Frequently Asked Questions

Electrical pricing depends on the job — how much work is involved, the parts required and the condition of your existing wiring. Rather than guessing over the phone, we prefer to assess the work and then give you a clear, fixed price before anything starts, so the figure you are quoted is the figure you pay. During normal hours there is no call-out fee. Emergency and after-hours work is priced differently, and we always explain that upfront. You will never be surprised by the invoice.

We are a local Brisbane team, so for repairs and smaller jobs we can often attend on the same day, depending on how busy the schedule is and where you are located. Larger upgrades are usually quoted and booked in. For genuine electrical emergencies we run a 24/7 service and will do our best to prioritise the job. When you call, we will give you a realistic timeframe and keep you updated if anything changes.

Comma Electrical covers Greater Brisbane and the surrounding region — including the inner suburbs, Brisbane Northside and Southside, plus Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay and the Redlands. We are a local South East Queensland team and know the area well. If you are not sure whether your suburb is covered, give us a call or check our service area page and we will let you know straight away.

Yes. Comma Electrical holds a current Queensland electrical contractor licence, and every technician is a fully licensed electrician. We also carry public liability insurance, so the risk sits with us rather than with you, and our technicians are police-checked. Where required, we issue a Certificate of Testing and Compliance once the work is complete, giving you documented proof that the electrical work is safe and meets current standards.

During normal hours we do not charge a call-out fee to come to your home or business. We believe in honest, straightforward service, so you get a clear price for the actual work before we begin. Emergency and after-hours call-outs are priced differently because they are urgent and often outside normal hours — but we will always make that clear upfront so there are no surprises, whatever time you call.

It is simple. Call us on 1300 665 372 or fill in the quote form on our website with a few details about the job. A licensed electrician will get in touch to discuss what you need. If the work needs a closer look, we will arrange a site visit and give you a clear, upfront quote before any work begins. You only go ahead once you are happy with the price.

Yes. We stand behind the quality of our workmanship with our UWIN Guarantee. If something is not right with the work we have done, we will come back and put it right — no hassle and no shortcuts. Every completed job also comes with a free safety inspection. Our technicians are trained, licensed and insured, and we complete every job to current Australian standards.

Yes. Comma Electrical runs a genuine round-the-clock emergency service for homes and businesses across Brisbane. If you have lost power, notice a burning smell, see sparking outlets or have any urgent electrical hazard, you can call us at any hour — overnight, weekends and public holidays included. Our vans carry common parts on board, so in most cases we can make the fault safe and repair it on the same visit.

We aim for the fastest possible response across Brisbane and the surrounding suburbs. In most cases we can be with you within a couple of hours, depending on your location, the time of day and traffic. When you call, we will give you a realistic arrival window and keep you updated if anything changes. For genuine safety hazards we always do our best to prioritise the job and get a licensed electrician to you as soon as we can.

We run a genuine round-the-clock emergency service. You can call Comma Electrical at any hour — overnight, on weekends and on public holidays — and speak to a real person about your electrical emergency. Urgent faults like burning smells, sparking outlets or a complete loss of power do not keep business hours, so neither do we. After-hours work is charged differently to a standard daytime appointment, and we will always explain what that means before any work begins.

It depends on where the problem is. If the fault is outside your property — a street outage, damaged power lines or an issue on the network side of your meter — that is Energex's responsibility and you should contact them. If the problem is inside your home or business, such as a tripping switchboard, faulty wiring, dead outlets or a burning smell, you need a licensed electrician. If you are not sure which it is, call us and we will help you work out who should attend.

If it is safe to do so, switch the power off at the main switch on your switchboard, stay clear of any affected areas and keep water well away from electrical points. Do not touch exposed or damaged wires, and do not try to reset equipment that is sparking, smoking or smells like it is burning. If anything feels unsafe, leave it alone and wait for us. Your safety always comes first — when in doubt, call us and we will talk you through it.

Emergency and after-hours call-outs are priced differently to a standard daytime job because they are urgent and often outside normal hours. Once our electrician has inspected the fault on site, you will get a clear fixed price for the repair before any work starts, including any parts that are needed. We explain costs upfront so there are no surprises, and you can decide how you would like to proceed before we begin.

