Build Your Own House

Hi,

My 1950's brick cottage has the original meter box on the side of the house. The box contains the meter and only three circuits, each protected by a fuse. Three circuits is inadequate for the house, especially given an extension was added in the 80's, and in winter we trip the fuses if more than a couple of current appliances are in use.

As we move forward with our renovation I plan to have the wiring in the original part of the house replaced and additional circuits installed to carry a 'standard' load for a house of this size, along with a reverse cycle aircon unit.

I was considering getting an electrician to go ahead and replace the entire box with a new one with the capacity to support an appropriate number of circuits (and replace wiring in the future as we open walls, etc). I have no idea how much it would cost to supply an install a new meter/power box, and don't want to get ripped off. Can anyone give me an idea of how much I should expect to pay in Sydney to have a new meter box/board supplied and installed?

Thanks in advance,

Grant

Its sort of a hard to give a ball park figure site unseen
I would imagine its not just the meter box and switchboard
It would also be the earth system and possible the mains (depending on size and condition) and the difficulty of installing these.(access in roof/under the building etc)

I would suggest getting a few quotes

Thanks for the reply. I'm really just looking at replacing the meter box and switchboard at this time - I'd like to leave all the existing house wiring intact.

The risk is that an electrician will take one look at it and say that the house needs rewiring. If it doesn't meet code then a sparky who works on it is in a nasty position legally.

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Bruce
Draftie

we had same problem in our previous renovation
but our electrician woudlnt touch it with a forty foot pole unless we were prepared to replace the wiring the box and another box where the wires come from the street.
his point was he could lose his lisence for not complying wth standards its very dodgy territory with electrics and not one to be messed about with.
i suggest if you cant afford the whole lot at this stage then buy a heap of fuse wire.
we were told around 6 grand to rewire and change both the meter and the little box thingy
we brought more fuse wire and sold the house lol

the problem with a 50's house is that it may contain the black sheathed silicon insulation. and when moved the inulation will crumble off the wire and will have to be replaced before power can be restored.

the metering is not up to you it is the responsibility. if your supply authority.

if your house doesnt contain silicon insulation wire it would normally cost around $1000 to replace the switch board and install safety switches to bring it up to date.

if your house contains the black silicone insulation be prepaired to spend alot of money and keep in mind that most insurance companies will not pay out on a fire caused by this wire, you should check with your insurer.

regards
Keith

As a (retired) sparky, I never came across silicone insulated mains cable, but certainly rubber insulated cable. This was good in its time, but with age and temperature, the rubber tends to rot, leading to quite dangerous situations, i.e., the active can short to neutral, causing fire.

Dogalog again- the option I would go for is to get as many quotes as possible- (not necessarilly the cheapest). Ask each sparky what you can do to perhaps minimise his time on the job- i.e., you may be able to drop a draw wire down a cavity wall, or chase a wall, or perhaps drill out the hole in the wall for the metal boxes, where you want the outlets installed- anything to make his job easier. Tradesmen like to think only they can do the work- in practice the difference between a tradesman and an amatuer is that the tradesman has training and expertise- the amatuer has time. A lot of the work done by traddies is slog work- done by the apprentice. Most importantly, negotiate. When you get a quote, simply ask "Is that your best price." Doesn't hurt to be cheeky.

Doggy.