New builds and knock-down rebuilds
A lot of our Mermaid Beach work is on new homes and duplexes replacing older houses. For builders and owner-builders, we handle the electrical from the temporary builder’s supply through rough-in and fit-off to the final connection and paperwork. Getting the electrical plan right early saves a lot of changes later, so we like to sit down with the owner and the plans before rough-in.
New homes here are usually high-spec: large glazed living areas, feature and landscape lighting, pools, ducted air conditioning, solar, and often a garage set up for an EV. We plan cable routes and switchboard space for all of that from the start. Our new homes and renovations service and our article on smart home wiring for a new build cover the detail.
Questions worth answering before rough-in
- Where will the car charger go, and is the supply big enough for it?
- Do you want lighting scenes, automation or just good switching?
- Where will data points, the modem and wi-fi access points sit?
- What outdoor lighting and power do the landscape plans need?
The older beach houses
Plenty of original houses remain between the highway and the beach, and some are decades old. Typical issues include ceramic fuses, no safety switches, cloth-covered or rubber-insulated cabling, and outdoor wiring that has been extended by previous owners. Being so close to the surf, corrosion on external fittings and meter boxes is common.
If you are buying one to live in or rent out while you plan a rebuild, an electrical safety inspection tells you what is safe, what needs fixing now and what can wait. We give you plain answers, not a sales pitch.
Duplexes and small developments
Duplex developments bring their own electrical requirements: separate supplies and metering for each dwelling, correct separation of circuits, and coordination with the network for connection. We work with builders and developers to keep this on program.
Beachside living and the elements
Living a street or two from the ocean means salt on everything and a direct hit from summer storms. We specify coastal-rated outdoor fittings and suitable enclosures, and for new homes we recommend placing external switchboards and equipment out of the worst of the weather where possible. Surge protection is worth considering on a well-equipped home, and we can fit it at the board.
Shops along the highway
The Gold Coast Highway through Mermaid Beach and the Nobby Beach end carries cafes, restaurants and small shops. We do lighting, fault finding and small fit-outs for these businesses, scheduled around trading.
Working with neighbours in mind
Rebuild sites in Mermaid Beach sit shoulder to shoulder with occupied homes. When we need a power shutdown at the pole or the network has to disconnect an old supply, we plan it with the builder and give neighbours notice where their supply might be affected. We keep vans and materials off footpaths and driveways where we can.