What kind of happenings do you think happen behind that dusty old switchboard in your garage? Is your home’s electrical consumption keeping up with the demands of newer appliances and gadgets, or is it straining under the pressure? And, most importantly, do you know when it’s too serious to call in the normal sparkie?
Your switchboard is the heart of an electrical system in your home. It controls everything from lights to powering points and air conditioning to hot water systems. Most homeowners do not think about it until something bad happens to it. In actuality, a switchboard that is faulty or out-of-date can cause serious risks such as electrical fires and shock hazards. That is where a Level 2 electrician comes into the picture.
What Is A Level 2 Electrician And Why Would It Be Necessary To Engage One In Kensington?
Difference Between Level 1 and Level 2 Electricians
Not all electrical defect repairs are the same. Quite crucial for one to differentiate between a Level 1 and a Level 2 electrician to get the right work done. The work of a Level 1 electrician is typically the domestic type: you know, installing power points, wiring new rooms, or fixing faulty circuits. That is your “go-to” person for anything “everyday” electrical inside your property.
Level 2 electricians technically have special authorizations to work on the network running from the home to electricity distribution in the grid. This is the entire foundation of connecting and disconnecting power supplies, upgrading switchboards, and setting new electrical meter boxes; they are the only legally authorized personnel who can touch those service lines all the way into the property.
When Is Your House Suitable for a Level 2 Electrician?
There are a lot of jobs that require a Level 2 electrician: a new switchboard, upgrades from ceramic fuses to modern safety switches, linking the new property into the grid or boosting electrical capacity due to renovations. When replacing an old switchboard or if the meter box has problems, then it’s time for a Level 2 specialist.
Cost of Upgrading Electricals in a House?
House-by-House Average Cost of Upgrading Electrical Systems in Australia
The average expenditure will depend very much on what you actually want to upgrade. A basic switchboard upgrade broad estimates around $800 to $2,500. Plenty of rewiring and such a comprehensive upgrade can take costs over $5,000. Such cases are logical considering the scope of work involved and the items needed.
Switchboard Upgrade Cost NSW: The Expectations
Basically, switchboard upgrading costs in NSW, like in most states in the national range, fall within the average. However, a little more because Sydney and its surrounding areas like Kensington experience much-increased labor costs and higher compliance requirements. Within this region, you should consider around $1,200 to $3,000 for a standard domestic switchboard upgrading project.
Electrical Upgrade Cost Influencing Factors
Several elements affect your final bill. Importantly, one key consideration is the age and condition of existing wiring because most homes built decades ago will generally require more work. Other elements used in determining the total price are the number of circuits which need installation, accessibility of your switchboard location and whether asbestos is present. And of course the choice of components also affects the overall switchboard price.
Complete Switchboard Upgrades: An All-Inclusive Breakdown
Home Switchboard Prices: Average Ranges for Normal Switch Boards
When budgeting for home switchboard prices, components themselves generally read between $300 and $800. Labour makes up the remaining portion of your quote. A normal switchboard price for a complete installation, including safety switches and circuit breakers, ranges from $1,000 to $2,500 for most Kensington homes.
Domestic Switchboard Upgrades vs. Commercial Installations
Domestic switchboard upgrades are generally not as complex as the commercial installs. Domestic properties require fewer circuits and generally less complex install. Commercial installations, on the other hand, usually require high three-phase power system requirements given their high capacity and very much more complex safety compliance, contributing to exorbitantly increased costs.
Electrical Switchboard Upgrade Cost: Sydney Against Other Regions
The electrical switchboard upgrade cost in Sydney is often at least 10 and up to 20 percent higher than that in most of the regional areas. This slightly higher cost is attributed to other operating costs for electricians on Sydney turf and demand for such services. Compared to other areas, Brisbane sometimes has the switchboard upgrade cheaper but should not compromise quality regardless of the location.
