Hello everyone,
I'm looking for a company that does Smoke Alarm and Electrical compliance test for my rental property and I was recommended by a real estate agent to use this company and subscribe to their package: https://www.detectorinspector.com.au/safer-home-package
The review looks really bad and I was wondering if anyone here knows a company that can offer a better deal than them. The property is in VIC.
Cheers
Squall3031
This comprehensive service requires smoke, button and decibel tests on each alarm, checking and replacing batteries as required, verifying alarm location and checking whether alarms need to be replaced.
It is like bringing a gun to a knife fight!
Here are the 2 summaries of charges from Smarthouse and Taskforce who both operate in Victoria. I have calculated the GST for each service. Prices for both are listed for multiple gas appliances (heater, stove HWS etc).
Smarthouse:
Electrical Gas and Smoke Alarm $778.80 inc GST (every 2 years)
Electrical Gas no Smoke $679.80 inc GST
Electrical and Smoke Alarm $394.90 inc GST
Gas and Smoke Alarm $482.90 inc GST
Electrical no Smoke $295.90 inc GST
Gas no Smoke $383.90 inc GST
Smoke Alarm $99 inc GST (every year)
Taskforce:
Electrical Gas and Smoke Alarm $548.90 inc GST (every 2 years)
Electrical Gas no Smoke $456.50 inc GST
Electrical and Smoke Alarm $438.90 inc GST
Gas and Smoke Alarm $438.90 inc GST
Electrical no Smoke $346.50 inc GST
Gas no Smoke $346.50 inc GST
Smoke Alarm $93.50 inc GST (every year)
$100 to test a $50 smoke alarm…
Hmmm.
Exactly. Doesn't make sense. In fact, i got charged $99 annually in the past for testing the smoke alarm.
It looks like detectorinspector is slightly cheaper. Oh well, might as well go with them then just for the compliance sake.
detectorinspector charges per year plus $299 on top for the first year.
The prices mentioned above are for every 2 years (which is what the legislation requires). I have no idea how detectorinspector can get away with charging yearly for work done only every 2 years.
Yes. That is one thing that i need to consider. The smoke alarm test needs to be done at least once every 12 months.
https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing/renting/repairs-alte…
"The rental provider must ensure smoke alarms:
are correctly installed and in working order
are tested according to the manufacturer’s instructions at least once every 12 months
have their batteries replaced as required
are repaired or replaced as an urgent repair."
And as for what you said, this is what detectorinspection said:
"Why is there an annual recurring service fee every year if gas and electrical checks are required every 2 years?
Smoke alarms must be checked every year and electrical and gas safety checks must be performed at least every 2 years. There are a number of reasons supporting the approach we’ve taken.
First, it means you have smooth, predictable, equal payments from years 2 onwards.
Second, it allows us to extend a 10% discount on the price of the individual services.
Third, we can extend a range of benefits connected to, but different from the services. These include free callouts for issues with checked items. For example, did you know that to get someone out to urgently relight a pilot light at your property could cost you well in excess of $100 for the plumbers time? With the Safer Home plan, this would be done at no charge to you. It also includes free parts for some standard items when they fail. For example, did you know that replacing a thermocouple in your gas heater could set you back over $150 including time and parts? With the Safer Home plan, this would be replaced and the issue rectified at no charge to you.
These are just some of the benefits that we are able to extend under the Safer Home subscription plans."
I just feel that I don't need all that.
@squall3031: A lot of bullsh*t in that FAQ response - but entirely upto you if you want to take it up.
I feel even with the $100 - $150 call out fee for the examples they have said; spending that when required; you'll still come out cheaper than paying the extra every year.
You can easily get an alarm check does annually for $85 as a separate contract from elsewhere.
We use 1300 Smoke Alarms which seems to have a bit better reviews