Yes. Every Comma Electrical technician is a fully licensed Queensland electrician and the business holds a current electrical contractor licence. We also carry public liability insurance, so the risk sits with us, not with you. On emergency work we still follow the same safety standards as any other job, and where required we issue a Certificate of Testing and Compliance once the work is done.

We cover the full range of home electrical work — power points, lighting, ceiling and exhaust fans, switchboard upgrades, safety switches, smoke alarms, fault finding and general repairs. We work on houses, apartments and older Queenslander homes, and we are happy to take on both small jobs and larger upgrades. If you are not sure whether something is in our scope, just call and describe what you need. We will let you know honestly whether we can help and how we would approach it.

In many cases, yes. We are a local Brisbane team, so we can often attend on the same day for repairs and smaller jobs, depending on how busy the schedule is and where you are located. Larger upgrades usually need to be quoted and booked in, but we will always give you a realistic timeframe when you call. If your situation is urgent or unsafe, let us know and we will do our best to prioritise it.

We give you a clear price before any work starts so you know exactly what you are agreeing to. The final cost depends on the job — how much work is involved, the parts required and the condition of your existing wiring. Rather than guessing over the phone, we prefer to assess the work properly and then quote it, so the price you are given is the price you pay. During normal hours there is no call-out fee.

Yes. In Queensland, electrical work must be carried out by a licensed electrician. It is illegal and genuinely dangerous for unlicensed people to do their own wiring, switchboard work or electrical repairs. A licensed electrician makes sure the work meets Australian Standards and is safe for your family, and where required can issue a Certificate of Testing and Compliance. Every Comma Electrical technician is a fully licensed Queensland electrician.

Yes — looking after your home is part of the job. We use drop sheets where needed, work carefully around your furniture and belongings, and clean up the work area before we leave. We treat your house with respect and aim to leave it as tidy as we found it. Plenty of our customers mention this in their reviews, and it is something we take seriously on every visit, big job or small.

Yes. We stand behind the quality of our workmanship. If something is not right with the work we have done, we will come back and put it right. Our technicians are trained, licensed and insured, and we complete every job to current standards. We would rather do the job properly the first time, but if an issue does come up, we want you to feel comfortable picking up the phone and letting us know.

We work with a wide range of commercial customers across Brisbane — offices, retail stores, warehouses, restaurants, medical centres and similar premises. Our customers include business owners, facility managers and builders. Every job is planned around the specific space and how it is used, so whether you run a small shopfront or manage a larger facility, we can scale the work to suit. If you are unsure whether your premises fits, call us and describe the site.

Yes. We know that electrical work during business hours can disrupt customers and staff, so we are happy to plan jobs around your trading times where possible — including early mornings, evenings or quieter periods. When we quote the work, let us know your preferred timing and any constraints, and we will build the schedule around keeping your business running. After-hours work is priced accordingly, and we will make that clear before we begin.

Yes. Preventative maintenance plans are one of the best ways to avoid unexpected downtime. We carry out regular checks of your electrical systems, pick up small faults early and keep your equipment performing well. This reduces the chance of a sudden failure interrupting trade, helps you stay compliant and can save money over time. We can tailor a maintenance schedule to suit the size of your premises and how heavily your systems are used.

Yes. We can test and tag your portable electrical equipment and provide clear records, helping you meet workplace electrical safety obligations. Regular testing and tagging identifies damaged or unsafe appliances before they become a hazard to staff or customers. We can carry this out as a one-off or as part of an ongoing maintenance arrangement, and we will give you straightforward documentation you can keep on file.

Commercial jobs vary widely, so we prefer to assess the work properly before quoting. The price depends on the scope, the size of the site, access, materials and timing. Once we understand what is involved, we provide a clear quote so you can budget with confidence. For larger projects or fitouts we can break the work into stages. We explain costs upfront and keep you informed if anything changes during the job.

Yes. We offer 24/7 emergency electrical response for businesses as well as homes. If your premises loses power, a switchboard faults or you have an urgent electrical hazard, call us and we will respond as quickly as we can. Fast response matters even more for a business, where downtime directly affects trade, so we prioritise getting a licensed electrician on site to make the situation safe and get you back up and running.

