You have ordered an EV, or you are about to, and now you are staring at the charging cable wondering where it actually plugs in. Charging off a normal power point in the garage works in a pinch, but it is slow and it was never designed to run for hours at high load. If you want a proper home charger fitted, here is what is involved and what you need to know before you book anyone.
Do you legally need an electrician for an EV charger?
Yes. In Victoria, hardwiring an EV charger (a wall-mounted unit wired directly into your home’s electrical system) is electrical work that must be done by a licensed electrician. It is not a DIY job, and it is not something a handyman can legally touch. The charger draws a large, sustained current, so it needs its own dedicated circuit, correct cabling, and the right protective devices at the switchboard. Getting any of that wrong is a real fire and shock risk.
The only EV charging you can legally do yourself is plugging the portable cable that came with your car into an existing power point. Even then, that point should be checked by an electrician if you plan to use it regularly, because standard outlets are not built for hours of full-load charging day after day.
Can you install a charger I have already bought?
Yes. If you have already purchased a wall charger, whether it came bundled with your car or you bought it separately, we can install it for you. Bring us the unit and the manufacturer’s instructions and we will wire it in correctly and test it. We will just want to confirm it is a unit approved for use in Australia before we fit it.
If you have not bought one yet, we can supply and install a charger to suit your car and your home. Different vehicles and different households have different needs, so it helps to have a quick chat about how far you drive and how quickly you want to top up before you commit to a particular model.
What actually happens during an EV charger installation?
A home charger install is more involved than swapping a light fitting. In broad terms, here is what the job covers.
First, we look at your switchboard. The charger needs its own dedicated circuit with the correct breaker and a residual current device for safety. If your switchboard is old, full, or still running ceramic fuses, it may need work before a charger can go in.
Second, we check that your home’s supply can handle the extra load. A charger running at full tilt is one of the biggest single loads in a house. On some homes we fit load management so the charger eases back when the oven, aircon, and everything else are running hard, which avoids nuisance tripping.
Third, we run the cable from the switchboard to wherever the charger is going, mount the unit, wire it in, and test the whole circuit before we hand it over.
Where should the charger go?
Most people want the charger on the garage wall or on an external wall near where they park. The best spot depends on where your car’s charging port sits, how far it is from the switchboard, and whether the run is a clean internal path or has to go around the outside of the house. The shorter and simpler the cable run, the tidier and more cost-effective the job. We will walk the site with you and work out the neatest option on the day.
Does my switchboard need upgrading first?
Sometimes, yes. Many older homes in Melbourne’s north simply do not have room on the switchboard for another dedicated circuit, or they are still running outdated fuses that are not compatible with a modern charger install. If that is the case, we will let you know upfront and talk you through a switchboard upgrade before the charger goes in. Newer homes are usually ready to go with little more than a spare circuit added. Either way, we will tell you what your board needs before we start, not halfway through.
How much does home EV charger installation cost?
There is no single flat figure, because every home is different. The main things that move the price are how far the charger sits from your switchboard, whether the cable run is a simple internal path or a longer external one, whether your switchboard has spare capacity or needs upgrading first, and the type of charger being fitted. A straightforward install in a newer home with a ready switchboard is at the simpler end. An older home that needs board work and a long cable run sits higher.
We give you an upfront price before any work starts, with no hidden fees. You will know exactly what you are paying and why, and we will explain what is driving the cost so there are no surprises on the invoice.
Why homeowners across Melbourne’s north call us for EV chargers
We are a licensed and insured local team with a 5.0 Google rating from more than 600 reviews, and every job we do is backed by our lifetime workmanship guarantee. EV charging is still new to a lot of households, so we take the time to explain your options in plain language rather than talking over your head. Whether you are in an older weatherboard that needs some board work or a newer estate home that is ready to go, we fit the charger properly the first time.
If you want your EV charger installed cleanly, safely, and to code, give us a call on 1300 635 294 and we will sort it out.
