Working on old buildings
Many of Bangalow’s homes and shops date back to the early twentieth century, and plenty were built in timber. The electrical systems have usually been updated in patches over the decades. When we open up a ceiling or switchboard here, it’s common to find several generations of wiring side by side.
Our approach in older buildings:
- We start with an inspection so we understand what’s there before quoting
- We run new cable through roof and underfloor spaces to avoid cutting into original linings where possible
- We choose switches and fittings that suit the style of the home when the owner wants that
- We treat old switchboard panels with care, as some contain asbestos
- We give you a clear written scope so you can plan work in stages
Main street shops and cafés
Bangalow’s main street is full of cafés, restaurants, boutiques and galleries in older buildings. These businesses often need more power than the building was ever designed for. We help with switchboard upgrades, extra circuits for kitchens and coffee machines, lighting for displays, and emergency and exit lighting testing. For food and drink venues, see our hospitality page.
The village is busiest on weekends and market days, so we plan commercial work for quieter times. Shop owners often lease rather than own, so we’re used to getting landlord approval and keeping records of what was changed. That makes life easier at the end of a lease or when the building is next inspected.
Acreage around the village
Beyond the village, the country is a mix of lifestyle acreage, former dairy land and macadamia farms, spread along the ridges towards Federal, Newrybar and St Helena. Common rural jobs include:
- Underground power to sheds, studios, stables and guest cottages
- Pumps for tanks, dams and irrigation
- Gate motors, driveway lighting and security lighting
- Sub-boards for large sheds and workshops
- Wiring alongside solar and battery systems
On larger properties, long cable runs need sizing for voltage drop under AS/NZS 3008. We plan trench routes with you so they avoid septic systems, tank lines and future building sites.
Guest cottages and farm stays
Many properties around Bangalow earn extra income from a guest cottage or farm stay. These need reliable power and safe, clear setups for people who don’t know the property. Interconnected smoke alarms, good outdoor lighting on paths and clearly labelled switchboards all help. NSW smoke alarm rules differ from Queensland’s, with a minimum of at least one working alarm on each level. We’ll recommend what suits your cottage.
Licence, paperwork and bookings
Work in Bangalow is done under the appropriate NSW licence, and you receive a NSW Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work. From October to April we confirm times in NSW daylight saving time, an hour ahead of the Gold Coast.