Do your due diligence so that the cost to hire an electrician doesn’t come as a shock.
There are many DIY projects that you can tackle over the weekend to improve your property on the Sunshine Coast. Electrical work, though, isn’t one of them. When it comes to this area of home maintenance and repairs, you can’t save costs by doing it yourself. Whether you have a new build or an older home that needs to upgrade some of its features, this article sheds more light on what you can expect to pay.
If you want to learn more, check out our resources below:
1. How to choose the best electrician on the Sunshine Coast
2. Pros and cons of hiring an electrician
3. Hiring an electrician vs DIY
4. How to know if an electrician is taking an advantage of you
What types of jobs can electricians complete?
There are various types of jobs that qualified electricians can complete. The following are some of the types of services and projects that they can tackle:
- Indoor and outdoor lighting solutions
- Power points
- Cabling
- Solar power
- Home automation
- Security systems
- Home entertainment systems
- Routine maintenance
- Repairs
- Rewiring
- Switchboards
- Emergency work
Factors that impact the cost to hire an electrician
Quoting for electrical work isn’t that simple. There are a number of factors that can impact how much a service on the Sunshine Coast will charge you. Here are two main factors to keep in mind:
Complexity of the project
Not all projects are equally straightforward. For example, if there are brick walls involved, it can require much more drilling, which will push up the price. A job like rewiring a house is also much more intricate, and for a big project like this, you can expect to pay over $1,000.
Though, that’s still cheap compared to what you can pay for home automation. A project like this will require the automation of various elements including your lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, security, and possibly even home appliances. On the upside, it will also increase your property’s value considerably.
Then, if they have difficulty accessing certain areas to complete the job (which is often the case with older homes), it will also make the project — even a straightforward one — more difficult which will drive up the bill too.
Location
While not significantly, the average hourly rate in Australia varies from one state to the next. It’s generally the most expensive in Victoria and New South Wales where the experts charge just over $100 per hour. Inn Australia Capital Territory, they are the most affordable and charge on average $90.50 per hour.
In Queensland, you can expect to pay about $98 per hour. This is well in line with the overall average rate of $97 per hour that the professionals in Australia charge.
That said, don’t expect to pay the same rate in all cities across Queensland. The city can also impact the rate. For example, in Brisbane, the average hourly rates can be anything from only $75 to $110.
How much should you expect to pay for electrical services
For example, some might charge a call-out fee, while others prefer to charge more for the first hour. Most experts, though, choose to charge a flat service fee for the first 30 minutes of labor and an hourly rate. The service fee to hire an electrician can be anything from $70 to almost double that, while the average hourly rate in Queensland is about $100, but in Brisbane you can be charged up to $110 per hour.
As mentioned there are various types of projects that the professionals on the Sunshine Coast can complete. Here’s a breakdown of the average cost to hire an electrician:
| Service | Cost |
| Installation of LED lights | $60 – $80 per point |
| Installation of a new power point | $140 – $180 (labor and materials included) |
| Installation of outdoor lights | $75 – $95 per hour |
| Installation of safety switches | $90 – $250 per hour |
| Installation of a hard-wired smoke alarm | $150 per smoke alarm |
| Upgrading the switchboard | $500 – $1,200 |
| Rewiring a house | $800 – $1,200 |
| Basic home automation system for an average small home | $20,000 |
| Basic home automation system for a large home | $50,000 – $100,000 |
Tips for hiring an electrician on the Sunshine Coast
It’s fair to expect that cost to hire an electrician will play a critical factor when deciding on which company will be best for the job at hand. However, that should not be the only consideration. Just like with many other types of services, you often end up getting what you paid for and, considering the huge safety element involved in the work, it’s an area where you definitely don’t want to cut any corners just to save a few dollars.
In addition to asking them about what the project will cost (and it’s recommended that you get this quote in writing), the following are some other key questions to ask:
- How many years of experience do you have?
- How long will the project take to complete?
- What other electrical services can you offer?
- Are you insured?
- Are you licensed?
- Will I get a signed electrical certificate to validate the work completed?
- Do you have any references that I may contact?
Turn to DYFA Electrical for upfront pricing and quality guaranteed
No one likes to pay more than they have to, but, at the same time, sacrificing the quality is never worth it. This especially true when you’re completing electrical work where the safety of your loved ones is at stake.
That’s why DYFA Electrical offers customers a 100% price-beat guarantee. Our experienced, qualified, and fully licensed team will be within budget and punctual. Honesty is one of our core values, and that’s also why all our tradesmen are police cleared.
Just like you don’t have to worry about any hidden costs to hire an electrician, you also don’t have to dread having to clean up the site after our team has completed the job. Included in the price is a 100% quality and clean-up guarantee. We’re only done when you’re completely happy with the work that we’ve completed.
Call us on 07 5472 4152 for more information or complete this online enquiry form for a free quote today.