For most Brisbane homes, an inverter split system is a strong choice — it cools efficiently and suits single rooms or open-plan living areas. Ducted air conditioning is worth considering if you want consistent cooling across a whole home. Brisbane's hot, humid summers mean your system works hard, so energy efficiency really matters. We talk through your home, how you use each space and your budget, then recommend a system and capacity that will be comfortable and sensible to run.

As a general guide, having your air conditioner serviced once a year keeps it running efficiently and helps it last longer. Regular servicing includes cleaning filters, checking the system and picking up small issues before they become bigger faults. In Brisbane's climate, where air conditioners run hard through summer, an annual service before the warmer months is a good habit. If your system is cooling poorly, running noisily or using more power than usual, it is worth booking a service sooner.

Yes. We install energy-efficient split systems as well as ducted air conditioning solutions for whole-home comfort. Split systems are popular for cooling specific rooms and are usually quicker to install, while ducted systems provide even cooling across multiple areas. We will look at your home, your cooling needs and your budget, then recommend the option that makes the most sense. Whichever you choose, our licensed team installs it safely and to standard.

In Brisbane's climate, air conditioning can account for a large share of your home's energy use during the peak summer months. A more efficient system — particularly one with inverter technology and a higher energy star rating — uses less power to keep you comfortable, which means lower running costs over the life of the unit. The more efficient option sometimes costs a little more upfront, but the savings add up. We help you find the right balance of efficiency, performance and budget.

Yes. As well as Brisbane, we provide air conditioning installation, repairs and servicing across Logan and Ipswich, and we cover Moreton Bay and the Redlands. We are a local Southeast Queensland team and know the climate well. If you are not sure whether your suburb is covered, give us a call or check our service area page, and we will let you know straight away whether we can help.

Yes. If your air conditioner is not cooling properly, leaking, making unusual noises or has stopped altogether, our technicians can diagnose the fault and advise on the best fix. In some cases a repair is the sensible option; in others, especially with older units, replacement may be more cost-effective in the long run. We will give you an honest assessment and a clear price so you can decide what works best for you.

There are a few common warning signs. If your board still uses ceramic or porcelain fuses, it is well overdue for an upgrade. Frequent tripping, a board that struggles with modern appliances, or a home built before the 1990s are all good reasons to have it assessed. You should also upgrade before adding heavy loads like ducted air conditioning or an EV charger. If you are unsure, we can inspect your switchboard and give you honest advice on whether an upgrade is needed.

Most residential switchboard upgrades are completed in a single visit. The exact time depends on the size of your home, how many circuits you have and the condition of your existing wiring. Your power will be off for part of the day while we carry out the work, and we will let you know the expected timeframe before we start. If we find hidden faults during testing, we will keep you informed and get your approval before doing any additional work.

There is no law that forces you to upgrade simply because your board is old, but Queensland regulations do require safety switches on power and lighting circuits, and any electrical work carried out must meet current standards. In practice, if your board uses ceramic fuses or lacks safety switches, an upgrade is strongly recommended on safety grounds. When we upgrade your board we bring it up to current standards and provide a Certificate of Compliance for the work.

They do different jobs. A circuit breaker protects the wiring from overload and short circuits — it trips when a circuit draws too much current. A safety switch, or RCD, protects people: it detects when electricity is leaking to earth, such as through a person receiving a shock, and cuts the power within a fraction of a second. A modern switchboard uses both. When we upgrade your board, we make sure the right protection is in place on each circuit.

Every home is different, so the cost varies. It depends on the size of your home and the number of circuits, the condition of your current wiring, where the board is located, any extra safety upgrades needed and your future power needs. Because of this, we provide quotes after inspecting your switchboard in person rather than guessing over the phone. Once we have assessed it, you get a clear, fixed price with no hidden costs or unexpected add-ons.

A switchboard upgrade is an important safety job, and guessing the price without seeing your system can lead to inaccurate quotes, missed safety issues and delays during installation. By inspecting your switchboard in person, our electrician can see the real condition of your wiring and board, identify anything that needs attention and give you a quote you can rely on. It means the price you are given is based on your actual home, not an estimate.

