Power · Residential
Switchboard upgrades in Sydney
Many older Sydney homes still run on ceramic fuses and a board that was never designed for air conditioning, induction cooktops or an EV. We replace it with a modern, safe switchboard, usually in a single day.
- Licensed and insured
- Fixed written quotes
- Compliance certificate supplied
- Written workmanship warranty
Short answer
A switchboard upgrade replaces old fuses or an overloaded board with modern circuit breakers and safety switches (RCDs or RCBOs). In Sydney it typically costs $1,800 to $3,500 for a standard single-phase home and takes four to eight hours. You get a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work when it’s done.
The switchboard is where every circuit in your home starts. If it still has rewireable ceramic fuses, a timber backing board or only one safety switch for the whole house, it no longer meets what most insurers, buyers and the current wiring rules expect.
We assess the board, the main earth and the existing circuits, then quote a fixed price. On the day we isolate the supply, fit the new enclosure and protection devices, label every circuit clearly and test the whole installation before power goes back on.
Signs your switchboard needs replacing
- Ceramic fuses with fuse wire instead of circuit breakers
- Safety switch trips often, or there is no safety switch at all
- Lights flicker or dim when appliances start
- A burning smell, scorch marks or a warm board
- Asbestos-backed or timber mounting panel (common before the late 1980s)
- No space for a new circuit for air conditioning, an induction cooktop or an EV charger
- You’re renovating, adding a granny flat, or selling and the building report flagged it
Old board vs new board
Ceramic fuses only protect the cables. A modern board puts a safety switch on every circuit, so a fault on one circuit is caught in milliseconds and the rest of the house stays on.
What it costs
Every board is different, so these are guides rather than quotes.
| Job | Typical price | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Standard single-phase upgrade with RCBOs | $1,800–$3,500 | Number of circuits, condition of the main earth, board location |
| Upgrade where the board is asbestos-backed | add $400–$900 | Licensed removal and disposal of the old panel |
| Meter box replacement with the switchboard | $3,000–$5,500 | Enclosure size, network requirements, access |
| Three-phase switchboard | $3,500–$7,000+ | Number of circuits, sub-boards, load calculations |
| Adding a dedicated circuit at the same visit | $250–$600 each | Cable run length and wall or ceiling access |
How the job runs
- 01Inspection and fixed quoteWe look at the board, earth, circuits and load, then send a written, fixed price. Photos are often enough for a first estimate.
- 02Booking and supply planWe tell you how long the power will be off, usually four to eight hours, and plan around fridges, medical equipment and work-from-home needs.
- 03InstallationWe fit the new enclosure, main switch, RCBOs and surge protection if chosen, and label every circuit.
- 04Testing and certificateWe test insulation resistance, polarity, earth continuity and every safety switch, then issue your Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work.
Standards and paperwork
All switchboard work is done to AS/NZS 3000 (the Wiring Rules) by licensed electricians. Current rules require safety switch protection on final sub-circuits in new work, and we size the board so you can add circuits later without starting again.
Where a board is mounted on a panel that may contain asbestos, we treat it as asbestos and arrange licensed removal. When the job is finished we lodge a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW) and give you a copy for your records and your insurer.
FAQ
Common questions
Straight answers to what customers ask us most. Can’t see yours? Call us and talk to an electrician, not a call centre.
How long will the power be off?
Usually four to eight hours for a standard home. We agree the timing with you beforehand, and you can keep the fridge cold by leaving it closed.
Do I need a switchboard upgrade to install an EV charger?
Often, yes. An EV charger needs its own circuit, space on the board and the right protection. We check this as part of every EV charger quote so you don’t pay for two visits.
Is surge protection worth adding?
For most homes with expensive electronics, a surge protection device at the board is a small extra cost at upgrade time. We’ll include it as an option on your quote.
Do I need to tell my insurer?
It’s a good idea. Many insurers ask whether an older home has had its switchboard and safety switches updated. Your compliance certificate is the proof.
Can you upgrade a board in a strata unit?
Yes. We check with the strata manager if the work touches common property, such as a meter room, and coordinate access.
Related services
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Free quotes · Sydney wide
Get a fixed quote from a licensed electrician
Tell us what you need and send a photo or two. We reply within one business day with a clear, fixed price, or call us now to talk it through.
Prefer to talk? Call us0435 552 534Office 02 8360 6167 · Mon–Sat 8am–5pm- Licensed and insuredElectricians and registered data cablers
- Fixed written quoteBefore any work starts, no surprises
- Certified and guaranteedCompliance certificate and written warranty
- Clean and tidyWe leave your place as we found it