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Switchboard Upgrades in Pakuranga, Howick and Highland Park: The Brick-and-Tile Belt

  • 3 days ago
  • 2 min read

Pakuranga, Howick, Highland Park, Farm Cove, Sunnyhills and Bucklands Beach are full of solid 1970s and 80s brick-and-tile homes — well built, and wired for a household with one television, no heat pump, no dishwasher and certainly no electric car. Most still run the original ceramic-fuse or early circuit-breaker board. A modern board with RCD protection typically runs $1,800–$3,500 in 2026 depending on circuit count and what's behind the wall, and usually takes a day. Call 021 889 770 for a fixed price on yours.

Not sure what you've got? Text a photo of your board to 021 889 770 — we'll tell you what it is and roughly what an upgrade costs, free.

Signs your East Auckland board is past it

  • Ceramic fuses with fuse wire, or a mix of old fuses and later-added breakers

  • No RCD protection — the single biggest safety gap in a 1970s home, and the one that actually saves lives

  • Circuits tripping when the kettle, heat pump and dryer run together

  • No spare ways for a heat pump, EV charger, spa or kitchen upgrade — the board is full

  • Burn marks, a warm cover, a burning smell, or a buzzing sound — stop using it and call today

What we usually find behind the board

In this era of housing, the switchboard is rarely the only thing that's aged. Common companions: original TPS wiring that's fine but at capacity, a kitchen or bathroom renovation from the 1990s wired to the standards of the day, extension circuits run to a rumpus or garage conversion, and the occasional length of rubber-insulated cable surviving in a hard-to-reach corner. We test before quoting so the price reflects the actual house, not an assumption.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the power off?

Most of the working day for a straight swap. We plan around the fridge and freezer, and let you know in advance if it will run longer.

Do I need to rewire the whole house too?

Usually not. Plenty of 1970s–80s houses have wiring in sound condition — testing tells us. If specific circuits fail, we replace those rather than the lot. See the rewiring guide.

Does it add value at sale?

It removes an objection. In this part of Auckland buyers and building inspectors look straight at the board, and an old fuse box invites a price conversation you don't want to have.

Will insurance be affected?

Policies vary, but insurers increasingly ask about old wiring and boards. A documented upgrade with a Certificate of Compliance is the answer to that question.

Get a fixed price on your board

EWRB-registered electricians · Certificate of Compliance on every eligible job · Based in Remuera, servicing East Auckland

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