A safety switch trips because it has detected a problem — that is its job. The most common causes are a faulty appliance leaking current to earth, moisture getting into wiring or outlets, an overloaded circuit, or a fault in the wiring itself. Sometimes it is a single appliance; other times it points to a deeper issue. Repeated tripping should never be ignored or worked around. Our electricians can test your circuits, find the source of the problem and fix it properly so the switch only trips when it genuinely needs to.

Queensland requirements call for safety switches on power and lighting circuits, and best practice is to have RCD protection across all of your home's final sub-circuits. Older homes were sometimes fitted with only one safety switch, or none at all. The right number for your home depends on how your switchboard is set up and how many circuits you have. We can inspect your board and advise on what protection you currently have and what should be added to bring it up to standard.

A safety switch (RCD) protects people. It detects electricity leaking to earth — such as through someone receiving a shock — and cuts the power almost instantly. A circuit breaker protects the wiring by tripping when a circuit is overloaded or short-circuits. They are not interchangeable, and a safe modern switchboard uses both. If your board only has fuses or circuit breakers and no safety switches, your home is missing an important layer of personal protection.

In some cases, yes — it depends on the condition and layout of your existing switchboard. If your board has space and is in good order, we may be able to add safety switches on their own. If the board is old, full or fitted with ceramic fuses, it usually makes more sense to upgrade the whole board so everything is brought up to standard together. We will inspect your switchboard and give you honest advice on the best option for your home.

For straightforward jobs we can often provide same-day service across many Brisbane suburbs, depending on the schedule and your location. Installing a safety switch on an existing, well-maintained board is usually a quick job. If the work is part of a larger switchboard upgrade it will take longer and is generally booked in. When you call, we will give you a realistic timeframe, and if your situation involves a safety concern we will do our best to prioritise it.

Yes. Where required, we provide a Certificate of Testing and Compliance once the work is complete, confirming that the electrical work meets Queensland requirements. This is part of doing the job properly and gives you documented proof that the installation is safe and compliant. Our technicians are fully licensed Queensland electricians, and every job is tested before we leave to confirm the protection is working as it should.

Queensland's smoke alarm legislation requires homes to have interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms, with alarms in every bedroom, in hallways connecting bedrooms, and on each level of the home. The requirements apply most immediately to homes being sold or leased, and ultimately to all homes. If your current alarms are old, are not photoelectric, or are not interconnected, an upgrade will be needed. We can assess your home and tell you exactly what is required to make it compliant.

It depends on the layout of your home. Under the Queensland requirements you need a photoelectric smoke alarm in every bedroom, in hallways that connect bedrooms to the rest of the house, and on each storey of the home — even where there are no bedrooms on that level. All of the alarms must be interconnected. The exact number comes down to how many bedrooms and levels your home has. We will assess your home and confirm the number and placement needed.

Photoelectric and ionisation alarms detect smoke in different ways. Photoelectric alarms are better at detecting the larger smoke particles produced by smouldering fires, which are the most common type of dangerous house fire. Queensland's legislation specifically requires photoelectric smoke alarms for this reason. If your home still has older ionisation alarms, they will need to be replaced with compliant photoelectric units as part of bringing the home up to standard.

Landlords in Queensland must ensure rental properties meet the smoke alarm requirements, including interconnected photoelectric alarms installed in the required locations, and must make sure alarms are tested and maintained. The obligations apply at the start of a tenancy and when leases are renewed. We can upgrade a rental property to compliant alarms and provide documentation of the work. We are happy to coordinate with property managers and work to settlement or tenancy timeframes.

Yes. As well as installing new alarms, we test and service existing smoke alarm systems. Servicing includes checking each alarm, testing the sound and sensors, replacing faulty units and confirming the system is working as it should. Regular testing keeps your alarms reliable and is particularly important for rental properties. We can carry this out as a one-off or as an ongoing arrangement so your alarms stay in good working order.

For most homes, installing a compliant interconnected smoke alarm system is completed in a single visit. The time depends on the size of your home, the number of alarms required and your existing wiring. We supply the approved alarms, install and interconnect them, test the full system and confirm the work is done correctly before we leave. We will give you a realistic timeframe when you book, and same-day service is available in many areas.

