Most residential switchboard upgrades on Auckland’s North Shore cost between $1,350 and $2,300. Where a particular job sits in that band comes down to three things: the size and condition of the existing board, the number of circuits on it, and the protection those circuits require.
That is the honest range, and it is the same range we quote whether the board is in Browns Bay, Takapuna or Warkworth. Below is what actually moves the number, so you can work out roughly where your own place is likely to land before anyone comes out.
What decides where a job sits in the price band?
Three things, in roughly this order.
The size and condition of your existing switchboard. A tidy, reasonably modern board being brought up to standard is a different job from an old ceramic fuse box with decades of additions bolted onto it. Condition is usually the single biggest factor, because it decides how much of the existing installation can be reused.
The number of circuits on the board. Every circuit needs its own protection device and its own termination, so a house with a handful of circuits is quicker and cheaper than one with lights, power, hot water, an oven, a heat pump and an outbuilding all coming back to the same board.
The protection those circuits require. Under AS/NZS 3000, the wiring standard New Zealand electrical work is carried out to, modern switchboards need RCD protection on applicable circuits. Which circuits those are, and what devices they need, depends on what is actually installed at your place rather than on a template.
What does the price include?
A switchboard upgrade from us is a complete job, not a board swap. It covers RCD protection on the required circuits, clearly labelled circuits so faults are easier to find and isolate, quality circuit breakers and protection equipment, spare capacity for future additions where that is practical, and neat wiring we are happy to put our name to.
It also covers the paperwork, which matters more than people expect. Every upgrade is completed with an electrical compliance certificate and a Record of Inspection. You can also have a QR code sticker fitted to the board that links to your property’s electrical record, so the next person who opens it is not starting from scratch.
The workmanship is backed by our Lifetime Workmanship Warranty. Products and materials we supply are covered by the applicable manufacturer’s warranty.
How long does it take, and will the power be off?
Most residential switchboard upgrades are done within a day. The exact time depends on the condition of the existing board, the number of circuits, and whether any other electrical work is needed while we are in there.
The power does need to be off while the board is replaced and tested. There is no way around that. We tell you beforehand so you can plan around it, and we keep the outage as short as is practical.
Do I need to rewire the whole house as well?
In most cases, no. A switchboard upgrade can usually be completed without replacing your home’s existing wiring, provided that wiring is still safe and compliant. We assess what is there before quoting, so if something behind the board does need attention you hear about it at the quote stage rather than halfway through the job.
How do I know if my switchboard needs upgrading?
The common signs are worth knowing, because most of them are visible without touching anything:
- Ceramic fuses, or an older fuse box rather than a board with breakers
- Limited or no RCD protection
- Breakers or fuses that trip regularly
- Any sign of overheating or damage
- Circuits that are poorly labelled or not labelled at all
- A renovation, or adding significant electrical load
- Installing an EV charger, a spa or another large appliance
- Your insurer has asked for an upgrade
That last one comes up more than it used to. So does the EV charger, which is often the point at which an older board runs out of room.
How do I get a price for my own switchboard?
Send us a photo of it. In many cases we can give you an initial estimate from a photo of your existing switchboard at no charge, which is usually enough to tell you whether you are at the bottom or the top of the range. If a site visit is needed to price the work properly, we will tell you before we proceed rather than after.
You can read the full detail on our switchboard upgrades page, or get in touch with a photo and we will come back to you the same working day.