Cost of an electrician in melbourne
5th Feb '24 • By Kaylyn Jeffrey
As a general rule, simple electrical jobs are cheaper and more complex jobs will naturally be more expensive. We have a general cost guide here to give you an accurate measure as to what an electrician will cost you in Melbourne.
Melbourne is a big city full of highly skilled electrical professionals. Take the guesswork out in order to be sure you choose an electrical business that is licensed, insured and has great reviews. Choosing a quality electrician is more important than choosing a lower-cost service due to the dangerous nature that improper electrical work can cause.
If you want the work to be done correctly as a consumer, you need to do your homework or due diligence. What can be stated, however, is that housing prices in Victoria have lagged behind New South Wales, and with the number of electricians available in Melbourne, the market is competitive. This can result in lower call-out charges.
Electrician Insurance
Keep in mind that unlicensed electrical work in Australia is illegal. Electrical work is dangerous and should always be left to licensed professionals. In the unfortunate case anything unfortunate were to happen that caused damage to yourself, your home or your business, this insurance makes sure there is coverage when it’s really needed.
There are several important electrical tips to keep your home safe that can be considered when dealing with electrical jobs around the house.
Electrical Job Prices
The costs of an electrician in Melbourne will depend on the type of job.
The following jobs linger around $150 to $300 AUD: these include light switch replacement, meter box repair, cabling/wiring, renovation, installation and test and tag. Expect to pay around $79 per hour as the flat rate plus the call-out fee.
For more in-depth information on what you should expect to pay per job completed, visit our blog on how much an electrician costs per job. In the meantime, the table below is an indication of the more common electrical jobs:
- Down Light Installation: $35 plus call-out fee
- Power Point Repair: $60 plus call-out fee
- Light Switch Replacement: $95 plus call-out fee
- Metre Box Repair: $250 plus call-out fee
Other Factors That Affect Electrician Costs
There are several other factors that contribute to the cost of an electrician. These include the following:
Travelling to the Job
If the electrician you decide to hire is not local to your area, then you will have to pay for their travel costs to get to your location. Melbourne is a big city and prone to traffic jams. Therefore, this will be factored into the price of the job. This can be avoided if there are a number of jobs your electrician has to do for the day and you are the first one. It’s best to clarify these travelling arrangements before they arrive.
Materials and Tools Needed
Your electrical project may require your electrician to use certain tools and materials. This may result in you being charged extra, as costs may accumulate whilst the job is ongoing. It is important that you ensure your tradesman keeps you informed of the costs before they get out of hand.
The electrical job price will really depend on the nature of the job. If you supply your own materials, the job tends to be cheaper. Prices also increase if the job is outdoors, but not by an excessive amount. Other factors can involve the type and age of the property and if the job is an emergency. Costs tend to be higher for emergency situations as the electrician is sometimes required outside of normal working hours and on weekends.
Getting an electrician in can be an expensive process; however, anything more complicated than a bulb change is not a DIY job. Electricity is a potential risk that can have extremely dangerous consequences if not handled properly. Really do your homework; use sites like Service.com.au to find the right person for your electrical job. Ensure they have the proper qualifications and certificates, with sufficient insurance if the unexpected should occur.
Your home can easily develop ongoing electrical issues, which can become a real disruption to your daily activities and will be costly in the long run. Be prompt and get the right advice as soon as there are any concerns. Simple electrical issues like flickering, dimming lights and frequent circuit tripping can be a sign of far bigger problems.
Get multiple quotes from local electricians on Service.com.au to take care of all of your electrical needs.
Get free quotes in minutes.
Get quotes from our qualified and licensed tradies Australia-wide.
Cost Guides
- How Much Does an Electrician Cost? | Cost Guide
- How Much Does It Cost to Install Curtains and Blinds? | Cost Guide
- How Much Do House Extensions Cost? | Cost Guide
- How Much Does a Second-Storey Addition Cost? | Cost Guide
All the costs quoted were sourced at the time this article was written. They are to be used as an AUD cost guide and may vary locally, and are subject to market changes.