Your Local Reliable Electrician That You Can Trust 
We’ve all heard horror stories. Sparks flying, lights flickering, or worse, house fires that started from “a bit of dodgy wiring.” Whether you’ve just moved into a new place, are renovating, or have noticed some things that don’t quite seem right, dodgy electrical work isn’t just a nuisance. It’s dangerous.
And unfortunately, it’s more common than you’d think.
In Australia, all electrical work must legally be carried out by a licensed electrician. But that doesn’t mean some people don’t still try to cut corners. Whether it’s an unlicensed handyman, a “mate who used to be a sparky,” or even previous homeowners doing DIY jobs they probably shouldn’t have, dodgy electrical work can be hiding behind your walls, and you might not even know it.
Let’s take a look at the telltale signs of shonky electrical work and what you should do if you spot them.
Warning Signs You Might Have Dodgy Wiring
- Flickering or Dimming Lights
If your lights dim every time you use the microwave or flicker on and off for no reason, it could mean overloaded circuits or poor connections.
- Power points That Feel Warm or Buzz
A warm power point or one that makes a slight buzzing or crackling noise? Major red flag. That may be a sign of overheating or loose wiring.
- Circuit Breakers That Trip Regularly
While a trip here and there isn’t unusual, if your circuit breakers are tripping frequently, it could be due to overloaded circuits or poor-quality work behind the scenes.
- Messy or Exposed Wiring
If you take a peek inside your distribution board or ceiling space and see a spaghetti mess of wire, or exposed copper, it’s time to call a licensed electrician immediately..
- Lack of Safety Switches (RCDs)
Australian safety standards require safety switches on power and lighting circuits. If your home doesn’t have them, it’s unsafe.
- Dodgy Installations
We’ve seen it all. Lights installed over showers, power points in sketchy spots, outdoor fittings with no weatherproofing, etc. These kinds of shortcuts can pose serious shock risks.
What to Do If You Suspect Dodgy Electrical Work
It might be tempting to ignore minor signs and hope for the best, but dodgy electrical work is not something you want to leave unchecked.
Here’s what to do:
- Stop Using the Affected Areas
If a certain switch, outlet or appliance feels off, stop using it immediately.
- Don’t Try to Fix It Yourself
Did you know, its actually illegal to do your own electrical work in Oz? Unless you’re a licensed electrician. This includes things like rewiring, installing power points, or even replacing a light fitting.
- Book a Licensed Electrician for an Inspection
An experienced electrician can test your system and identify issues before they become serious hazards.
- Request a Certificate of Electrical Safety
Any reputable electrician will provide you with this after the work is completed. If the previous work in your home didn’t come with one, it might not have been done legally.
At the end of the day, dodgy electrical work is more than just inconvenient. It can be lethal. Electrical fires, electric shocks and major damage to appliances are all risks you’re taking when shortcuts are involved.
And even if nothing has gone wrong yet, it doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. Electrical issues often build up slowly until one day they don’t.
At Sparc Electrical & Airconditioning, we’ve seen it all and fixed it all. From patchy DIY jobs to downright dangerous installations, we’re the team you want inspecting, repairing and upgrading your electrical systems.
We take pride in doing things right the first time. No shortcuts, no half-done jobs, and definitely no duct-taped wires (yep, we’ve seen that too).
Sparc Electrical & Airconditioning is a trusted name in Brisbane, known for high-quality work and reliable service. We’ll make sure your home is safe, up to code and future-ready.
Get in touch with us today.