The fibro cottage question
Most of the original Brunswick Heads homes were built as modest holiday houses from the 1950s to the 1970s. They were cheap, quick and practical, and the wiring was usually basic. Owners today often find:
- A switchboard with ceramic fuses and no safety switches at all
- Circuits that don’t have an earth, or have lost it over time
- Extensions and sleep-outs wired off existing power circuits
- Old batten holders and fittings that have cracked from heat
- Kitchens running kettles, microwaves and fridges off one or two outlets
Fibro also needs care. Many homes from this period used sheeting that may contain asbestos. We won’t drill, cut or break it without confirming what it is and taking the right precautions. Where we can, we route new cabling through ceilings and underfloor spaces instead.
Where to start
For most Brunswick Heads cottages, the first priority is protection. Replacing an old fuse board with a modern switchboard and RCD protection on every circuit makes the biggest difference to safety for the money. From there, we can add power points where they’re needed and replace failing fittings.
If you’re not sure what shape the wiring is in, book an electrical safety inspection. We test the installation and give you a written list, ranked by priority.
Holiday rentals and permanent rentals
Brunswick Heads has a lot of rental housing, both holiday lets and long-term tenancies. Landlords have obligations under NSW rules, including smoke alarms. NSW requires at least one working smoke alarm on each level of a home, which is different from Queensland’s bedroom-by-bedroom rules. Landlords also have duties to check and maintain alarms. See our rental property electrical page for how we help owners and property managers.
On the river
With the Brunswick River and Simpsons Creek right through the village, and the ocean on the doorstep, salt and moisture are constant. Outdoor lights, power points and fans corrode quickly here. We use coastal-rated fittings and mount them where they’ll last. Some riverside properties were also affected by the 2022 floods, and anything that went under water should be tested before it is used.
Village shops and cafés
The small shopping strip and cafés near the river are busy through summer and school holidays. We look after lighting, extra circuits, test and tag and fault finding, and schedule around your trade. Quiet weekday mornings outside the holidays are usually the easiest time for bigger jobs.
Booking
We work under the appropriate NSW licence and issue a NSW Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work for every job. In summer we book in NSW daylight saving time. If you own the home but live elsewhere, we can arrange access with your agent or neighbour and send photos of the finished work.