Common questions, plain answers.

You don't need a council permit for a switchboard upgrade, but the work must be certified. Sam does the compliance paperwork and lets the electricity distributor know where required. New service mains need a Level 2 accredited service provider (ASP). Sam handles the switchboard side and arranges a Level 2 ASP when it's needed.

Typically two to four hours. Sam transfers circuits one at a time and keeps essential loads (like the fridge) on a temporary feed where possible.

It depends on the size of the home and what you want in it, like the number of lights and powerpoints, the switchboard, data cabling, an EV charger or underfloor heating. Every build is different, so call Sam for a written quote based on your plans.

For an average three-bed home, three to five days on site is typical. Sam works room by room so you can keep living in the house. Larger or more complex homes can take longer.

Every home in NSW needs at least one working smoke alarm on each level. New builds and major renovations need hardwired alarms with battery backup, interconnected so they all sound together. Photoelectric alarms are the type usually recommended. Sam can check what your home needs.

Yes. Landlords have specific obligations under NSW rental law including annual testing, replacement within ten years, and immediate replacement of any failed unit. Sam handles the install plus the paperwork.

Half a day on average if the switchboard has capacity and the run from board to parking is reasonable. Longer if cable trenching is required or the board needs upgrading first.

Not always. Single-phase supports up to about 7kW which fully charges most EVs overnight. Three-phase supports 11kW and higher, which is useful if you have a larger battery or want faster charging. Sam will check your existing supply before quoting.

Yes. For a like-for-like swap of a standard electric hot water unit, the electrical side is usually straightforward. Call Sam to check when he can get there. You'll also need a plumber for the water connections.

Often, yes. Many induction cooktops need their own dedicated circuit, commonly 32A, and kitchens that used to have gas often don't have one. Sam can check the cooktop's specs and run a new circuit from the switchboard during your kitchen renovation.

It depends on where the new powerpoint is going, how easy it is to get a cable to it, and whether the nearby circuit has room for it. Doing a few in the same visit usually works out better value. Send Sam a photo or give him a call for a quote.

Yes. Sam can retrofit downlights into plasterboard ceilings and keeps the mess to a minimum. For ceiling spaces with limited access, there might be a small amount of patching afterwards, which Sam will flag in the quote.

Yes. Pixelation usually points to a signal problem, like an antenna that's out of line, an old amplifier, or a damaged cable somewhere in the run. Sam can check the signal and track down the cause.

Yes. Sam can run a Cat6 cable to where you need it and install a wired access point. This is usually more reliable than a wireless extender. Use your own access point, or ask Sam to supply one.

It can be, depending on the job. If you need work done outside trading hours so you can keep the doors open, mention it when you call and Sam will talk through the options and include it in the quote.

Call Sam and talk it through. He takes on smaller commercial and residential jobs, and he'll tell you straight if a job is too big for a one-man business.

Smiths Lake is Sam's home base, so local jobs are close by. Give him a call and he'll let you know when he can get there.

Yes. Sam regularly works in Forster, from family homes and switchboards to EV chargers and commercial fit-outs. Give him a call to check when he can fit you in.