Electrician FAQ — Melbourne Eastern Suburbs
Yes. S+ Electrical Services holds Registered Electrical Contractor licence REC 34641 and TITAB Registered Cabler licence REG T58171. All work is fully insured and complies with Australian Standards and Victorian regulations. ABN 20 601 445 267.
We're based in Ringwood East and service all of Melbourne's eastern suburbs including Ringwood, Croydon, Mitcham, Blackburn, Box Hill, Doncaster, Bayswater, Ferntree Gully, Boronia, Wantirna, Glen Waverley, and Lilydale. Don't see your suburb? Call us — we cover a wide area.
Yes. We provide free, no-obligation quotes for all residential and commercial electrical work. For larger jobs like switchboard upgrades, we offer a free on-site assessment so we can give you an accurate price with no surprises.
Yes. We offer 24/7 emergency electrical services across Melbourne's eastern suburbs. For power outages, tripped boards, or electrical faults that can't wait, call 0401 749 095 and we'll get to you as quickly as possible.
For standard bookings we typically offer same-week or next-day availability. For emergencies, we aim to be on-site within 1–2 hours. Being based in Ringwood East means fast response times for the whole eastern suburbs area.
You likely need an upgrade if your home has ceramic or porcelain fuses, no RCD safety switches, frequently tripping breakers, or if you're planning to add solar panels, an EV charger, or undertake a significant renovation. Learn more about switchboard upgrades →
Most standard residential switchboard upgrades fall in the range of $1,500–$3,500. The final cost depends on board size, number of circuits, and whether any additional work (such as sub-main upgrades) is required. We provide a free on-site quote before any work begins — no surprises.
Most residential upgrades are completed in a single day. More complex jobs involving sub-mains or meter upgrades may require coordination with your network provider (AusNet) and can take longer. We'll give you a clear timeframe when we quote.
Yes — there will be a planned power outage during the installation, typically 2–4 hours. We'll give you advance notice so you can plan around it.
Yes. All switchboard upgrade work carried out by S+ Electrical Services is inspected by a Licensed Electrical Inspector (LEI) and a Certificate of Electrical Safety (CES) is issued on completion, as required under Victorian regulations.
It depends on your board's current capacity and condition. We assess this as part of the free quote process. Many older boards need upgrading before solar inverters or EV chargers can be safely and compliantly connected.
We install Level 2 home EV chargers with a focus on Evnex and Tesla Wall Connector — two of the best home chargers available. We also install chargers for BYD, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes, BMW, and all other major brands. We can supply and install, or install a charger you've purchased yourself. Learn more about EV charger installation →
Not always. It depends on your board's capacity and condition. Older ceramic fuse boards will need upgrading first. Modern boards may already have sufficient capacity for a dedicated EV charger circuit. We assess this as part of the free quote.
EV charger installation typically costs $800–$1,800 depending on cable run length, switchboard capacity, and the charger model. If a switchboard upgrade is also required, this is quoted separately. We provide a free, itemised quote before any work begins.
Most home EV charger installations are completed within half a day. If a switchboard upgrade is required at the same time, allow a full day.
Yes, but you'll need the landlord's permission. The charger becomes a fixture of the property unless specifically agreed otherwise. We can advise on the best approach and provide documentation for both tenant and landlord.
Victorian regulations require interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms in all residential properties. Rental properties must comply with updated requirements including working alarms less than 10 years old, tested before each tenancy, and correctly positioned in bedrooms and hallways. Learn more about smoke alarm compliance →
Yes. Under Victorian law, landlords are responsible for ensuring rental properties have compliant smoke alarms installed, tested, and maintained. Tenants must not remove or tamper with them. We provide a compliance service for landlords and property managers across the eastern suburbs.
Smoke alarms have a maximum lifespan of 10 years and must be replaced before that date (the manufacture date is printed on the alarm). Batteries in non-hardwired alarms should be tested regularly and replaced annually or as needed.
Smoke alarm compliance for a standard 3-bedroom home typically costs $200–$500 depending on the number of alarms required and whether interconnection is needed. We provide a free quote and issue a compliance certificate on completion.
Non-compliant landlords can face significant fines under Victorian residential tenancy legislation. More importantly, non-compliant smoke alarms put tenants at risk and can void your home insurance in the event of a fire. Compliance is straightforward — call us and we'll take care of it.
For fault finding and call-out style work, a call-out fee applies — this covers travel and the first period of diagnostic time on site. For quoted jobs (switchboard upgrades, EV chargers, lighting installations etc.) there is no call-out fee. After-hours emergency callouts attract an emergency rate. We'll always be upfront about costs before we start.
We generally quote by the job so you know exactly what you're paying before we start — no surprise bills. For small or undefined jobs, an hourly rate may apply. Either way, we'll always be clear about pricing upfront.
Yes. For all significant jobs we provide a written quote before work commences. This protects both you and us — you know exactly what's included and what it costs.
Call 0401 749 095 or fill in the form below. For jobs like switchboard upgrades we'll arrange a free on-site assessment. For smaller jobs we can often give an indicative price over the phone.
Can't find the answer you're looking for? Give us a call — Jeremy is happy to answer any questions about your electrical needs, no obligation.
REC 34641 | REG T58171 | ABN 20 601 445 267 | Fully insured
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