Switchboard upgrade price ranges
| Scope | Typical Adelaide range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Add RCD protection to an existing board | $250 to $500 per RCD | Only if the board has the space and is otherwise sound |
| Replace a small residential board (ceramic fuses to breakers and RCDs) | $1,200 to $2,200 | Most 1950s to 70s homes |
| Replace a larger residential board | $2,000 to $3,500+ | More circuits, larger enclosure, relocation |
| Asbestos backing panel removal | add $200 to $500 | Licensed handling and disposal to the regulations |
| New consumer mains | add $800 to $2,500 | Depends on route and length; may need SA Power Networks |
| Upgrade to 3-phase supply | $2,500 to $6,000+ | Subject to street supply and network requirements |
| Commercial or industrial main switchboard | quoted on scope | Load, submains, metering, shutdown planning |
What's in a residential upgrade
- A new enclosure.
- A main switch, circuit breakers on every circuit, and RCD protection on every final subcircuit.
- Labelling that matches the circuits, so the next electrician isn't guessing.
- Testing of every circuit and a certificate of compliance.
- Correct handling of an asbestos backing panel where there is 1.
- Coordination with SA Power Networks if the mains or metering are touched.
Why the range is wide
2 boards in the same street can be $1,200 apart. 1 is a 6-circuit board in a meter box on the front wall with sound consumer mains. The other is a 12-circuit board inside a laundry with an asbestos panel, mains that need replacing and a 3-phase air conditioner going in next month. Both are "a switchboard upgrade". The site visit is what separates them, and it's free.
When it's not optional
A board with ceramic fuses and no RCDs often can't legally take new circuits without being upgraded, so a renovation or a new appliance can force the decision. Heat damage, discolouration or a burning smell make it a safety issue regardless of what you're planning. See switchboard upgrades for the signs and the process.
Adding a big load
An EV charger, a heat pump hot water system, ducted air conditioning or an induction cooktop all add load. The right sequence is to check the board and the supply first, then buy the appliance, then install. The wrong sequence ends with a new appliance that trips the board it was connected to. If the load is large enough, the answer is a 3-phase upgrade, and the street supply decides whether that's straightforward.
Figures on this page are typical Adelaide market ranges as at 2026, not Kris Electrical Services quotes. Your job is priced after a free site visit.