How Long Does it Take to get to Upgrade Switchboard
When someone tells you your switchboard needs upgrading, your first thought probably isn’t, “Great, when can we start?” It’s more like: How long’s this going to take? Am I going to lose a whole day for it? Do I need to take time off work?
Totally fair questions—and ones we hear from Melbourne homeowners all the time.
Switchboard upgrades aren’t just another item on your to-do list. They’re the kind of job that keeps everything else running safely behind the scenes. But knowing how long it takes matters. It’s not just about convenience—it’s about being able to plan your day without surprises.
So, how long does it actually take to upgrade a switchboard? Let’s walk through it—step-by-step, no jargon, no guesswork.
What Happens If You Delay a Switchboard Upgrade?
Before we get into timing, let’s talk about why the clock might already be ticking.
Old switchboards don’t just look dated—they’re carrying risks that most people don’t see until something goes wrong. We’re talking:
Circuit breakers tripping for no reason
Appliances shorting out
Strange burning smells near the fuse box
Or worse—a full-blown fire hazard
And here’s the kicker: a lot of insurance policies won’t cover electrical damage caused by non-compliant systems. If your board hasn’t been touched in 30 years and still has porcelain fuses, it’s not just out of date—it could be outside your coverage.
We’re not saying this to scare you. We’re saying it so you know: when a sparkie recommends an upgrade, it’s not about upselling. It’s about getting ahead of problems before they become emergencies.
What a Switchboard Upgrade Involves (Without the Jargon)
Let’s keep it simple: a switchboard upgrade replaces your old electrical heart with a safer, smarter, code-compliant version.
Here’s what that usually includes:
Swapping out old ceramic or outdated fuses
Installing modern safety switches (RCBOs)
Checking for asbestos panels (yes, they’re still around in older homes)
Reorganising the layout for better flow and clarity
Ensuring the earthing and main cables meet today’s standards
It’s not just plug-and-play. Your electrician will also run tests, check for faults, and make sure everything is neat, labelled, and ready for the long haul. And if your home has hidden surprises? That can change the timing—we’ll get to that in a second.
How Long Does It Really Take?
Alright, here’s the bit you came for:
Most residential switchboard upgrades take between 3 to 6 hours.
That’s a good ballpark for standard homes with decent access, no major rewiring needed, and a clean board to work with. If your switchboard’s easily accessible and your cabling is in decent shape, it can lean toward the quicker end.
But if the existing setup is a bit of a mess—old wiring, unexpected faults, or a cramped enclosure—it can stretch longer. Not massively, but enough that a full-day window is sometimes necessary.
The good news? Melbourne Wiring Services handles this regularly. We’ll let you know up front if we’re expecting a curveball—and we’ll keep you updated if anything changes on the day.
What to Expect on the Day
When your switchboard upgrade is scheduled, here’s roughly how the day will play out:
Your electrician will arrive in the morning with all the tools, parts, and testing gear ready to go.
Power to the home will be shut off temporarily—usually for 2 to 4 hours, depending on the complexity of the job.
While the switchboard is being upgraded, any necessary rewiring or fuse replacements will happen behind the scenes.
Once everything is wired in, your electrician will test all circuits, label them clearly, and ensure everything is fully compliant.
We recommend:
Keeping fridges closed
Turning off sensitive electronics before the appointment
Giving the electrician clear access to the switchboard (remove anything blocking it)
You don’t need to hover, but you’ll want to be nearby in case questions pop up.
Can It Be Done in One Visit?
For most homes in Melbourne—yes, it’s absolutely a one-visit job.
But there are a few scenarios where your electrician might schedule a second visit:
If your board contains asbestos, which needs safe removal
If major rewiring is required or existing cables don’t meet today’s standards
If your home needs meter upgrades coordinated with your energy provider
In these cases, Melbourne Wiring Services will keep you in the loop and help you plan accordingly. We’ll never leave you guessing—or worse, without power overnight.
Factors That Can Extend the Timeline
While most upgrades are done in half a day, there are cases where things can stretch out. Here’s what can push the clock:
Old or brittle wiring that needs replacing
Tight switchboard access—like boards hidden behind cupboards or squeezed into odd corners
Panels with asbestos, which must be handled carefully and legally
Hidden faults, like overheating or damaged earths, discovered during testing
Coordination with power providers, especially when meters or external components need adjusting
The key takeaway? These aren’t common in every job, but when they do come up, they’re always better discovered and fixed now than ignored for later.
Why Fast Doesn’t Mean Rushed
No one wants their sparkie dragging out a job, but fast doesn’t mean cutting corners.
A proper switchboard upgrade needs to meet the AS/NZS 3000 standard (aka the Australian Wiring Rules). That means solid connections, accurate circuit protection, clearly labelled switches, and complete safety testing.
At Melbourne Wiring Services, we’ve done hundreds of these upgrades. We move efficiently, not hastily. If we can safely finish in three hours, we will. If we need six to do it right, we’ll take that time—and you’ll know why.
Because a switchboard isn’t something you upgrade every few years. It should last you decades. And that starts with a proper job, done right the first time.
How Melbourne Wiring Services Makes It Smooth
The process might sound complex, but with the right team, it doesn’t have to feel like a disruption.
Melbourne Wiring Services has upgraded switchboards across the inner northwest suburbs—from Brunswick to Pascoe Vale and over to Taylors Lakes. We’ve seen every kind of board setup and know how to get the job done without dragging things out.
From the moment you get in touch, we’ll:
Inspect and assess your current setup
Provide a clear quote with no surprises
Schedule at a time that works for you
Bring the right gear to avoid delays
Leave the site clean, tested, and ready to go
Whether it’s a simple upgrade or one that needs a bit more elbow grease, you’ll know exactly what’s happening and why.
A Few Hours for Years of Peace of Mind
So, how long does it take to upgrade a switchboard?
For most homes, just half a day.
But those few hours give you years of protection against faults, against non-compliance, and bigger costs down the track. It’s a small job that protects every other electrical upgrade you’ve done—or will do—in your home.
If your board’s looking a little too vintage or your safety switches are nowhere in sight, don’t put it off.
Get in touch with Melbourne Wiring Services today to book a fast, clean, and compliant switchboard upgrade.