The seven signs
1. Ceramic rewireable fuses on a wooden or black panel. 2. No safety switches (RCDs) — look for test buttons on the breakers. 3. Breakers trip when you run multiple appliances. 4. Lights flicker or dim when the air con or kettle starts. 5. The board feels warm or smells odd. 6. You're adding air conditioning, a pool or an EV charger. 7. Your home was built before the mid-1990s and the board has never been touched.
Any one of these is worth a look. Two or more and an upgrade moves from 'eventually' to 'soon'.
Why it matters more in the Redlands
A huge share of Redlands housing stock — Capalaba's 70s and 80s brick homes, Alexandra Hills' post-war places, the older bayside cottages in Wellington Point and Ormiston — is running on switchboards designed for a fraction of today's electrical load. Add a split system, an induction cooktop and an EV charger to a 1978 board and something has to give.
Queensland law also requires safety switches on power circuits, with extra requirements when selling or renting. An upgrade is usually the cleanest path to compliance.
What an upgrade involves
A standard residential upgrade is usually done in a day: the old board comes out, a modern board with safety switches and circuit breakers goes in, circuits are labelled and tested, and you get certification for your records. Power is off during the changeover, so most people plan around a morning start.
Call 0431 946 369 and we'll arrange an assessment — you'll know exactly where your board stands and what an upgrade would cost before committing to anything.
Talk to a local electrician
Call 0431 946 369 for straight advice and a fixed upfront quote — or send the form and we'll get back to you.
Call 0431 946 369