Guides
Plain answers to questions people ask before they call an electrician, with the official sources linked.
- Ceiling fan installation: what affects the cost, and common questionsThe price of fitting a ceiling fan depends on the house and the fan, which is why P4 quotes every job and doesn't publish a price. This guide explains what moves the cost, who can do the work and the questions we hear most.
- Do I need council approval for internal renovations in Queensland?Whether an internal renovation needs approval depends on what you are changing. P4 is an electrical business and can't tell you what your council requires. This guide explains where the electrical part fits, who to ask about the rest, and how to plan the power.
- Hot water replacement: the electrical part of the jobWhen an electric hot water system is replaced, part of the job is electrical: the old unit is disconnected from the power and the new one is connected. This guide explains that part and what to tell whoever you call. It covers the electrical side only and says nothing about the rest of the job.
- Getting an EV charger installed at home: what to expectA wall-mounted EV charger looks like a simple box on the garage wall. Most of the work happens between that box and the switchboard. This guide explains what a home installation involves, who is allowed to do it, and the details worth having ready before you ask for a quote.
- Getting a rental ready electricallyThe gap between tenancies is the easiest time to get electrical work done in a rental. The house is empty, nobody's routine is disrupted, and small faults can be fixed before they turn into repair requests. This guide covers the Queensland smoke alarm and safety switch rules, and the jobs worth booking while you have the keys.
- How deep does electrical conduit need to be buried in Australia?People usually want one number. There isn't one. The depth for underground wiring in Australia depends on the type of wiring, where it runs, how it is protected and who supplies the power. This guide explains what decides the depth, so you can dig (or hire a digger) only once.
- Installing a pendant light or ceiling light fixture: what is involvedSwapping a ceiling light looks like a ten-minute job. In Queensland the connection to the house wiring is electrical work, and it must be done by a licensed electrician. This guide explains what the job involves and how to get the fitting ready.
- Does New Zealand have the same power points as Australia?Yes. New Zealand and Australia use the same everyday plug and socket shape, so an Australian plug normally fits a New Zealand power point without a travel adaptor. This guide covers what is the same, what to check, and what to leave to an electrician.
- Planning power for a renovationThe electrical decisions in a renovation are easiest to make before the walls are closed up. Once the plasterboard is on and the tiles are down, moving a power point or adding a light is a bigger job. This guide covers what to think through before P4 quotes, so the quote matches the room you want.
- Reading your switchboardMost people only look at the switchboard when the power goes off. Knowing what the switches on the front are called makes that moment less confusing, and makes the call to an electrician shorter. This guide names the parts you can see on a closed board. It does not cover opening anything.
- When a safety switch keeps trippingA safety switch that trips once and stays on when you reset it may never do it again. One that trips over and over is telling you something on its circuits has a problem. This guide explains what a trip generally means, what is reasonable to do yourself, and where that stops.
- Is there a smoke alarm compliance certificate in Queensland?People often search for a "smoke alarm compliance certificate" when they are selling or renting. This guide explains what paperwork an electrician gives you after a smoke alarm job, what to check on the alarms themselves, and where to confirm the official requirements.
- Smoke alarms for Queensland landlords and property managersRental homes in Queensland have needed interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms since 1 January 2022. This guide covers what a landlord or property manager has to have in place, who does the testing, and where a licensed electrician comes in. It is general information, with links to the official sources for the exact wording.
- Smoke alarms in Queensland: what has to be in place by 1 January 2027Every Queensland home must have interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms by 1 January 2027. This guide sets out what the rules ask for, where the alarms go and what an electrician does when the job involves wiring. It is general information, and the official wording sits on the government pages linked below.
- The certificate after electrical workWhen a P4 job is finished, you get an invoice and a certificate for the electrical work. The invoice records what you paid for. The certificate is about the electrical work itself. This guide explains what to do with them, and why they are worth keeping long after the bill is paid.
- What happens on a switchboard upgradeA switchboard upgrade means the power is off for part of a day, a new board goes in, and you are left with paperwork to keep. This guide covers the job from the homeowner's side: what happens before the day, how to get the house ready, what the work involves and what you get at the end.
- Why is my ceiling fan clicking?A clicking fan is usually something loose or worn. Occasionally it is something that needs attention fast. This guide covers the common causes, what you can safely check, and when to turn the fan off and call a licensed electrician.
Call Jamie
Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm. Logan, Ipswich and the Southside of Brisbane. Or email [email protected].