Frequently asked questions

Thomas Blake Electrical is based in Morningside and covers south-east Brisbane. We service all areas of Brisbane but concentrate on the south-east, broadly from South Brisbane out to Loganholme and across to Cleveland — including Bulimba, Carindale, Camp Hill, Coorparoo, Cleveland, Wynnum and the bayside suburbs. If you are not sure whether your street is in our usual run, give us a call and we will let you know.

Yes. Thomas Blake Electrical is a licensed electrical contractor — our Electrical Contractor Number is 77145. All work is carried out in accordance with the Australian wiring standard, AS/NZS 3000, so you can be confident it is done correctly and safely.

We work to a fixed quote wherever possible so there are no nasty surprises, and you receive an itemised bill for full transparency. For straightforward jobs we can often estimate over the phone once you describe the work; for larger jobs we will quote in detail before starting so you can decide with confidence.

We aim to respond promptly. For urgent faults — power that keeps tripping, a dead section of the property or no hot water — we will do our best to get to you quickly. For non-urgent work we will book a time that suits you. Calling earlier in the day gives us the best chance of fitting you in sooner.

Yes. We provide affordable electrical repairs and maintenance for residents and businesses across South East Brisbane, and we handle electrical installations on new buildings, renovations and general maintenance. No job is too big or too small.

Our work spans electrical maintenance, LED and energy-saving lighting, test and tag, hot water systems, smoke alarms, safety switches, security and sensor lighting, retail shop electrical, kitchen electrical and renovation work. If you are not sure whether something is in our scope, ask us and we will point you in the right direction.

Yes. Every job is carried out in accordance with the Australian wiring standard, AS/NZS 3000. We take pride in the quality of our work and use quality parts and materials so the result has a long, reliable life.

The easiest way is to call us on 0400 128 869 or send an enquiry through the contact form on this site. Tell us a little about the work and your suburb, and we will get back to you to arrange a quote or, for simple jobs, give you an estimate.

Yes. Thomas Blake Electrical is based in Morningside and covers the south-east Brisbane suburbs, broadly from South Brisbane out to Loganholme and across to Cleveland. That includes Bulimba, Carindale, Camp Hill, Coorparoo, Cleveland and the surrounding bayside areas. If you are unsure whether your street is in our usual run, give us a call and we will let you know — we travel where we are needed.

Most maintenance jobs are quoted upfront so you know the cost before we start. For straightforward repairs we can often give an estimate over the phone once you describe the problem. We work to a fixed quote wherever possible to avoid nasty surprises, and you receive an itemised bill so you can see exactly what the work involved.

Yes. No job is too big or too small. A single dead power point, a flickering light, a tripping circuit or a full switchboard upgrade are all everyday work for us. If a small repair uncovers a larger underlying issue, we will explain what we have found and give you the options rather than pressing ahead without your say-so.

We aim to respond promptly, and for urgent faults — a circuit that keeps tripping or a dead section of the house — we will do our best to get to you quickly. For non-urgent maintenance we will book a time that suits you. Calling earlier in the day gives us the best chance of fitting you in sooner.

Every job we complete is carried out in accordance with the Australian wiring standard, AS/NZS 3000. We are a licensed electrical contractor, so the work is done correctly and safely. If your maintenance work involves anything that should be certified, we will make sure the right paperwork is provided.

Not always. For exterior work, switchboard access or jobs where we can be let in and locked up afterwards, many customers prefer to leave us to it. For anything inside the home we will agree access with you beforehand. Either way, we treat your property with care and tidy up before we leave.

LED lighting reduces power use significantly compared with halogen and incandescent globes, and the long lifespan — many times that of older technology — means far fewer replacements. The exact saving depends on how many lights you run and for how long, so we will talk through your situation and give you a realistic picture rather than an inflated promise before you commit.

Yes, this is one of our most common jobs. Older halogen downlights run hot and use a lot of power, so swapping them for LED fittings is a quick, worthwhile upgrade. We will check the existing wiring and transformers, recommend the right LED fittings for each room and make sure everything is installed safely.

Many LEDs are dimmable, but not all, and older dimmers are not always compatible with LED fittings. If you want dimming, let us know and we will supply dimmable LED fittings and, where needed, a compatible dimmer so you get smooth, flicker-free control.

Yes. We work with home and business owners across Brisbane regardless of the size or preferences of the job. For commercial spaces we can plan lighting that meets the way the space is used while keeping running costs down, and we work around your trading hours where we can.

Flickering LEDs are usually caused by an incompatible dimmer, a loose connection or a low-quality fitting. We can diagnose the cause and put it right, whether that means replacing the fitting, correcting the wiring or fitting a compatible dimmer. It is worth fixing rather than living with — flickering often points to something worth checking.

Quality LED lighting has a much longer rated lifespan than halogen or incandescent globes, which is a large part of why it saves money over time. We only fit quality parts and materials, so the lighting we install is built to give a long life and steady performance.

