you been told your fusebox is dangerous?

I have been hearing several reports from my customers in Medway and Maidstone recently that a large ‘well known’ maintenance company are telling them that their fuse-board is dangerous and needs replacing. I have seen cases where a sticker has been placed on the fuse-board saying that it is unsafe to use.

Thankfully, not all my clients went ahead with the work and requested a second opinion. It is just as well as they did, as they didn’t waste money on needless work.

I think we are all familiar with companies such as these whose engineers operate on commission and therefore it is in their own interests to create work for themselves.

An old fusebox does NOT mean it is dangerous

Simply looking at an older fuse-board and declaring it as dangerous is very inaccurate. Just because a fusebox looks old, doesn’t automatically deem it as dangerous! A series of tests by a qualified and registered electrician will establish if the fuse-board is dangerous or not.

My tip is that if you are faced with this kind of scenario in your home is to insist on seeing the results of the testing. I am told by my customers that these engineers are simply looking at the board and are not carrying out any form of work to arrive at the conclusion the fusebox is dangerous.

Check the engineer is qualified

Again, as many of us know, these engineers work on all manner of home repairs. Of course, it is important as with any other trades person who works in your home, to check that they are a qualified electrician.

In the instance above, simply looking at a fuse-board and declaring it unsafe is not the working practice of a qualified electrician, so do be sure to check their qualifications before any work is carried out.

Get a second opinion

Never book the work to be carried out on the day. Companies like the one we’re talking about can often make home owners feel under pressure to book believing that their electrics are so dangerous that the job simply cannot wait.

This is wrong. Even if your fusebox does need replacing, it can wait long enough to get a second opinion, and of course a second quote. In fact, I recommend obtaining 3 quotes before proceeding with any work.

Fuse-board fact

It is a fact that any electrician will advice that old fuse-boards should be upgraded, and it is true that modern replacements – known as consumer units are much safer. However in many cases, an old fuse-board will still be fit for purpose.

When a fuse-board upgrade is a good idea

There will be a time when an upgrade of your fuse-board will be necessary. You may have to upgrade if you are planning the following types of home improvements:

• Re-wiring of your home
• Substantial alternations to electrical circuits
• Your old fuse-board fails testing

Remember that all the above electrical works must be carried out by a qualified and registered electrician.

Do not part with your money un-necessarily

Unfortunately I have visited clients homes when this work has already been carried out, and in many cases they feel they were under pressure to have the work carried out through fear or untrue ‘scare stories’.

Do not be bullied or conned into parting with your money un-necessarily.