01
Electrical work
This covers the fixed wiring of your home: switchboards, rewiring older properties, safety switches, and three phase supply. It is the category most home owners bump into first, usually through a switchboard that is out of room or a circuit that keeps tripping.
What the work involves
A switchboard upgrade typically means a new enclosure with safety switches protecting the circuits. Rewiring means replacing old cable throughout the home, which is invasive and depends on roof and wall access. Three phase supply relates to how power is delivered to the property and what equipment can run from it. All of this is fixed wiring work carried out by a licensed electrician.
Signs you might need it
- An older board with ceramic fuses or no safety switches visible.
- Lights flickering, circuits tripping repeatedly, or a burning smell near the board.
- Cracked or perished cable insulation in an older home.
- Plans to add equipment that draws a lot of power.
Questions to ask
- What exactly is included, and what is listed separately?
- Who will sign the electrical safety certificate for the work?
- What happens if the wiring fails testing once the job starts?
- Can you explain the difference between single phase and three phase supply for my situation?
02
Solar and batteries
Solar panels and home batteries are a common upgrade, and the parts most people underestimate are the site assessment and the wiring between the equipment and the rest of the home.
What the work involves
Panels are mounted on the roof, connected through an inverter, and wired into your switchboard. A battery stores what the panels generate so you can use it later. The job usually includes mounting, cabling, an inverter, a connection to your board, and paperwork at the end. Roof condition, shading and the age of your switchboard all affect the plan.
Signs you might need it
- Power bills that feel out of step with how much you use.
- A roof that gets good sun for most of the day.
- An existing system that is old and no longer performing.
- An interest in storing your own generation rather than exporting it.
Questions to ask
- How was the system sized for my usage and my roof?
- What is covered by the warranty, and for how long on each part?
- Does my switchboard need work before this can be connected?
- What happens at the end of the system life, and who removes it?
03
Air conditioning
Air conditioning is part installation, part electrical work. The unit itself is only one piece of the job; the position, the electrical supply and the drainage all matter.
What the work involves
A split system has an indoor unit and an outdoor unit connected by pipework and cabling. The installer positions both, runs the pipework, and provides a dedicated electrical supply. Larger or multi room systems may need more supply capacity. Ducted systems add ductwork through the roof or under the floor.
Signs you might need it
- Rooms that are hard to keep comfortable in summer or winter.
- An older unit that is noisy, leaking or no longer cooling well.
- Plans to add a room or extend the house.
- Damp or mould that keeps returning despite ventilation.
Questions to ask
- What size unit suits the room, and how was that decided?
- Is a dedicated electrical circuit needed, and is it in the quote?
- Where will the outdoor unit sit, and how will it be supported?
- Where does the condensate drain go?
04
Roofing: repairs, restoration and replacement
Roof work covers a wide range, from patching a leak to restoring an ageing roof to a full replacement. The right answer depends on the condition of the roof and what is underneath it.
What the work involves
A repair deals with a specific problem such as a cracked tile, a failed flashing or a damaged section of sheet roofing. Restoration usually means cleaning, treating and recoating an existing roof to extend its life. Replacement means removing the old covering and installing a new one, and often includes checking the battens, insulation and roof sarking while the roof is open.
Signs you might need it
- Stains on the ceiling or damp patches after rain.
- Cracked, slipped or missing tiles or sheets.
- Rust or corrosion on metal roofing.
- A roof that is visibly tired and shedding its coating.
Questions to ask
- Is this a repair, a restoration or a replacement, and why?
- What is the condition of the parts underneath the covering?
- What is excluded from the quote, such as scaffolding or disposal?
- What warranty applies, and what does it actually cover?
05
Solar panel meshing for bird control
Birds nesting under solar panels are a common problem. They build nests in the gap between the panels and the roof, which can lead to mess, noise and damage to cabling over time. Meshing closes that gap.
What the work involves
A coated wire mesh is fitted around the perimeter of the array to stop birds getting underneath, fixed so it follows the shape of the panels and the roof. The installers need to work safely at height and take care not to disturb the panels, the mounting or the wiring while fitting it.
Signs you might need it
- Birds seen flying in and out from under the panels.
- Nesting material, droppings or feathers around the array.
- Noise from the roof, especially early in the morning.
- Chewed or disturbed cabling noticed during a check.
Questions to ask
- Will fitting the mesh affect the panels or the mounting?
- How is the mesh fixed, and will it damage the roof surface?
- Does the work involve any electrical components, and who is licensed for that?
- What does the mesh look like from the street?
