Clear the way
Move anything stacked in front of the meter box, unlock the side gate and put the dog inside. Clear a path to the rooms we'll be working in, and pull furniture away from walls where new power points or cables are going. If the job involves lights, fans or a new circuit, clear the boxes from under the roof manhole and leave room for a ladder.
Write the list
Visits often grow 'while you're here' jobs: a dead power point in the laundry, an outdoor light, a USB point beside the bed. Writing them down beforehand means we can price them together and bring the right parts, rather than finding out at the end of the day. Put them in order of importance, so the jobs that matter most get done first.
Notes on any fault
For a fault, write down what stopped working, when it started, what was running at the time and which switch moved on the board. Note any smell, heat, buzzing or flickering. A fault that comes and goes is far easier to trace with a short record of when it happened, such as 'every wet morning' or 'only when the heater and kettle are both on'.
What to leave alone
Please don't take plates off power points, open the switchboard cover, swap fittings or try a new globe in a fitting that's scorched. Energy Safe Victoria says electrical work isn't a DIY job, even small jobs like changing power points or light switches. If a safety switch has tripped, reset it once. If it won't stay on, leave it off and tell us in the enquiry.
What you can safely do now
- Clear access to the meter box and switchboard, and unlock any gate.
- Clear the space under the roof manhole and leave room for a ladder.
- Write down every job, in order of importance.
- Note what any fault does, when it happens and what was running.
- Secure pets, and tell us about home offices, full freezers or powered medical equipment.
Services that can help
Read more in our guides
Related questions
- Do I need to be home for the visit?Not always, but someone needs to give us access to everything the job involves.
- What photos help with an electrical enquiry?Three or four clear photos usually do it: the switchboard with its door open and every cover left in place, a wider shot of where the job is, and any appliance or…
- How do I describe an electrical fault in my enquiry?Tell us what stopped working, when it started, what was running at the time and what the switchboard shows.
- Can I book a Saturday appointment?Yes.
Sources for this answer
2 sources, with the date each was checked
- 1.Energy Safe Victoria: Electrical work isn’t a DIY job, even for small jobs such as changing power points or light switches. Accessed 30 September 2026.
- 2.Energy Safe Victoria: Locate your electricity box outside your home and check whether the safety switch has tripped. If it has tripped, reset the switch. If the switch won’t reset, call a licensed electrician. Accessed 30 September 2026.
General information for homes in Victoria. Every installation is different, so treat this as a starting point. Where this answer refers to Victorian safety or rental rules, the sources above have the current requirements.