These are our typical Sydney prices for standard jobs, in Australian dollars and including GST. Complex jobs can fall outside them, so your written quote confirms the scope, equipment, labour and exclusions before work starts.
Prices and what they cover
| Work | Typical price (inc. GST) | Inclusions and limits |
|---|---|---|
| Home switchboard upgrade | $1,500–$3,000 | Typical residential upgrade. This is not a ceiling: extra circuits, defects, asbestos or supply work can take a job outside this range. |
| Safety switch on a circuit | $200–$400 | A suitable existing board and standard installation; a board replacement is a separate job. |
Get a price for your property.
Tell us about the work, your location and the equipment involved.
A worked example
Making room for a new appliance
The $1,500–$3,000 residential range can help plan a straightforward board upgrade. Ask the quote to identify the circuit protection and testing included. If the appliance also needs a new circuit or the incoming supply needs alteration, those are additional scopes; replacing the board alone does not increase the supply capacity.
What changes the cost?
Circuit count and protection
More circuits mean more protection devices, testing and labelling. Compare how many circuits the quote includes and the device types.
Conditions behind the board
Old backing materials, damaged wiring, poor earthing or a crowded enclosure can expand the job. A photo helps with planning but does not replace inspection.
Before you arrange the work
Signs to arrange an assessment
Repeated tripping, heat damage, burning smells, old fuses or no room for a planned appliance warrant an assessment. Age alone does not determine the exact work needed.
Upgrade versus supply work
Replacing a switchboard is different from changing the network supply or consumer mains. Level 2 work is outside Xcel’s offered scope and must be arranged separately if needed.
How to use these prices
We last checked these prices on 21 October 2026. They include GST and describe typical jobs; they aren’t an upper limit for complex work. When you compare quotes, check that each one covers the same scope, equipment and exclusions.
For the work included in Xcel’s service, see switchboard upgrades.
Common questions
Does adding a safety switch require a new board?
Not always. Space, condition and compatibility decide whether the existing board can accommodate suitable protection.
Is three-phase supply included?
No. A switchboard quote should state the existing supply and any separate network work. Do not assume a board upgrade adds supply capacity.
What should a switchboard quote include?
Look for the enclosure and protection devices, circuit count, isolation, testing, labelling and applicable compliance paperwork. It should also say whether defects, asbestos handling or supply work are excluded.
