Hourly rates and callout fees
Most Adelaide electricians work on a callout fee plus an hourly rate. Standard daytime work typically lands between $90 and $140 per hour, with a minimum charge of about one hour. After-hours, weekend and emergency work carries a premium on both.
A callout fee that sounds high isn't automatically bad value — it usually covers travel, diagnosis and the first period on site. What matters is whether you're told the number before anyone gets in the van.
Fixed prices for common jobs
Anything with a defined scope should be quoted fixed-price. Indicative 2026 ranges for the inner southern suburbs:
- Switchboard upgrade — $1,200 to $3,500 including RCDs, breakers, labelling and a compliance certificate
- Full house rewire, three-bedroom character home — $8,000 to $20,000
- Additional power point — $150 to $300
- LED downlight replacement — $60 to $120 per fitting
- Safety switch (RCD) added to an existing board — a few hundred dollars per device
- EV charger installation — $800 to $2,500 plus the charger
- Consumer mains replacement — $500 to $1,500 depending on run length and whether it's overhead or underground
What actually changes the price
- Age of the house. Pre-war homes cost more for the same job. Solid plaster, blocked cavities, low-pitched roofs and original cable all add time.
- Asbestos backing. Common behind pre-1980 switchboards. Needs licensed removal. Check it's in the quote, not a variation.
- Consumer mains condition. Often undersized or perished on older properties, and easy to leave out of a cheap quote.
- Access. A board in a hallway cupboard is quicker than one behind a built-in wardrobe.
- Whether the compliance certificate is included. It should be. A Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work is your proof the job was done to AS/NZS 3000.
Why the cheapest quote often isn't
Cheap quotes usually differ from expensive ones in what they exclude, not in the work performed. The common exclusions are consumer mains, asbestos removal, RCD protection on lighting circuits, circuit labelling and the compliance certificate. A quote much lower than the others is worth a second read rather than an instant yes.
Unlicensed work is the other false economy. In South Australia all fixed electrical work must be done by a licensed electrical worker, and non-compliant work will void your home insurance and has to be redone before you can sell.
Common questions
How much does an electrician cost per hour in Adelaide?
Roughly $90 to $140 per hour for standard daytime work, plus a callout fee, with a one-hour minimum. After-hours and emergency rates are higher.
Do electricians charge a callout fee in Adelaide?
Most do. It covers travel, diagnosis and the initial period on site. A reputable electrician tells you the figure on the phone before attending.
How much is a switchboard upgrade in Adelaide?
$1,200 to $3,500 for a typical domestic upgrade including RCDs, circuit breakers, labelling and a compliance certificate. Consumer mains replacement or asbestos backing removal add to it.
Is it cheaper to rewire a house room by room?
The total is higher if you stage it, because of repeat setup and access. But staging spreads the cost across financial years and lets you do the switchboard and power circuits first, which is where the safety benefit concentrates.
How can I check an electrician's price is fair?
Get the scope in writing, ask specifically whether consumer mains, asbestos removal, labelling and the compliance certificate are included, and check the PGE contractor licence number is displayed — South Australian law requires it in all advertising.
Prices above are indicative for the Adelaide inner south. For a fixed quote on your property, send us the details or call 0423 213 815.