How Much Does a Switchboard Upgrade Cost in Adelaide?
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The cost of a switchboard upgrade depends on the size of your home, how many circuits the board has to feed, what is wrong with the old board and how much extra work the wiring needs. We do not quote a figure without seeing the board, because two similar-looking houses can need very different jobs. This guide explains what moves the price and how to compare quotes like for like.
Switchboard and meter box work is a regular part of our work: over 200 jobs for home owners in the 12 months to October 2026 involved a switchboard or meter box.
Why there is no single price
Search for a switchboard price and you will see wide ranges. That is because the job is not a standard product. You are paying for a licensed electrician's time, the board and the safety switches and circuit breakers that go in it, and any repairs the old wiring needs before it can be connected safely.
An honest quote can only come after someone has looked at your board. Be wary of a firm price over the phone with no questions asked about your house.
What drives the cost
These are the things that change the price most:
- The number of circuits. A small unit with a few circuits is a smaller job than a large family home with separate circuits for air conditioning, oven, hot water and the garage.
- The size of the new board. A board with room to spare for future circuits costs more than one sized exactly to today's needs, but it saves a second visit later.
- The condition of the old wiring. Brittle, damaged or mixed old wiring behind the board may need to be repaired or replaced before the new board is safe to connect.
- Safety switches. Fitting safety switches across all the power and lighting circuits is part of the job in most homes and is worth having.
- Where the board and meter sit. A cramped, damaged or hard-to-reach meter box can add time.
- The supply to the house. Some homes need work on the incoming supply, which can involve the network operator.
- Old materials. If the existing board is an old type that needs extra care when it is removed, a licensed electrician will stop and advise before going further.
What a fair quote should include
Ask for the quote in writing and check that it spells out:
- How many circuits will be on the new board, and how many safety switches.
- How many spare spaces the board will have.
- What happens to any circuit the electrician finds is faulty or overloaded.
- Testing of every circuit and safety switch after the work.
- The Certificate of Compliance for the job, which a licensed electrician gives you for this type of work.
- Who deals with the network operator if the supply needs attention.
- Whether power will be off, and for roughly how long.
If two quotes look very different, the cause is usually that one leaves something out. Compare the lists, not just the bottom line.
Ways to avoid surprises
- Have the electrician look at the board and the wiring before you accept a quote.
- Tell them about anything you plan to add soon, such as air conditioning, an EV charger or a pool pump, so the board is sized for it. Our guide on whether you need 3-phase power at home has more.
- Ask what is included if they find old wiring that needs attention once the cover comes off.
- Check the electrician's licence number before work starts. Our guide on checking an electrician's licence in SA shows how.
- Keep the Certificate of Compliance with your house records.
When an upgrade is worth doing
Ceramic fuses, a board that trips often, a burning smell, a cracked or scorched board, or no safety switches are all reasons to ask for an inspection. The same applies if you want to add an air conditioner or EV charger and the board has no room.
Our switchboard upgrades page explains the job step by step. If your power keeps tripping, start with our guide to why power keeps tripping.
Getting a quote from us
We will look at your board, explain what we find in plain words and put the scope in writing before any work starts. Call Hoile Electrical on 0482 099 388 and we will tell you what is involved. We are available 24 hours, 7 days.
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Common questions
Can you give me a switchboard price over the phone?
We can talk through your situation and what is usually involved, but a reliable quote needs someone to look at the board and the wiring. That is how we avoid surprises on the day.
Is a cheaper quote a bad sign?
Not always, but check what it leaves out. Compare the number of circuits, safety switches, spare spaces, testing and the Certificate of Compliance.
Will the power be off while you work?
Yes, for part of the job. We plan around fridges, medical equipment and working from home, so tell us what cannot lose power.
Do I need a new board to add an air conditioner?
Not always. It depends on whether the existing board has room and enough capacity. We can check when we look at it.
Do I get a certificate after the work?
A licensed electrician gives you a Certificate of Compliance for this type of work. Keep it with your house records.
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