When do I need an electrician?

While there are some things you can DIY, electrical work is definitely not one of them. Aside from the fact that attempting electrical work yourself is illegal in Australia, it’s also extremely dangerous.

You’ll also want a Compliance Certificate for any work done which can only be offered by a professional. This certifies that the work complies with prescribed electrical standards. If the electrical worker can’t provide that, then you shouldn’t have them do your work.

If you’re a Suncorp Home Insurance policyholder, you can add optional Suncorp Insurance Home Assist to your policy for an extra premium. This offers 24/7 help in most areas from a trusted network of tradespeople, including electricians, for sudden and unforeseen home emergencies. Be sure to read the PDS for more details.

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Signs to call an electrician

Planning renovations

If you’re planning on expanding your home, or just changing the layout for a fresh new look, you’ll probably need to get in touch with an electrician. They’ll be able to install or upgrade things like light fittings, heating and cooling systems, and new appliances to a professional – and safe – standard.

Your electricity bill keeps going up

This one might be tricky to spot at first, especially as the cost of living keeps climbing, but an unusually high bill could indicate that there’s something wrong with your system.

Check your daily usage data and compare it to previous months if you can. If you spot a noticeable change without a good explanation, like shifting to summer and having to use the aircon more frequently, then you may have an electrical issue.

Your breaker keeps resetting

It isn’t unusual to have to reset your breaker occasionally, but if this is becoming a monthly or weekly occurrence, there may be underlying issues at work. This could be something as simple as a few overloaded outlets in one section of the house, or something more complex.

If turning the breaker back on doesn’t solve it, or if a fuse has blown entirely, then it’s time to consider contacting a professional.

Why can’t I do it myself?

First and foremost, it’s dangerous. If anything goes wrong, it could cause significant damage to life, limb and property – especially if you’re untrained. This can include:

• electrical shocks and electrocutions
• electrical fires, and
• long-term costs and extensive property damage.

Beyond that, any faulty electrical work may not always be because of something you might’ve done. There may be additional underlying issues like overloaded circuits or deteriorated insulation, especially if you’re in an older home. These can only be spotted and fixed by licensed electricians.

Why can’t I do it myself?

All electrical installations must adhere to the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules, also known as the “Australian Standard AS/NZS 3000:2018”. These are what electrical inspectors check against in order to ensure any work done meets the required standards.

Once the work is complete, you’re entitled to receive a Certificate of Compliance. This outlines what work was carried out, and that it meets those standards.

Each state has their own certificate, so a Victorian one will look different to a Queensland one, while serving the same purpose. If you have any questions about inspections or other electrical work, consider contacting the regulator in your state or territory.

What kinds of electricians are there?

Depending on the type of job you need done will mean calling a different kind of electrician. There are dozens of types of electricianswho specialise in different areas. But there are usually three types that may come to your home.

Domestic Electricians

Domestic electricians are the typical sparky you will normally deal with day-to-day. These are the tradies that will install a new light switch, add a power point or maintain existing wiring.

There are domestic electricians that are available 24/7 in the event you have an emergency, such as a blackout, and you need immediate help. These services usually charge a premium, especially after hours.

Construction Electricians

Construction electricians are usually tasked with doing the original wiring of a new house. This will mean setting up the framework and running the cabling throughout the house. They’ll also install the power points and light fittings before you move in.

Green Electricians

Green electricians have completed additional courses on green energy and power usage so they can advise you on how you can cut back on power usage. This may be as simple as changing to LED light globes or more complex solutions such as solar power.

How much will an electrician cost?

Like most tradies, the amount an electrician will charge you will be based on a variety of factors such as their level of experience and your locality. Just remember to ask your electrician how their fee structure works before hiring them for a job, as many have different rates and methods of charging. These may include:

• a flat call-out fee, then also charge for their services by the hour
• charging in 15-minute blocks, or
• charging a flat fee for a job, but that may change if they come to your home and find the job is much more complex than you explained it on the phone.

The usual rule of thumb for electricians is: time is money. To put a rough figure on it, a flat service fee generally lands at around $50 to $140, with the average hourly rate sitting between $70 and $95. But these are only estimates and will change between electricians.

Here’s some good news: if you’ve added Suncorp Insurance Home Assist to your policy, you get three excess-free callouts per policy period, with up to two hours of emergency assistance per callout. Plus, we’ll also cover repair materials up to $50!

What should I ask my electrician?

Are you licensed?

Before your electrician begins working on your home, ask to see their licence and registration cards so you know they’re qualified. Registrations are state based, so also make sure they’re allowed to work in your state.

What’s the plan?

If you’re renovating an area and want new power points, for example, make sure you know how many you want and where you want them.

You might also want to consider how many power points you want per outlet, and what they’re likely to be used for. An experienced electrician can advise you on what you’ll need and where, but it always helps to have an idea in your head first.

Is the work you perform covered?

Even if you have home insurance, the work a tradie does probably isn’t covered. Instead of being covered by, for example, your Suncorp Home and Contents Insurance policy, the electrician will need their own insurances. You should check if they have these prior to any works being done.

Read more:

• When do I need a plumber?
• Does my home insurance cover fire damage?
• How to prevent fires in your home

Insurance issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as Suncorp Insurance. Read the Product Disclosure Statement before buying this insurance. Go to suncorp.com.au for a copy. The Target Market Determination is also available. This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situation or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.

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