Is This a Fair Electrical Switchboard Upgrade Replacement Quote

AlienC on 11/07/2023 - 18:42
Last edited 12/07/2023 - 14:32 by 1 other user

Old house we are in are looking at getting the switchboard upgraded does this seem like a good fair price for it? The landlord is looking at quotes now and was just curious if this was a good price for one.

It is a fairly old residential probably hasn't been updated in over a decade electrical wise. I just realised now this might be necessary if we ever want to get solar which would be good for overall bill costs.

Disconnect/reconnect Point of attachment (Level 2 work)
Upgrade Meters according to AS3000 Standards (Level 2 Work)
Supply and install a new stainless steel 600x600mm switchboard in the location to comply with AS3000.
Supply and install new 18pole sub-board
Supply and install new safety switch protection to all circuits.
Supply / Wire and Install new consumer mains to the new switchboard.
Supply and install new 80amp service fuse.
Upgrade the main earth to dwelling and install the main earth rod.
$6800.

NOTES: After conducting electrical diagnostics on the existing Switchboard, we have discovered multiple points of
concern that deem this board to be unrepairable. Reported below are the issues of concern that require immediate attention:

  • No safety switches
  • Meters do not comply with AS300 Standards (must be upgraded).
  • The cables behind the board have deteriorated and some cables are burnt.
  • The height of the main switchboard

Initially it feels high but what have you all experienced?

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Benoffie on 11/07/2023 - 18:47
    +7

    If there's no additional wiring or new leadin, this seems excessive.

    • stirlo on 11/07/2023 - 20:27
      +1

      Agreed. My quote to upgrade the board at my property was $1500. That included fixing the earth.

      I'm only getting a 12 slot board but even then this price seems excessive.

    • Switchblade88 on 11/07/2023 - 20:31
      +2

      The quote explicitly states a new lead-in and 80A fuse, including new meters

      • AlienC on 11/07/2023 - 20:49

        Any idea how much extra this would hypothetically add to the final cost.

        • Switchblade88 on 11/07/2023 - 21:04
          +2

          How long is a piece of string cable?

          Any works upstream of the meter requires a L2 certified electrician, probably a cherrypicker to replace the feed from the pole out the front as well as the new meter cost. Tradies won't generally add extra work they don't really want to do (which includes this, since it's fiddly and less profitable) so if it's on the quote it very likely needs doing. That is, it's not an optional extra you can skip.

          The more important thing is getting other quotes with the same tasks to compare to. If the electricals are in as poor of a condition as described, then I'd be quoting high for any inevitable extra problems that will come up like having to replace additional circuits on top of the listed items.

  • MS Paint on 11/07/2023 - 18:54
    +6

    hasn't been updated in over a decade electrical wise

    Are we meant to update every 10 years?

    • AlienC on 11/07/2023 - 20:48
      +2

      I'm not an electrician but if it's like software updates only when stuff starts to cause trouble or widely out of date.

  • capslock janitor on 11/07/2023 - 18:57
    +6

    get 3 quotes and choose middle ?

  • kipps on 11/07/2023 - 18:58
    +2

    Too high IMO. Get other quotes.

  • Euphemistic on 11/07/2023 - 19:01
    +5

    The landlord is looking at quotes now

    Confused. Are you looking at the prices for work in a rental?

  • brendanm on 11/07/2023 - 19:09
    +5

    The landlord is looking at quotes now and was just curious if this was a good price for one

    So your landlord asked you, someone with no idea about electrical switchboards, if it was a good price?

    Or your landlord asked you to ask Australia's premiere switchboard quote forum, ozbargain, for advice?

    • SBOB on 11/07/2023 - 20:07
      +6

      Been a while since I've rented, but at no point did I ever care about the main switchboard while renting, and if it required replacing, I sure wouldnt have cared if the landlord got a bargain or not :)

    • Motek Benzona on 11/07/2023 - 20:17
      -5

      You could just be quiet with all the rubbish and answer the question instead of just spouting unnecessarily nonsensical repetitive nothings

      Does it really matter? Answer it or move on

      • brendanm on 11/07/2023 - 21:20
        +3

        Does it really matter? Answer it or move on

        No thanks. I'd rather point out the ridiculousness of ops questions.

        • Motek Benzona on 12/07/2023 - 06:59
          -4

          The only ridiculousness is you and your post..Well now also your justification as well.

          Is that how exciting your life is that you have to post inane childish questions in reply to an actual valid question?

          pffff

          • brendanm on 12/07/2023 - 08:26
            +1

            @Motek Benzona:

            an actual valid question?

            It's not an actual valid question though.

    • AlienC on 11/07/2023 - 20:47

      I heard about this guy called brendanm who seemed like a pretty nice knowledgeable guy so I thought it was worth an ask.

      • brendanm on 11/07/2023 - 21:21
        +5

        pretty nice knowledgeable guy

        You should report whoever told you that for spreading disinformation.

