Available 24x7Available 24x7Published: October 26, 2026
A quick overview before you dive in:
A switchboard upgrade in Sydney costs from $1,200 + GST for a straightforward board replacement, and $7,000 to $11,000+ + GST when a home moves to three phase power or the board has to be relocated. These prices assume suitable existing wiring and reasonable access to the board, extra work is quoted separately, any network charges for three phase work are separate, and your final price is confirmed in a free, fixed quote. Where your job sits in that range depends mostly on how many circuits your home has, how much room you need for solar, a battery or an EV charger, and whether the board can stay where it is.
This guide explains what you get at each price, what changes the cost and what to check in any quote. The figures are the prices Impulse Electrical Enterprise quotes for switchboard work across Sydney.
Most switchboard jobs fall into one of three ranges. Every job is confirmed in a free, fixed quote before any work starts.
Type of upgrade | What it usually covers | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
Full board replacement | A new board with safety switches and circuit breakers, plus the network notification | $1,200 to $4,000+ + GST |
Expanded capacity, solar and EV ready | A larger board with room for solar, a battery or an EV charger | $4,000 to $7,000+ + GST |
Three phase upgrade and relocation | Moving to three phase power or moving the board to a new spot | $7,000 to $11,000+ + GST |
These prices assume suitable existing wiring and reasonable access to the board. Extra equipment, new circuits and other work are quoted separately, and for three phase work any network charges are separate too. For a relocation, network, metering provider and Level 2 costs may apply if the meter or connection has to move, and your written quote states which of these it includes. Our switchboard upgrade service explains how we quote and what a standard upgrade includes.
A switchboard upgrade is more than a new box on the wall. Whichever price range your job falls into, a complete quote should cover:
We use parts from brands including Hager, Clipsal, Schneider Electric, ABB, NHP and Voltex. Our workmanship is covered by our warranty, and products and parts come with a 2 to 7 year manufacturer's warranty, depending on the product.
Two homes with similar boards can get quite different quotes. These are the main reasons:
Most Sydney homes run well on single phase power. Three phase is usually worth considering for a 22 kW EV charger, large ducted air conditioning, a heated pool or spa, workshop machinery, or a big renovation that adds many new appliances. Single phase home EV chargers usually top out at around 7 kW, which suits most drivers charging overnight.
A 3 phase switchboard upgrade typically costs $7,000 to $11,000+ + GST. Prices assume reasonable access to your switchboard and meter. Any network charges are separate, and your price is confirmed in a free, fixed quote. We arrange the network application, with Ausgrid or Endeavour Energy, and any Level 2 work on the network side, so you deal with one company. Level 2 work is done by an Accredited Service Provider (Level 2), who can install, repair or maintain the service lines between your home and the network. If you're still deciding, read our guide on whether three phase power is worth it.
Not every switchboard problem means a new board. A loose or burnt connection can be repaired, and a circuit without a safety switch can sometimes have one added. Like-for-like repairs don't trigger the requirement to add RCDs, but when a circuit is altered, that circuit generally needs RCD protection.
Replacing the switchboard itself is different: the new board needs safety switches on the circuits it supplies. On an old ceramic fuse board, that can make a full replacement the practical option. We'll tell you which applies when we look at your board.
If you've been quoted well under $1,200 + GST, check that the price includes:
If anything is missing, ask why before you accept. Our guide to what each switchboard quote should include covers this in more detail.
For a typical home, the power is off for about three hours to a full day, depending on the work, and we tell you in advance when it will go off. A three phase upgrade usually takes about two days of work, and the overall timing also depends on the network's approval. Moving the board or dealing with asbestos can add time.
You're likely to need an upgrade if your board still has ceramic fuses, has no safety switches or only one for the whole home. Planning an EV charger, solar, a battery, an induction cooktop or ducted air conditioning is another reason to have it checked. A safety switch that keeps tripping is different: it has usually found a fault, so have the fault found first. Our guide to old switchboard warning signs explains each one.
If there's smoke or fire, get everyone out and call triple zero (000) first. If you can smell burning, see scorch marks or hear buzzing at the board, don't wait for a quote. If you can safely reach the switchboard, switch off the main switch, and don't touch anything that is scorched, melted or wet. Then call our emergency electrician line, which is answered 24/7. We confirm the call-out price on the phone before we send anyone, make the fault safe, and quote any repair or upgrade for you to approve.
Yes. The ranges in this guide are typical prices. Your final price is confirmed in a free, fixed quote before any work starts, and the quote shows exactly what's included.
Often, yes. If your board has no room for new circuits and safety switches, it will need upgrading before an EV charger, solar or a battery can be added safely. Building in that room can put the job in the middle price range, $4,000 to $7,000+ + GST, assuming suitable existing wiring and reasonable access. We check this when we quote and confirm your price in a free, fixed quote.
Existing customers can ask us for a free electrical safety inspection. If you only want your safety switches checked, safety switch testing is $99 + GST per safety switch, and you get a written report.
We're based in Strathfield and quote switchboard work across the Inner West and greater Sydney.
Tell us what your board has now and what you want it to run in future, such as solar, a battery or an EV charger. Call 0481 228 836 or request a free quote, and we'll confirm a fixed price before any work starts. Our phones are answered 24/7.
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