You have picked your electric car, maybe even the charger, and now you want to know how long the electrician will be at your place. The short answer is that most home EV charger installations in sydney take between two and six hours on the day. The longer answer depends on your switchboard, where the charger is going and how far the cable has to travel.
Here is what our electricians look at, what slows a job down and how to keep the whole process as quick as possible.
Key Takeaways
- A simple install on a modern switchboard usually takes two to three hours.
- Long cable runs, trenching or a switchboard upgrade can stretch the job to a full day.
- Sending photos of your switchboard before install day is the easiest way to avoid surprises.
- Expect a short power outage while the new circuit is connected.
Installing a Home EV Charger?
Install time depends on your board, cable run and charger. Get a firm timeline from Charlie Sparks.
The Typical Install Time
Most homes fall into one of three groups.
Simple Install: Two to Three Hours
The charger goes in a garage or carport close to the switchboard, there is spare room on the board and the supply can handle the extra load. The electrician mounts the unit, runs a dedicated circuit with RCD protection, connects it, then tests and commissions the charger.
Moderate Install: Four to Six Hours
The cable has a longer path, such as through the ceiling, under the house or along an external wall to a detached carport. The charger may also need load management set up, so it does not overload your supply when the oven, air con and hot water are all running at once.
Complex Install: A Full Day or More
Jobs that need trenching to a separate garage, a switchboard upgrade or work in a shared car park take longer. Strata properties usually need approval from the owners corporation before any work starts, which adds time well before install day.
What Affects How Long the Install Takes
Your Switchboard
This is the biggest factor. Older boards with ceramic fuses, no space for new circuits or no safety switches often need upgrading first. In many older Sydney homes, we find boards that were never designed for an appliance that draws high current for hours at a time. That is why our home EV charger installation process starts with a switchboard assessment before we quote. An upgrade can add several hours, but it also makes the whole house safer.
Cable Distance and Route
Every extra metre between the switchboard and the charger means more cable, more fixings and more time. A charger mounted on the other side of the garage wall from the board is quick. One at the far end of a long driveway is not.
Single-Phase or Three-Phase Supply
Most Sydney homes run on single-phase power, which suits a 7kW charger well. Homes with three-phase supply can run faster 22kW chargers, as long as the car can accept that rate. If you want three-phase but do not have it, that is a separate process involving your network provider, and it is best sorted well before the charger goes in.
The Charger You Choose
Tethered chargers with a fixed cable, untethered units and smart chargers all mount in a similar way. Smart and solar-linked models take a little longer, because they need Wi-Fi connection, app setup and configuration. If you have solar panels, the extra time is worth it, since the charger can use your daytime solar instead of drawing from the grid.
What Happens on Install Day
Most of our jobs follow the same order:
- Site check: confirming the charger location, cable route and switchboard capacity
- Mounting: fixing the charger at a comfortable height near where you park
- Cabling: running a dedicated circuit back to the switchboard
- Connection: fitting the circuit breaker and RCD protection
- Testing and commissioning: checking the work meets Australian standards, then running a test charge
- Handover: showing you how to use the charger and any app features
Power is usually off for a short time while the new circuit is connected to the board. Your electrician should let you know before it happens, so you can plan around it.
How to Speed Up Your Installation
A few simple steps can save hours on the day:
- Send photos of your switchboard and the spot you want the charger before booking
- Decide on the charger location ahead of time and keep the area clear
- Buy the charger before install day, or ask your electrician to supply one
- Check strata or council requirements early if you live in a unit or townhouse
- Make sure there is easy access to the switchboard, roof space and subfloor
From our experience, the jobs that run over are rarely about the charger itself. It is usually an unexpected switchboard problem or a cable path that turns out to be blocked. A quick look beforehand removes most of that guesswork.
Why a Licensed Electrician Matters
An EV charger is a high-load appliance that often runs for hours overnight while you sleep. In Australia, it must be installed by a licensed electrician, with the work tested and certified. A rushed or DIY job can lead to overheating cables, nuisance tripping or a charger that loses its warranty. A careful install might take an extra hour, but that hour protects your home and your car.
Ready to Book Your Install?
Book a licensed Sydney electrician to install your home EV charger quickly and safely. Talk to Charlie Sparks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my car while the charger is being installed?
Yes. The car does not need to be home for the install, although it helps to have it there for the final test charge.
Will my power be off for the whole install?
No. Power is usually off only while the new circuit is being connected to the switchboard. The rest of the work happens with the house running as normal.
How long does it take to charge my EV once the charger is in?
It depends on your battery size, the charger output and how much charge is left. A 7kW home charger will fully charge most EVs overnight.
Do I always need a switchboard upgrade?
Not always. If your board has space, modern circuit breakers and safety switches, the charger can usually connect straight in. Your electrician will confirm this during the site check.
Ready to Get Your EV Charger Installed?
Charlie Sparks installs home EV chargers across Sydney, from simple garage setups to solar-linked charging. Our licensed electricians check your switchboard first, so you get a clear timeline before any work starts. Contact our team or call (02) 8310 4077 to book your site check.