A Level 2 electrician (also called an ASP – Accredited Service Provider) is licensed to do work on the "network side" of your property — things standard electricians can't touch, like your service line, private power pole, overhead mains, and the connection point to the network. Standard electricians are licensed for work inside your switchboard and property wiring; Level 2 covers everything from the switchboard out to the street.

If the job involves your meter box connection, private pole, overhead or underground mains, or anything connecting your property to the network, you need a Level 2/ASP. If it's internal wiring, power points, lighting, or a switchboard upgrade that doesn't touch the network connection, a standard licensed electrician can usually do it — though many Level 2s (like us) do both, so you're not stuck coordinating two trades.

It depends on your existing setup and what needs replacing — old ceramic fuse boards, number of circuits, and whether safety switches need adding all affect price. Older homes with asbestos backing boards typically cost more due to safe removal requirements. We provide fixed quotes after an on-site assessment so you know the exact cost before work starts.

Old ceramic fuse switchboards don't have safety switches (RCDs), which are what protect you from electric shock and prevent electrical fires. If your board still uses ceramic fuses instead of circuit breakers, it doesn't meet current safety standards and is a common cause of house fires and insurance claim rejections.

Old ceramic fuse switchboards don't have safety switches (RCDs), which are what protect you from electric shock and prevent electrical fires. If your board still uses ceramic fuses instead of circuit breakers, it doesn't meet current safety standards and is a common cause of house fires and insurance claim rejections.

Homes built or renovated before the early 1990s often have switchboards mounted on asbestos backing sheets. You can't always tell by looking — it needs a proper inspection. If asbestos is present, it needs to be handled safely during removal, which is different from a standard switchboard swap.

If your property's electricity connection runs a long distance from the street, or your setup was built a certain way, you may have a private pole on your property that carries the network's supply to your house. Unlike the street pole, this pole is your responsibility to maintain and replace when it's damaged or fails inspection.

Signs include visible rot or damage (especially at ground level on timber poles), leaning, cracking, or if it's flagged during a network inspection or property sale. Many are also aging out — poles installed decades ago are reaching end of life and networks are increasingly requiring upgrades to steel.

Overhead mains are the cables that run from the street or pole to your house. They need replacing if they're damaged, sagging, deteriorated, or if you're upgrading your supply capacity (for example, adding solar, a pool, or an EV charger that needs more capacity than your current mains can handle).

Yes, this is a common upgrade for people wanting to improve appearance, reduce storm damage risk, or clear space for renovations/tree removal. It's more involved than a like-for-like replacement, so cost and timeframes vary based on trenching distance and access.

Yes — private pole, mains, and connection work generally requires notifying or getting approval from the local network provider (e.g. Endeavour Energy), and sometimes council depending on the work. As your Level 2 ASP, we manage this process for you.

This is treated as an emergency — a damaged pole or downed line is a serious safety risk. Stay well clear of any fallen lines or damaged poles and call us immediately; we offer emergency callouts for exactly this situation.

Yes, all switchboard, pole, and mains work is certified in line with regulatory requirements once completed, so you have documentation for insurance, sale, or future reference.

A switchboard upgrade replaces your home's old fuse box or outdated switchboard with a modern board fitted with circuit breakers and safety switches (RCDs). It's the central point that distributes power throughout your house and protects your circuits from overload, faults, and shock.

Common signs include: ceramic fuses instead of circuit breakers, no safety switches, fuses that blow frequently, a fuse box that looks old, cracked, or scorched, buzzing or crackling sounds, warm switches, or your insurer/electrician flagging it during an inspection. If your home hasn't had the switchboard touched in 20+ years, it's worth an assessment.

No. A circuit breaker protects the wiring and prevents overload/short circuit damage. A safety switch (RCD) protects people — it cuts power in a fraction of a second if it detects current leaking somewhere it shouldn't, like through a person. A modern switchboard has both; older boards typically only have one or neither.

There's no blanket law forcing every home to upgrade immediately, but safety switches are mandatory for new work, renovations, and rental properties in most cases, and many insurers now require them for coverage. If you're renovating, adding solar, or renting out the property, an upgrade is often triggered as a requirement.

Most straightforward upgrades are completed in a single day, with power off for only part of that time. More complex jobs (multiple circuits, asbestos removal, older wiring needing attention) may take longer — we'll confirm the timeframe when we quote.

Yes, briefly — power needs to be switched off to safely remove the old board and connect the new one. We'll organise timing with you and keep the outage window as short as possible.

Often, yes — many older boards don't have the capacity or right setup for these additions. An upgrade is frequently the first step before adding solar, EV chargers, air conditioning, or other higher-load additions, so it's worth doing the assessment even if the switchboard "still works" today.