Testing intervals depend on the type of work the equipment is used for. Construction and demolition sites follow AS/NZS 3012, while manufacturing, service, office, amusement and rural work is covered by the Electrical Safety Regulation, with further guidance in AS/NZS 3760. We will help you work out the right interval for your workplace and equipment.

Only a person appointed as competent by their employer can test and tag electrical equipment. Competence comes from a combination of training, experience and qualifications. Our team is qualified to carry out this work, so engaging us takes that responsibility off your plate and gives you confidence the testing has been done correctly.

Test and tag applies across many workplaces — offices, construction sites, manufacturing, service businesses, hospitality and more. If your business uses portable electrical equipment, there is very likely a testing obligation attached to it. If you are unsure what applies to you, give us a call and we will talk it through.

Yes. We are based in Morningside and cover south-east Brisbane, so we can come to your premises across the inner south-east and bayside suburbs. For sites a little further out, get in touch and we will let you know — we travel where we are needed.

Yes. Each item we test is tagged, and you receive records of the testing so you can demonstrate the work has been done if asked. Keeping clear records is part of staying compliant, so we make sure you have what you need.

We can. Because testing is done at intervals rather than once, it helps to have the next round booked in. Let us know your preferred arrangement and we can keep your testing on track so equipment does not slip out of date.

A loss of hot water often comes down to an electrical fault — a tripped circuit, a failed element or thermostat, or a wiring issue at the unit. We will test the system, identify the cause and explain whether a repair will fix it or whether the unit is better replaced. We will give you the honest options rather than pushing the most expensive one.

Yes. If your system has reached the end of its life or repairs no longer make sense, we can handle the changeover and the electrical connection. We will help you choose a system that suits the size of your household or business so you are not paying to heat more water than you need.

Yes. Hot water problems hit businesses hard — particularly in hospitality and real estate, where a lack of hot water causes real disruption and lost custom. We handle hot water electrical work for both homes and commercial premises, and we will work around your trading where we can.

No hot water is a job we treat as a priority because of how much it disrupts a household or business. Call us and we will do our best to get to you quickly. Calling earlier in the day gives us the best chance of fitting you in the same day.

We quote the work upfront wherever possible so you know the cost before we proceed. Once we have diagnosed the fault we will explain what is involved and what it will cost, and you will receive an itemised bill. If a repair is not worthwhile, we will tell you honestly rather than charging for a fix that will not last.

We handle the electrical side of hot water systems — the wiring, circuits, elements and connections that an electrician is licensed to work on. If your fault turns out to be plumbing-related, we will let you know so you can get the right trade onto it rather than leaving you guessing.

Since 1 January 2017, new and substantially renovated homes must have hard-wired, interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms. Since 1 January 2022 the same requirement applies to homes being leased or sold, and from 1 January 2027 it extends to all domestic dwellings. We can assess your home against these requirements and install alarms that meet them.

Smoke alarms must be replaced every ten years, even if they appear to be working. The detection element degrades over time, so an old alarm cannot be relied on. If you are not sure how old your alarms are, we can check the date on them and replace any that are due.

Interconnected alarms all sound together, so an alarm triggered at one end of the house wakes everyone — which matters most at night. When you are asleep your sense of smell is reduced, so early, loud warning is critical. Photoelectric alarms are the type specified for Queensland homes, and that is what we install.

Yes. We install interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms in houses, apartments and business premises. The placement and number of alarms depends on the layout, and we will make sure your property is properly covered.

We are based in Morningside and cover south-east Brisbane, including the inner south-east and bayside suburbs. If you are arranging smoke alarm work for a property in the area — including a rental being prepared for lease or sale — get in touch and we will confirm we can help.

Yes. Homes being sold or leased must meet the interconnected photoelectric smoke alarm requirement. We can assess the property, install or upgrade the alarms and make sure it meets the legislation so that side of the sale or lease is taken care of.

A safety switch monitors the flow of electricity and cuts the power almost instantly if it detects a fault — for example, current leaking to earth through a person. That speed is what protects against serious electric shock. It is a different device from a fuse or circuit breaker, which protect the wiring rather than people.

One safety switch used to be considered enough, but the rules have changed — all circuits should now be on a safety switch, including power circuits, lighting circuits, ovens and air-conditioners. Many older homes only have partial protection, so it is worth having yours checked.

The clearest way is to have us check your switchboard. Older boards often protect only some circuits, leaving lighting or fixed appliances unprotected. We can inspect the board, tell you what is and is not covered, and recommend what is needed to bring it up to date.

Yes. Safety switches should be tested regularly to confirm they still trip correctly, and we can test yours as part of a safety check. If a switch is faulty or slow to trip, we will repair or replace it so you can rely on it.

In most cases, yes. Bringing an older switchboard up to date often means a switchboard upgrade so that safety switches can be fitted across all circuits. We will inspect the board, explain what is involved and quote the work before we start.

Electric shock is preventable, and a properly protected switchboard is the single biggest safeguard. If your home or business has older wiring or only partial protection, a check gives you a clear picture. Call us and we will book a time to make sure your property is safe.