        • AlienC on 11/07/2023 - 22:25
          +1

          How do I report myself

          • brendanm on 12/07/2023 - 10:24

            @AlienC: Perhaps start a new thread asking how.

  • redfox1200 on 11/07/2023 - 19:35
    +4

    should be about 2-4k really.

    i got mine done for $1800 a few years ago moving the meter outside + another couple of hundred to upgrade the supply from 6mm to 16mm (SA Power Networks), then it was another 1k to upgrade the switchboard inside from old fuses to new RCD's and breakers.

    • SBOB on 11/07/2023 - 20:06
      +1

      should be about 2-4k really.

      yep, before even scrolling 'switchboard replacement' is pretty much in this price range (around 2k for a basic one)

      $6+k is gold plated work where theres either some crazy asbestos risk, incredibly old degraded cables requiring internal wiring changes also… or just having a laugh :)

      Supply / Wire and Install new consumer mains to the new Switchboard

      unless a sizeable portion is this and for some reason an entire new run from road/main supply is being run which does add a fair cost (but no idea why that would be needed for switchboard upgrade unless you're trying to increase capacity)

      • Switchblade88 on 11/07/2023 - 20:37
        +6

        Can't do retrofit work unless it's up to current standards. Since there's burnt cables and the bulk needs to be replaced, then the box, meters and feedin all have to be brought up to current spec too.

        For all we know the feed itself is burnt due to overload, and without any RCDs (so likely all just ceramic fuses) it may have been a fire hazard for years but the fuse wire was gauged wrongly and never popped - thus the mains copped a beating.

        • Mac079 on 12/07/2023 - 01:03
          +3

          This Person is so spot on

          And I am not even an electrician, I have seen it in my 1920's home and had the pleasure of a good honest electrician that explained it all, showed it all and fixed it all.

          People forget Even a house built in 1980 was not built for the electrical demands we place on them today.

          Assuming you either are a sparky, like knives or both Switchblade88 LOL

          • Switchblade88 on 12/07/2023 - 12:28

            @Mac079:

            Assuming you are a sparky

            Close! I spent many a day crawling through roofs with my father who was, so I gleamed much info without having to do an apprenticeship

  • AndyC1 on 11/07/2023 - 19:52

    What did the other two quotes come in at? Should always get multiple quotes.

  • Sammy2000 on 11/07/2023 - 19:52

    Are you a tenant? Are you being asked to pay for it?

    • AlienC on 11/07/2023 - 20:46
      +1

      I'm a tenant I'm not being asked to pay for it but I do try to contribute with little things around the house independently on my own accord.

      But yes the landlords will be mostly responsible for paying for it. Just trying to shop around as savings means money for other things obviously.

      • SBOB on 11/07/2023 - 21:01
        +3

        mostly responsible

        "Mostly" :/

        • AlienC on 12/07/2023 - 01:47

          TBD

          • kiitos on 12/07/2023 - 08:17
            +2

            @AlienC: Tell me you live with your parents without telling me :-)

            • AlienC on 12/07/2023 - 22:53
              +1

              @kiitos: Haha lol honestly it do feel like that most times but I could never.. I would rather join Harambe then that ever again

  • jthomaz5 on 11/07/2023 - 20:30
    +1

    My dad is a sparky, so based on my knowledge of the industry, I would say that price is pretty high. You should ideally get some other quotes as well to see what is reasonable.

  • AlienC on 11/07/2023 - 20:45
    -1

    Update: no other quotes yet but yeah looks like we definitely have to shop this around and get a much better price.. Sad that this mob tried to pull one over us but I'm so cheap that even this wouldn't work on me now just gotta make sure the landlord doesn't fall for it either.. They are family pretty much so whatever I can save for them pretty much gets passed around the family

    Thanks all so far

    • Mac079 on 12/07/2023 - 01:05

      Are you the Tenant, or Owner?

      If you are the owner, and letting a tenant live in that house….. And there is a fire because of that switch board, their deaths are on you for asking unqualified people for a cheaper price. Go and get it fixed.

      • capslock janitor on 12/07/2023 - 01:16
        +1

        appreciate u making an acc just to kick his arse

        • AlienC on 12/07/2023 - 01:49

          No problem.. My fans come from many places

  • outlander on 11/07/2023 - 20:57
    +1

    Is this just a switchboard replacement (which is not all that complex but is time consuming) or a switchboard replacement + rewiring?

