Smart meters are being rolled out across WA, and most swaps are quick and free. But if your switchboard is old or has a safety defect, the meter installer can flag it, and in some cases can’t complete the install until it’s fixed. Here’s what’s going on and how to get ahead of it.
Why a meter swap can turn into switchboard work
A meter installer works to strict safety rules. When they open up an old board they sometimes find issues that have to be remediated before, or shortly after, the new meter goes in:
- Asbestos backing board: common in older Perth homes
- No main switch, or one that’s faulty or wrongly rated
- Deteriorated or unsafe wiring at the meter and mains
- No safety switches (RCDs) where the rules now require them
- Tails or connections that aren’t to current standard
When that happens you’ll typically get a defect notice giving you a window to have a licensed electrician put it right.
Who actually does the work
There are two sides to your power supply:
- The network side: the service line, the meter position and the consumer mains. Work here sits with the network distributor and its authorised crews, because it touches the distributor’s network.
- The customer side: the switchboard, circuits and wiring inside your home.
Most defect remediation spans both. We handle everything on the customer side and coordinate the network-side steps with the distributor, so you’re not left juggling the process yourself.
What it costs
It depends entirely on what the defect is. A straightforward fix can be modest; a full switchboard upgrade in Perth typically runs $1,500–$3,500, and asbestos removal adds roughly $800–$2,000 on top. We assess it and give you a fixed price before any work starts. See our switchboard upgrade cost guide for the breakdown.
Get ahead of it
If your board has ceramic fuses, no safety switches, or you already know it’s ageing, it’s worth sorting before the meter appointment rather than scrambling against a defect-notice deadline. Use our switchboard-readiness check to gauge where you stand, or request a callback and we’ll take a look.