Sensor lighting turns on automatically when movement is detected, which removes the cover of darkness an intruder relies on and draws attention to anyone approaching. A property that lights up as someone nears it is a far less appealing target, so sensor lighting is a low-cost, practical security measure.

Often, yes. If you already have outdoor lights in good positions, we can fit movement sensors to them so they switch on automatically rather than being left on or operated manually. We will check the existing fittings and let you know what is possible.

The most useful positions are entries, paths, driveways, gates and any dark corners around the property. We will look at the layout of your home or business and recommend placements that cover the approaches without lighting up areas where it is not needed.

Yes. Sensor lights can usually be adjusted for how far they detect movement and how long they stay on once triggered. We will set them up to suit your property and can fine-tune the range and timing so the lighting behaves the way you want.

Yes. Businesses benefit from sensor and security lighting just as homes do — it helps protect premises after hours and makes the property safer for staff arriving or leaving in the dark. We install security and sensor lighting for both homes and businesses.

We are based in Morningside and cover south-east Brisbane, including the inner south-east suburbs and out to the bayside. If you would like security or sensor lighting installed, get in touch and we will confirm we can reach you and book a time.

We service retail shops of all kinds — from cafes to shoe shops and everything in between. The electrical needs of a small retail business vary widely, so we approach each one on its own terms. Whatever your shop needs done, get in touch and we will talk through how we can help.

Yes, wherever possible. We know that closing the shop or disrupting customers costs you money, so we will plan the work to limit the impact — including starting early, working in stages or scheduling around quieter periods. Tell us how your business runs and we will fit in around it.

Yes. Whether you are fitting out a new space or renovating an existing one, we handle the electrical side — power, lighting, air-conditioning connections and more. We are used to working alongside other trades to keep a fit-out moving so you can open on time.

Yes. Fault detection is part of what we do. If something in your shop is not working — a dead circuit, tripping power or a lighting fault — we will track down the cause and put it right, and explain what was wrong so you understand the fix.

We handle the electrical side of air-conditioning installation and all forms of retail and display lighting. Good lighting makes a real difference to how a shop presents, and we can help you plan and install lighting that suits the space and the products.

We quote the work upfront so you can budget with confidence, and you receive an itemised bill so the costs are transparent. For larger jobs we will walk you through the quote in detail. Get in touch with what your shop needs and we will put a quote together.

Kitchen jobs typically run across two site visits. On the first we disconnect all points in the kitchen or where cabinetry is to be installed and run any new or relocated wiring. On the second, once the cabinetry is in, we reconnect switches, power points, ovens and cooktops, install any new LED lighting and update or add safety switches where needed.

Yes — we have worked with kitchen companies and cabinet makers for years, so we are used to coordinating with them. We maintain close relationships with all the trades involved to get the job completed as promptly as possible and to a high standard, which keeps your kitchen project on track.

Yes. A new kitchen layout almost always means moving electrical points to new positions. On the first visit we disconnect the existing points and run wiring to where the new layout needs them, so everything lines up with the cabinetry and appliances once they go in.

Yes. We install new LED lighting as part of kitchen work, including under-cabinet lighting that lifts both the look and the practicality of the space. We can talk through lighting options so the kitchen is well lit where it matters, such as over benches and the cooktop.

Yes. We are flexible with dates and times to suit your needs and the schedule of the other trades on the job. Kitchen projects depend on good timing between trades, so we coordinate closely and are punctual and efficient with the time we are on site.

Yes. On the second visit we reconnect ovens, cooktops, switches and power points once the cabinetry is installed. These are fixed appliances that must be connected correctly and safely, and that is licensed electrical work we handle as part of the kitchen job.

Renovations expose and rely on the electrical system in ways everyday repairs do not — new layouts, added circuits, upgraded supply and modern fittings all have to work together. An experienced renovation electrician plans this properly so the work runs smoothly, meets standards and supports the way you will actually use the renovated space.

It varies, but common work includes power point installation and relocation, switchboard upgrades, ceiling and exhaust fans, LED downlights, house rewiring, appliance and data cabling, and smoke alarm installation. We will walk through your plans and identify what the renovation needs so nothing is missed.

Yes. A renovation is the ideal time to deal with aged wiring, because walls and ceilings are often already open. We can replace obsolete wiring and update old hardware so the renovated home is safe and reliable, not just freshly painted over older problems.

Yes. If you want to add smart home technology as part of your renovation, we can take care of the electrical work behind it. We will talk through what you are hoping to achieve so the wiring and fittings support it properly.

Yes, and it is often worth doing. Older switchboards may not have capacity for added circuits or proper safety switch protection. A switchboard upgrade during the renovation makes sure your home's electrical distribution is up to date, safe and ready for the extra demand.

Yes. Renovations depend on trades working in the right order, and we are used to coordinating with builders and other trades to keep the job moving. Good timing on the electrical work — first fix while walls are open, second fix once linings are in — keeps your renovation on schedule.