How Much Do Electricians Cost

How much will it cost?

How Much Do Electricians Cost?

Before you spend any money, regardless of the size of the job, it is important you have a budget. Budgets help to keep people on track with their spending habits to avoid getting into debt by spending money they do not have. This also applies when looking to hire an electrician. In this article we will look at the costs of hiring electicvian as well as licence information in each state and other helpful information about elecrteical contractors.

Licensing and regulations in Australia

It is illegal to conduct electrical work if you are not a licenced electrician. Licence classes define or determine what level of work an electrician can legally carry out. An electrician’s class is written in detail on their physical electrician licence. If an apprentice is working in a commercial environment, a fully licenced contractor must accompany them.

Before getting an licence, one must undergo the necessary training and an apprenticeship. Working with elecrticity is dangerous so it is paramount that they comply with the health and safety regulations from their local government.

See outlined below the licensing and regulations for each or the eight states and territories in Australia

1. Western Australia

There are various permits available which include:

  • Contracting work – this licence is issued to certified electrical contractors only.
  • Installing work – this licenceis issued to certified electricians and is valid for up to 5 years.
  • Electrical training – this licence is issued to apprentices and trainees. It is usually issued for the period of the traineeship. Training organizations and employees are supposed to see the licence before enrolling them into their system.
  • Restricted work – this licence is issued to non-electricians to carry out a particular range of electrical tasks legally. However, the restricted worker is not legally allowed to carry out installations, be it fixing, wiring, or replacing items such as power points, lighting, fittings, etc.

Learn more from the Western Australian Department of Commerce.

2. Victoria

In Victoria, there are three types of licences:

  • Electrical contractors licence – This licence allows an electrician to carry out installation work. It is renewed after five years.
  • Restricted worker licence – this licence allows an electrician to conduct low voltage work. It is designed for tradespersons who need to install electrical equipment so as to perform their job.
  • Electrician (supervised) licence – this licenceis recommended for an apprentice electrician. The electrician is only allowed to work under strict supervision.

Learn more from Energy Safe Victoria.

3. Tasmania

There are four categories of licence in Tasmania:

  • Practitioners licence – this licence allows a qualified individual to carry out electrical work.
  • Electrical contractors licence – this licence allows an practitioner to enter into contracts.
  • Restricted electrical licence – this licenceis issued to tradespersons whose line of work involves installing equipment.
  • Provisional licence – this licence is issued to tradesman from other countries that hold a valid licence.

Learn more from the Tasmanian Justice Department.

4. South Australia

In South Australia, there are strict rules that require only licenced contractors to carry out all plumbing, gas fitting,and electrical work. These licences are renewed yearly.

Learn more from the South Australian Government.

5. Queensland

There are two licences in Queensland.

  • Electrical mechanic licence – for residential work.
  • Restricted electrical work licence – this licence is issued to service technicians such as air conditioning, plumber and gasfitters, and other licenced tradespersons.

Learn more from Worksafe Queensland.

6. Northern Territory

According to the Electrical Industry Workers and Contractors Board in the Northern Territory State issues sevceral licenses including:

  • A’ grade electrical mechanic licence
  • Mutual recognition licence – issued to licenced tradesman from other states.
  • Restricted licence
  • Apprentice training licence.

Learn more from the Nothern Territory Licensing Board.

7. New South Wales

There are two types of licences and certificates in the New South Wales.

  • Contractor licence- this licence allows the holder to contact and advertise his services as described on his licence card.
  • Qualified supervisor certificate – this certificate allows the holder to supervise as well as carry out the work described on his certificate.
  • Nominated qualified supervisor licence – this licenceis issued to a company or a partnership. It expires after three years.
  • Tradesperson certificate – also known as the journeyman, this certificate is issued to tradespeople whose work involves disconnecting and reconnecting equipment. The certificate is renewable every three years.

Learn more from New South Wales Fair Trading.

8. ACT

There are three types of licences in the ACT:

  • Electrical contractor licence – this licence is issued to businesses be it individual and or a partnership.
  • Unrestricted electrician licence – issued to licenced electricians.
  • Restricted electricians licence – this licenceis issued to tradespeople whose work involves connecting and disconnecting equipment.

Learn more from the Access Canberra.

The government of Australia expects each state to formulate and follow these licensing regulations in order to accord its citizens public health and safety while ensuring equity of access and economic efficiency.

Electrical safety

Accidents involving electrcity arise from DIY jobs or unsupervised work. There are standard guidelines that help manage and regulate electrical risks at home.