Yes. Adding extra power points to an existing room is one of our most common jobs. Whether you are setting up a home office, renovating a kitchen, or simply tired of relying on power boards and extension leads, we can install additional outlets where you need them. We will look at the room and your existing circuits, recommend the best locations, and install the new points neatly and to standard. Where needed we will advise if the circuit needs any attention first.

A dead power point can have several causes — a tripped circuit, a loose or damaged connection, a worn-out outlet, or a fault further back in the wiring. Sometimes only one outlet is affected; other times a whole circuit is involved. A power point that is discoloured, warm, sparking or buzzing should be looked at promptly, as these can be signs of a more serious fault. Our electricians can diagnose the cause, repair or replace the outlet and make sure the circuit is safe.

Yes — a power point that is discoloured, scorched, warm to the touch, sparking or buzzing should be replaced and the circuit checked. These are warning signs of a loose connection or overheating, which can be a fire risk. It is not something to put off or work around. Stop using the outlet and have it inspected by a licensed electrician. We can replace the faulty point and check the surrounding wiring to make sure there is no underlying problem.

Yes. We install outdoor power points using weatherproof outlets designed to handle Brisbane's weather. Outdoor power is handy for entertaining areas, sheds, garden equipment, pool areas and more. Outdoor electrical work must be installed correctly to stay safe in wet conditions, so it is important to use a licensed electrician rather than fitting a standard indoor outlet outside. We will recommend the right type of outlet and install it safely and to standard.

Installing a single new power point is usually a quick job and can often be done in the same visit, particularly if it is being added near an existing circuit. The time depends on the location, how far the new point is from the supply, and whether any wiring needs to be run through walls or ceilings. When you call, describe what you need and where, and we will give you a realistic idea of the time and a clear price before we start.

During normal hours we do not charge a call-out fee. We know that smaller jobs such as a single power point still matter, and we are happy to take them on. You will be given a clear price for the work before we begin, so you know exactly what to expect. After-hours and emergency work is priced differently, and we will always make that clear upfront if your job falls outside normal hours.

Yes. EV charger installation is electrical work and must be carried out by a licensed electrician. EV chargers draw a significant, sustained load — far more than a standard appliance — so the installation has to be done correctly and safely, including making sure your switchboard and wiring can handle it. A licensed electrician ensures the work meets Australian electrical standards and that your charger operates safely and reliably. Every Comma Electrical technician is a fully licensed Queensland electrician.

Yes. Our electricians are experienced installing Tesla Wall Connectors, configured to deliver fast, reliable charging for your Tesla. We also install smart chargers and universal chargers that are compatible with other electric vehicle brands including BYD, Hyundai, Kia and MG. When you contact us, let us know your vehicle and the charger you have or are considering, and we will advise on the best installation approach for your home or workplace.

Not every switchboard can safely support an EV charger without modification. EV chargers can draw a substantial load, and older or fully loaded boards may need an upgrade first. As part of the installation, our electrician assesses your switchboard and electrical system to confirm it can handle the additional demand safely. If an upgrade is needed, we will explain why and give you a clear price. This check is an important part of a safe, compliant installation.

Charging from a standard power outlet works but is slow — it can take a long time to add meaningful range. A Level 2 EV charger is a dedicated charging unit that charges your vehicle significantly faster, which is why it is the most popular option for home EV owners. A dedicated charger is also safer for the sustained loads involved. We can help you choose the right charger for your vehicle and how you drive.

Yes. As well as home installations, we install EV charging stations for offices, apartment buildings, retail centres and workplace car parks across Brisbane. Commercial EV charging needs careful planning around the site's electrical capacity, the number of charging points and how they will be used. We can assess your premises, recommend a suitable setup and install it to standard. Get in touch with the details of your site and we will talk through the options.

A typical home EV charger installation is often completed in a single visit. The time depends on where the charger is being mounted, how far it is from your switchboard, the wiring run involved and whether any switchboard work is needed first. After assessing your property we will give you a clear timeframe and price before starting. Our process is straightforward — we assess, help you select the charger, install it and test it before completing the job.