Homes built in the 80s and 90s
Drive through Banora Point and you’ll see mostly brick and tile homes, many split-level to suit the slope, with double garages and a pool out the back. They were wired for the way families lived thirty or forty years ago. Since then, households have added air conditioners in every bedroom, bigger fridges and freezers, home offices, pool pumps and, more recently, electric cars.
The result is often a switchboard that is full, a main switch working harder than it used to, and one or two safety switches trying to cover everything. When one circuit trips, half the house goes out. A switchboard upgrade with individual RCBO protection fixes that and gives you room to add circuits later.
Getting ready for an EV or battery
We get a lot of questions from Banora Point owners who are thinking about an electric car or a home battery. The electrical questions are much the same either way:
- Is there enough spare capacity on the supply?
- Is there physical space in the switchboard for new circuits?
- How far is it from the board to the garage or battery location?
- Does anything in the existing wiring need fixing first?
We’ll answer those on a site visit, then quote the EV charger installation and any board work together, so there are no surprises halfway through.
Split-level layouts and smoke alarms
Split-level homes are the place where NSW smoke alarm rules catch people out. In NSW, the minimum is at least one working smoke alarm on each level, and a split-level home can count as more levels than you’d think. If you’ve moved from Queensland, you’ll also notice NSW doesn’t require the same bedroom-by-bedroom setup. We’ll walk the house with you, explain the minimum, and suggest where interconnected photoelectric alarms would give you better coverage. See our smoke alarm page for more.
Pools, outdoor areas and lighting
Backyards in Banora Point often have a pool, an entertaining area and garden beds on a slope. Typical jobs include:
- Replacing old pool equipment wiring and adding a dedicated outlet with RCD protection
- Weatherproof power points for the barbecue or outdoor kitchen
- Low-glare LED lighting for steps and retaining walls
- Sensor lights for driveways and side passages
Our outdoor and pool electrical page has more on what’s involved.
Renovations
A lot of Banora Point homes are being renovated rather than knocked down, often with a new kitchen or an opened-up living area. That’s the best time to sort the wiring, because walls and ceilings are open. If you’re planning a renovation, get us in early so the power, lighting and data layout is designed with the builder, not squeezed in afterwards. Our renovations page covers how we work with builders.
Close to home for us
Banora Point is only just over the border and a regular run from Mudgeeraba. Work here is done under the appropriate NSW licence and you’ll receive a NSW compliance certificate. During daylight saving, we book in NSW time.