    When houses have old fuse based protection, many times people use thicker guage than they should. Then when the circuit gets overloaded, the wiring inside the wall becomes the fuse. Only way to fix it once that's happened is to run new line. And that can be a real bitch of a job

    • Switchblade88 on 11/07/2023 - 21:05
      +1

      Burned cables as described certainly paints that picture accurately

  • Mac079 on 12/07/2023 - 00:55
    +1

    Ok,

    It is like this. "Burnt Cables" I would be forcing your landlord to fix it within 24 hours as an emergency repair and taking my family and pets elsewhere. You have a warning that many that have died in a house fire do not, you think about it as you sleep tonight that cable starts heating up again and burns the house down… The smoke detectors are useless as the fire follows the wiring into the roof above the smoke detectors. Really if it was that bad the electrician should of called the energy provider to cut supply.

    Back to pricing, for years I was threatened, forced and coerced into getting a smart meter and I fought them for 5 years, I bought the house 15 years ago, a 1920's house and it was rewired with breakers etc to current 2008 standard…. Now to fit their new Smart meter they wanted a bigger box. I was quoted $1600 to $2500 dependent on work.

    I stalled until Origin Energy had an excellent interest free solar package and got the whole lot done by my chosen installer locally and not a fly by night mob.

    You should Not be concerned at what it is going to cost your landlord, but you need to be concerned for the safety of yourself, family and pets.

    And Yes, Level 2 is required to disconnect Main supply. Then Level 1 can do Board Work and Level 2 reconnect to save money..

    Either way, Move out until required work has been carried out !!!

  • Chandler on 12/07/2023 - 00:59
    +2

    What did they say when you asked for it to be itemised?

    Looking at it myself:

    Disconnect/reconnect Point of attachment (Level 2 work)

    Yep

    Upgrade Meters according to AS3000 Standards (Level 2 Work)

    Yep

    Supply and install a new stainless steel 600x600mm switchboard in the location to comply with AS3000.

    Why stainless steel for the enclosure? Most outdoor residential switchboards are just powdercoated steel. i.e. can pickup this QLD one for <$200

    Supply and Install new 18pole sub-board

    Why separate sub-board? The above linked enclosure has both the meter panel and DB in the one enclosure. Not up on the NSW regulations, so being separate could be a requirement.

    Supply and install new safety switch protection to all circuits

    Yep.

    Supply / Wire and Install new consumer mains to the new Switchboard

    I assume this is due to the burnt wiring discovered when inspecting the existing board?

    Supply and Install new 80amp service fuse

    Yep

    Upgrade the main earth to dwelling and install the main earth rod

    Why does that need upgrading?

    $6800 AUD

    If they're doing all of the above, this is potentially reasonable. Maybe on the high side, but not ridiculously. I don't work in sales but, so don't quote me :P

    Looking elsewhere - $2k - $4k according to this mob, but again, this is probably for a simple replacement where the existing wiring is not being replaced. Not that that should cost you an extra $3-5k.

  • [Deactivated] on 12/07/2023 - 09:02

    You won't know if it's excessive until you get at least one other quote.

  • saltypete on 12/07/2023 - 09:49

    We had pretty well the same work done on an old 1800s cottage a couple of months ago, but same enclosure retained. $1320 incl gst. Took the sparky about 2 hours, including resolving the inevitable problems when old, unsafe circuits suddenly have safety switches.

  • DavoTheGreat on 12/07/2023 - 10:03

    Level 2 work isn't cheap but I had a private pole installed along with a new switchboard and 3 phase wiring from the street to the board (the house remained on single phase) around 9 months ago for less than $6000.

  • 2esc on 12/07/2023 - 10:33

    Between $1200 and $2000 i would expect it should be

  • 82norm on 12/07/2023 - 11:59

    Expect a rent increase at next renewal to cover this expense off. Not sure why you’re so invested in the landlords issue. Will he reduce your rent for helping him with quotes?

  • bobwokeup on 12/07/2023 - 12:14

    Way too high. Got a quote the other week for under $2k.

  • switchboard on 15/08/2024 - 20:52

    A normal switchboard upgrade would be around 2/3k. This is also for stainless enclosure, running a new consumer mains cable, disconnecting and reconnecting the supply and putting in a new meter. Doesn't seem to bad.

    Also if there are burnt cables in there it is a fire risk and needs to be sorted out ASAP.

    https://www.cleantechcontrols.com.au/

    • AlienC on 16/08/2024 - 14:08

      I didn't get to see the final invoice/bill but my gut tells me they went with the $6k guys

      Ah well my "landlord" is not the best price watcher out there and at the time I did not want to intervene as I had no electrical expertise on the subject and was fairly busy and bogged down with work and other things which is why I did not reply as well to the above comments.

      But yes I believe wiring was replaced, earth was installed (we did not have one prior I think), new switchboard and everything you can see in the description box above.

      Ah well I guess I just chalk this up to a loss in potential savings but I can understand they had to pick one fast and like I said the mob I rent from whom are really just friends of the family aka grandparents are not the best when it comes to finances sometimes.. offtopic but for example I feel we could switch electric and gas providers and save a bit of money but they would never do that unless I asked them and honestly don't want to at the moment.

      Anyways happy ozbargaining. Carry on.

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