“How much will it cost?” is the first question almost everyone asks. Fair enough. The honest answer is that it depends on the job, but that doesn’t mean you have to go in blind. Here’s what drives the price, some typical ranges for common work, and how to get a fast, accurate quote.
What affects the price
- The type of work. Swapping a light fitting is quick. A switchboard upgrade or rewiring takes much longer and needs more materials.
- Access. A low-pitched roof, a double-storey home or a concrete slab can make it harder to run cable.
- The age and condition of your home. Older wiring sometimes needs extra work before new work can be added safely.
- Materials. A basic LED downlight costs less than a premium dimmable one. The same goes for fans, chargers and switches.
- Timing. After-hours and emergency work can be charged at different rates from standard business hours.
- Certificates and inspections. Prescribed work such as switchboards needs an independent inspection and a Certificate of Electrical Safety.
Typical price ranges
These are typical Melbourne ranges from an independent price guide, checked in October 2026. They’re a guide only, not our prices. Every job is quoted individually.
- Electrician hourly rate: about $85 to $160 an hour
- Call-out fee: about $50 to $160
- New power point: about $160 to $315 per point
- LED downlight: about $65 to $160 per light
- Safety switch: about $160 to $370 per switch
- Hard-wired smoke alarm: about $105 to $260 per alarm
- Ceiling fan: about $160 to $420 per fan
- Switchboard upgrade: about $950 to $3,000
- EV charger, supplied and installed: about $1,050 to $3,150
Source: What’s The Damage Melbourne electrician cost guide, October 2026.
Doing several jobs in one visit usually works out better value than booking them separately, because travel and set-up time is shared.
Call-out fees and after-hours work
Many electricians charge a call-out or service fee to cover travel and the first part of the job. Emergency work at night, on weekends or on public holidays can cost more. Always ask before the electrician heads out, so you can decide. When you call us, we explain the cost upfront.
How to get an accurate quote fast
- Send photos. A photo of your switchboard, the wall where you want a power point, or the light you want replaced often lets us price small jobs without a visit.
- Be specific. “Six halogen downlights in the living room to LED, dimmable” is easier to price than “new lights”.
- Mention access. Tell us if it’s a double-storey home, if there’s limited roof space, or if the area is hard to reach.
- Bundle jobs. List everything you’d like done, even small things.
For bigger work like switchboards, rewiring or commercial jobs, we visit and give you a written quote.
Three example jobs
To show how the ranges add up, here are three common jobs we see in Melbourne’s west. These use the independent guide ranges above, not our prices.
An extra kitchen power point in Point Cook
A single double power point on a kitchen wall, run from an existing circuit, typically falls somewhere around $160 to $315. If the circuit is already loaded with a kettle, toaster and microwave, a new circuit may be needed, which costs more.
Ten halogens to LED in Sanctuary Lakes
At roughly $65 to $160 per light, ten LED downlights could range from about $650 to $1,600, depending on the fittings chosen and roof access. Dimmable or tri-colour fittings sit at the higher end.
A 1980s switchboard in Hoppers Crossing
Replacing an old fuse board with circuit breakers and safety switches often lands around $950 to $3,000. The final figure depends on how many circuits there are, the condition of the main cable, and whether there’s an asbestos backing panel.
What a good quote includes
- a clear description of the work and the fittings or materials
- whether the price is fixed or an estimate, and what could change it
- the Certificate of Electrical Safety and any inspection costs
- GST
- how long the job will take and when it can start
If something isn’t clear, ask. A good electrician is happy to explain.
Be careful with very cheap quotes
A price that’s much lower than everyone else’s can be a warning sign. Check that the person is a licensed electrician working for a Registered Electrical Contractor. You can search Energy Safe Victoria’s public register. You should also receive a Certificate of Electrical Safety for the work. Unlicensed electrical work is illegal in Victoria and can be dangerous. Read why DIY and unlicensed electrical work is illegal.
Our approach
We keep it simple: a clear price before we start, no surprises on the invoice, and every job quoted on its own merits. For small jobs we can often give you a ballpark over the phone. For larger jobs we come out, look at everything properly and put it in writing.
Want an accurate price?
We’re a family-owned, licensed electrical business based in Point Cook, with more than 25 years of experience. We work across Williams Landing, Werribee, Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit, Truganina and the rest of Melbourne’s west, and we take emergency calls 24/7. See all our electrical services.
Call us on 0405 418 132, or send a few details and a photo of the job. Every job is quoted before we start.