  1. Ensure all electrical appliance cords are kept away from water. Water is a good conductor of electricity. If an electric cable is exposed to water, the chances are that there will be an electric circuit that may cut off your power supply.
  2. Avoid overloading one power outlet with too many cords. Instead, use a power board outlet that has inbuilt safety devices that prevent power overload.
  3. Install childproof plugs in all electric outlets and sockets to block children from poking their fingers or items into them.
  4. Ensure that all your wiring is done by a licenced electrician no matter how minor the job might look.
  5. Install safety switches at your meter box and ensure you test them after every three months by pressing the test’ or T’ button.
  6. Ensure you are aware of all underground power lines on your property. Also, before digging on your property, call the national referral service on 1100 for verification and a go-ahead.
  7. Ensure there are no broken pipes or water leaks in your home as this may result in a fire or someone being electrocuted if the water is exposed to electricity or power circuits.

Tips on how to find a reliable electrician

When looking to hire a sparkie, it is important that you verify whether they are qualified. Below are a few tips for hiring an electrician.

  1. Ask to see their licences – in all eight states of Australia, the tradespersons physical licence indicates their position. Verifying their licence is safer since it can be revoked in case of a breach by the governing body.
  2. Ask for references – it is prudent that you ask for references from their previous existing clients to get a review on their standard of work before contracting their services.
  3. Get a quote beforehand – ensure the quote is detailed with a start and finish time. The quote should also contain the agreed payment terms.
  4. Only pay after work has been done and completed.
  5. Insurance – ensure they hold valid insurance.

Electrical associations

There are various organizations in Australia which were formed with the aim of advancing interests in electric energy. They include;

Master Electricians Australia

This association was formed with the aim of ensuring conteactors keep building their skills so as to keep them at the forefront of the electrical contracting industry by offering expert advice and training.

Electric Energy Society of Australia (EESA)

This association is committed to the professional development of tradesman. It offers a platform where professionals can network.

National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA)

This is an industry body that represents the best interest of the electrical and communication industry in Australia.

So how much do electricians cost?

Most electrical contractors charge according to time plus a call out fee. The call out fee cost is between $30 – $70. This fee is standard practice in Australia and was formulated to prevent tradesman wasting time doing quotes . Many sparkies could spend an entire day quoting jobs and going home empty handed. Although these costs vary, most companies absorbing this charge into the first hour of actual work. The average hourly rates are between $60 – $90 per hour (calculated in 15-minute increments).

Below is a list of average prices for various services. Please note these prices vary depending on the contractor.

Ceiling fans – 1 – 2.5 Hours

  • The service is charged between $100 – $200 per fan installed. However, the price is bound to go down if you have several fans that need to be fixed.
  • The cost of the fan excluding installation ranges from $169 to $779 depending on the brand.

LED lighting – 1.5 – 3 Hours Per room

  • Installaing LED lights is approximately $40 – $70 per light.
  • If you need a LED light supplied and installed, you are likely to spend around $60-$75.

Ducted heating system – 6 Hours – 2 days

Many factors determine the cost of installing a ducted heating system such as its size, the brand, your zoning preference and how difficult or easy the installation is.

  • A basic 3-star unit cost anywhere between $3000 and $4000 including installation. The cost may change depending on the brand.
  • The cost of a ducting tape and installation range from $5,400 to $8999 depending on the KW.

Data Cabling – 1+ Hours

  • The installation cost of data cabling ranges from $60 – $90 per hour. The cost is dependent on the type of cable used, the number of rooms.

Switchboards – 6 Hours

  • A new switchboard can cost between $1,000 – $2,500.

Appliance repairs – 1+ Hours

The cost of appliance repairs varies depending on the extent of damage and the type such as a fridge or a microwave.

  • The cost for appliance repairs is set at an hourly rate between $60 – $90.

Home automation – 1-2 Days

  • The cost of home automation depends on the size of your home, number of rooms and the brand of the system. The cost will range from $1,000 – $15,000.

Installing downlights

  • Downlight are either charged per light or per hour. It will usually take 1 hour to intall 2 lights.

Installing a smoke alarm

  • Installation of a smoking alarm will cost between $75 – $100.

New Light Switches

  • New switches cost between $20 – $50 per switch.

Extra TV Points

  • The average cost for an additional tv point ranges from $90 – $180. The cost is affected by factors such as distance from the antenna, ceiling access and or under floor.

Extra Telephone Points

  • The cost ranges between $70 – $160.
  • The cost may be affected by distance from existing phone sockets that may require more cable.

Extra Internet Points

The cost of an additional internet point ranges between $100 – $200 depending on the type of connection.

Wrap Up

We hope you enjoyed this article on “How much do elctricians cost?“. If you have any queries please contact VIP Electrician Brisbane to get your questions answered.

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