IN THIS ARTICLE
Not every electrical upgrade is urgent. But some are genuinely worth doing — for safety, for day-to-day convenience, or because they add real value when it comes time to sell.
Here are the four we recommend most often to Auckland homeowners, and how to decide when each one makes sense for your property.
1. Switchboard upgrade
Who needs it: Homes built before the 1990s, homes with ceramic fuses, homes planning any significant new electrical work.
An outdated switchboard is the single most common limitation we find when working on older Auckland homes. Ceramic fuses don’t provide RCD protection, can’t be sized accurately, and make it impossible to safely add new circuits for heat pumps, EV chargers, or additional power points.
A modern switchboard with circuit breakers and RCD protection costs $2,000–$3,500 installed, takes one day, and comes with a Certificate of Compliance. It’s also often a prerequisite for home insurance compliance and for selling the property without flagging electrical concerns to buyers.
If you’re planning any other upgrade on this list, check your switchboard first. It may need upgrading before anything else can proceed safely.
2. LED lighting upgrade
Who needs it: Homes with halogen downlights, older fluorescent lighting, or high electricity bills from lighting.
Halogen downlights — still common in Auckland homes built between the 1990s and early 2010s — draw 50W each. A home with 20 downlights running 4 hours a day is spending around $350–$500 per year just on lighting. The same home with LED downlights spends around $80–$120.
LED replacement fittings cost $900–$1,800 installed for a full house, and typically pay for themselves within 3–4 years in power savings alone. The fittings also last 15–20 years versus 1–2 years for halogens.
If you’re renovating any room, include LED downlights in the scope — the labour cost per fitting drops considerably when an electrician is already on site.
3. EV charger installation
Who needs it: Anyone who owns or is planning to buy an electric vehicle.
Charging from a standard 10A wall socket works, but it’s slow — around 10–15km of range per hour. A dedicated 32A EV charger adds 40–80km per hour, meaning a full charge overnight rather than over two days.
Installation costs $800–$2,000 for a straightforward job with a modern switchboard, and requires a licensed electrician and Certificate of Compliance. If your switchboard needs upgrading first, factor that into the budget.
4. Additional power points
Who needs it: Anyone relying on extension leads, power boards, or adaptors on a permanent basis.
Extension cords and power boards are designed for temporary use. Running them permanently puts sustained load on circuits that weren’t designed for it and creates trip hazards.
Adding a dedicated power point costs $150–$350 per point installed, depending on cable run length and wall construction. An electrician can usually complete several in a single visit.
If you’re doing any other work from this list at the same time, add extra power points to the same job — the call-out cost is already covered.
Which upgrade should you do first?
The honest answer depends on your home. As a general guide:
- If you have ceramic fuses — switchboard first, before anything else
- If you have halogen downlights and a high power bill — LED upgrade is the fastest payback
- If you own or are buying an EV — EV charger before you need it, not after
- If you’re using extension leads permanently — power points as a quick win
A licensed electrician can assess your home and tell you exactly what’s needed and in what order. We’re happy to do this as part of a free quote visit.
Not sure where to start?
