EICR "Unsatisfactory" - Need second opinion

Maintenance

I have just had an Electrical Installation Condition Report come back as "Unsatisfactory" on what appear to be dubious grounds. If anyone reading is an electrician or is conversant with electrical regulations, could you please read on and comment?

These were the results, along with prices to remedy each item:

Please note that C1, C2 and F1 coded items need to be rectified in order to attain a Satisfactory Certificate. C3 coded items are recommendations only.

1. C2 - Not metal board (not fire rated) / No RCD protection - £690.00
2. C3 - 2x bathroom downlights do not work - £42.00
3. C3 - Bathroom 2 gang switch, switches are coming loose - £18.00
4. C3 - 2x hallway downlighting do not work (75mm cut out) - £78.00
5. C3 - Cables next to water heater hanging ( not clipped) next to pipes - £35.00
6. C2 - Storage heater in front room fuse spur faulty - £35.00
Sub-Total of ALL EICR Remedial Works: £898.00

I can easily remedy items 2-6 myself as a competent DIY person. However I'm perplexed about item 1 above:

Do consumer units need to be metal to get a satisfactory EICR? Surely at the time it was installed, it was acceptable and the latest (18th edition) of the Wiring Regulations states: “existing installations that have been installed in accordance with earlier editions of the regulations may not comply with this edition in every respect. This does not necessarily mean that they are unsafe for continued use or require upgrading”.

Item 1 above bundles two things into one. A plastic consumer unit and no RCD. There are spare blanked-off positions on the consumer unit, so a modular RCD could easily be fitted. Even if the consumer unit does need replacing, with similar-sized fully equipped consumer units available from various suppliers for around £70, the quoted price of £690 to replace it seems a bit steep. I'm sure my solicitor charges a lower hourly rate! :)

I would be grateful for any advice as I feel the new EICR regulations seem like a charter for electricians to take people for a ride....

Thanks

Jean-Paul Raven
SE London