As a part of our kitchen renovation we are having four additional double
sockets installed - not because we anticipate increasing the number of
appliances or load in any significant way, just to ensure that there
will always be a spare outlet where it could be needed.

The first electrician to quote has said that we need an additional ring
main because of the new sockets (he did not check to see how many
existing sockets were on the existing ring main) and a new consumer
unit.

As far as I am aware the limit on sockets is based on floor area (100sq
m for the building?) and there is no other limit on the number of
sockets although clearly common sense should prevail.

What concerns me more is the apparent need for a new consumer unit (and
equipotential bonding?) - the existing is an elderly but visually sound
metal 6 way Wylex fitted with mcb's with an added RCD for the ring main.

Grateful for any advice.
--
Robert