Quote for Replacement of a Home Switchboard. Is This a Fair Price, or Am I Getting Ripped off?

LHopscotchy on 07/02/2022 - 03:17
Last edited 07/02/2022 - 03:45

Hey everyone. Been around for a little while now but this is my first new topic post. Since I joined I've noticed all the random topics here, and thought I'd take the opportunity to ask the brains trust!

So I have a small investment property in Melbourne and thanks to the legislation changes a little while back, have had to conduct a check for electrical safety. I've subsequently been informed that I require a new switchboard. Hoping you can tell me if this price is fair and reasonable - just don't wanna be ripped off (I'm sure my fellow OzBargain members can relate!)

Here is the quote:
Replacement of main switchboard including upgrading all sub circuits to RCD/MCB as required
Supply and Install fire rating to all switchboard penetration's
B-1 / B-2 / B-3 / B-4
Cost: $1,350.00

Does this seem reasonable? Thanks!

https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/337240/94035/switchboa…

Edit - Question 2.
Can anyone tell me what light switch 'exposed pips' are? Google comes up with nothing! It has been suggested that all light switches have 'exposed pips' and need replacement.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Hybroid on 07/02/2022 - 03:19
    +5

    Get at least 2 more quotes and that'll answer it.

    • Hopscotchy on 07/02/2022 - 03:22
      -6

      True! Thought I'd see if the brains trust will help me to avoid the hassle, should it not be necessary.

      • life is suffering on 07/02/2022 - 09:23
        +2

        Bro its your house and you need to do the legwork. Unless you are inviting the brain trust for a BBQ

  • MS Paint on 07/02/2022 - 07:33
    -1

    Surely a PPI advised the the circuit board was beyond its economical and safe life and was due for an immediate upgrade?

    • Hopscotchy on 07/02/2022 - 10:36

      Not sure what PPI is, but I understand it is deemed unsafe.

      • MS Paint on 07/02/2022 - 10:40

        Pre Purchase Inspection

    • Keplaffintech on 07/02/2022 - 13:28

      how is this relevant to the question?

      • MS Paint on 07/02/2022 - 13:36

        A good PPI will highlight unsafe items in the house and generally give an estimate for rectification.

        • Keplaffintech on 07/02/2022 - 14:48
          +1

          OP has already had an inspection done as part of the legislation requirements so knows about the work that needs to be done. A PPI is not going to give an accurate quote for electrical work, so it wouldn't have helped here.

  • Hithere on 07/02/2022 - 07:37
    +2

    It seems a bit on the high side, however, it will depend on how much work needs doing including the extent of any rewiring or repairing existing circuits.

    As Hybroid said get at least 2 more quotes and ask for more details of what's included in the quote.

    • Hopscotchy on 07/02/2022 - 10:35

      There is no indication in the quote that any rewiring is required. Thanks, suggestion to get more quotes noted.

  • AndyC1 on 07/02/2022 - 07:44

    Seems a bit high. Get some more quotes and see what the average is. Does the quote include anything else like replacing cabling or just replace the switchboard?

    You can get replacement circuit breakers with RCD/MCB at Bunnings where you can replace them yourself. If the issue is RCD/MCB then it will be cheaper to DIY.

    • MS Paint on 07/02/2022 - 09:27

      Will that bring it up to code?

      Sure, it will be cheaper to diy but if the bases are ceramic I believe they need to be replaced also.

    • abb on 07/02/2022 - 09:30
      +1

      You can get replacement circuit breakers with RCD/MCB at Bunnings where you can replace them yourself. If the issue is RCD/MCB then it will be cheaper to DIY.

      No you can't DIY this legally.

      You can probably get away with a drop in circuit breaker to replace a ceramic fuse, but an RCD requires additional wiring.

    • Hopscotchy on 07/02/2022 - 10:32

      There is no indication in the quote that cabling needs to be replaced. There is no RCD in the home and that's marked as an issue.

  • godofpizza on 07/02/2022 - 07:59

    we had ours done for under 1K.
    But if that's your board, the switch themselves could be swapped over for new switches at middys.

  • Overclocked91 on 07/02/2022 - 08:23
    +1

    That is a fully reasonable price for a switchboard upgrade. Pips are the little inserts that cover screw holes. Generally, are required for weatherproof outlets and switches to guarantee their IP rating. From the image, you have no RCDs on anything. You can't just insert these from Bunnings as mentioned above.

    • Hopscotchy on 07/02/2022 - 10:29

      Thank you for the info. Yes, I wont be trying to DYI on this one!

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 07/02/2022 - 09:22
    +2

    A little high but if they’re well reviewed just do it - not worth getting someone who lowballs the quote then does the bare minimum and sloppy work.

  • abb on 07/02/2022 - 09:28
    +1

    Can anyone tell me what light switch 'exposed pips' are? Google comes up with nothing! It has been suggested that all light switches have 'exposed pips' and need replacement.

    It's not a term I've heard before either, but maybe they mean the mounting screws?

    They're meant to be covered by some insulator these days, but maybe some old style light switches have exposed screws? I dunno.

    • MS Paint on 07/02/2022 - 10:05
      +1

      I'm betting they look similar to this

      • Hopscotchy on 07/02/2022 - 10:27

        Spot on abb & MS Paint! That must be it, they do have mounting screws visible.

  • oO0Dam0Oo on 07/02/2022 - 10:34

    What state are you in? UI think I recognise your previous sparkies handwriting :))

  • Oofy Doofy on 07/02/2022 - 11:38
    +1

    Been quoted around $800 on a normal suburban house with a circa 2000 switchboard. It really depends on how much extra work there is to do. That is quite an old switchboard.

    • Hopscotchy on 07/02/2022 - 23:07

      Thanks for sharing your experience :).

  • Hopscotchy on 17/02/2022 - 15:01

    Here is an update in the off chance anyone is interested!

    So the main feedback here was to obtain additional quotes. I was feeling overwhelmed with life stuff when I first posted this.. but gave it a week and then did obtain further quotes as suggested. The cheapest quote was only $150 cheaper, so conclusion made that I wasn't getting ripped off.

    It was also quoted that I replace light switches at a cost of $85 each due to the exposed 'pips' (screws) issue - apparently 'GPO Pips' (covers) are not made for that size of light switch. A smart friend suggested that I fill with silicone, saving myself hundreds :-).

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