Bayside & South East Melbourne

Ceiling Fan Installation

Ceiling fans fixed to something that will hold them, wired properly and switched sensibly, for homes across Bayside and the south east.

  • Mounted to structure, not to plasterboard
  • Separate switching for fan and light
  • Wobbling and badly-fixed existing fans put right

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No obligation · Free quotes · Licensed REC 26681

Two Things Go Wrong With Ceiling Fans

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A ceiling fan is a simple installation with two failure modes, and almost every problem people ring about is one of them.

The first is the fixing. A fan is a heavy object that spins, and the load it puts on its mounting is not static. Fixed to a proper mounting block or a joist it will run for twenty years. Fixed to plasterboard and hope, it will wobble, then it will loosen, and eventually something has to be done about it in a hurry.

The second is the switching. A fan installed onto an existing light point with no thought about control gives you a fan and a light that come on together, forever, and a wall plate that makes no sense to anybody.

Neither is hard. Both are much easier to get right the first time than to correct.

01 - Overview

What We Actually Do

Install new fans, replace old ones, and fix the ones somebody else put up.

The installation is mostly about what is above the ceiling. We find the structure, fix to it, and where there is nothing suitable in the right place we fit a mounting block that spans the joists rather than moving the fan to wherever is convenient.

Then the wiring and the switching. Most fans want separate control of the fan and the light, and increasingly the fan has speed and direction control as well. That can be a wall plate, a remote, or both, and it is worth deciding before the fitting goes up because it changes what cable needs to be there.

We also do the unglamorous half of this work: rebalancing wobbling fans, replacing noisy motors, and re-fixing fans that were never mounted to anything solid.

The short version

  • Fixed to a joist or a proper mounting block, not to plasterboard
  • Separate switching for the fan and the light where you want it
  • Speed and direction control, by wall plate, remote or both
  • Outdoor and alfresco fans in fittings rated for the position
  • Wobbling, noisy and badly-fixed existing fans put right

02 - What's included

Everything We Cover on the Job

01

New Installations

Into an existing light point or a new position, fixed to structure, wired and switched to suit how the room is used.

02

Mounting

A block spanning the joists where there is nothing suitable in the right place. This is the part that decides whether it wobbles in year three.

03

Switching and Controls

Separate fan and light control, speed and direction, by wall plate or remote. Decided before the fitting goes up, not after.

04

Replacing Old Fans

Out with the old, and a look at what it was mounted to while the ceiling is open. New fans are often heavier than what they replace.

05

Outdoor and Alfresco

Fans rated for outdoor or damp positions, on a protected circuit, which a standard indoor fan under a pergola is not.

06

Fixing Bad Installs

Wobble, noise, or a fan that has started to move on its mounting. Usually the fixing rather than the fan.

03 - Why it matters

Why the Fixing Matters More Than the Fan

Plasterboard is not a structural material. It holds a light fitting because a light fitting weighs very little and does not move. A ceiling fan weighs several kilograms and applies a rotating load to whatever it is attached to, continuously, for years.

The failure is rarely dramatic. It is a fan that develops a wobble, then a click, then a wobble that gets worse until somebody stops using it. By that point the fixing has usually damaged the ceiling around it as well.

The other requirement worth knowing is clearance. Blades have to sit a minimum distance from the floor and clear of surrounding surfaces, which occasionally rules out a position somebody has already decided on. Better to find that out before the fan is bought than after.

‘If a fan wobbles, nine times out of ten the fan is fine. It is what it is screwed to that is not.’

Peter, licensed electrician & owner

Sources AS/NZS 3000Energy Safe Victoria

Why Carda

Why Choose Bayside's Carda Electrics?

Our team takes pride in our work - we genuinely love what we do. Good, old fashioned service is key to everything we do. We know that every project is important, regardless of its size, and you can have peace of mind knowing we have the expertise and experience to get your job done properly! Each job presents unique challenges, which is why we are always ready to think creatively to find a solution.

Genuine Service

Our team is always smiling because we genuinely love what we do. When you reach out to us, a friendly team member will be happy to assist you.

Licensed, Insured, Background Checked

Every electrician we hire is licensed, insured and background checked before they set foot on a job.

Transparent Pricing

No one likes a surprise bill. We'll let you know our costs upfront, and cut the guesswork out. Our team will listen to what you need and talk to you about which solution suits your situation before starting any work.

Respectful & Tidy

You can feel 100% assured that our team won't leave a mess behind. We bring our own cleaning products to make sure the job is completed properly and your premises are tidy.

Fast Responses

We value your time and make sure we show up on time. We'll also give you a courtesy call before we arrive, so you don't need to waste your day waiting for us to arrive.

Compliant Materials

We supply compliant materials from reputable suppliers, and we warrant what we supply.

What customers say

Reviewed by the People We've Worked For

Excellent

Based on 100 reviews

Google

Read all reviews
  • Karen Robb

    1 year ago

    Peter did a great job, installed points and 3-in-1 in my newly renovated bathroom. Very neat and professional. Thanks! Karen

  • Kelly Gooch

    1 year ago

    Great service. Fast and reliable fix on our light fittings. Cleaned up the mess and had it looking brand new in no time. Would definitely use the service again.

  • Aisling Molamphy

    1 year ago

    Peter recently carried out some work in my apartment. He was efficient, professional and very flexible with arranging times that suited me to get the work done. Highly recommend.

  • Lucy

    2 years ago

    Very happy with the service provided by Carda Electrics. Peter did a great job changing multiple light fittings for me, and was friendly, diligent and efficient. Highly recommend.

  • Sophie Cooper

    2 years ago

    I am so impressed with Peter from Carda. Our Paul Bacouse Oven element failed and need replacing Peter went above and beyond in sourcing a replacement and finding a solution. He kept me well informed and contacted me frequently until it was all fixed. I highly recommend Carda. Peter is an exemplary trades person.

  • Morgan Munro

    2 years ago

    Great service from Peter at Carda Electrics. From the high level of communication and professionalism to the understanding and care in regards to my repair… I can't recommend their services enough.

  • Pierre Zoghbi

    2 years ago

    Peter and George were professional and worked seamlessly throughout the day. The entire house lighting was changed and they even cleaned all the parts after the job was done. We hardly felt there presence. Thanks guys

  • Jenny Chen

    2 years ago

    Peter and his team did an outstanding job installing lights in my house. Brilliant service and well communicated. Peter is professional, responsive and efficient. Really pleased with the quality of work he's done for us - definitely recommend.

  • Luke Sgarbossa

    2 years ago

    A fantastic trades person, so happy I went with these guys. Nice person to deal with, did a fast and clean job, would highly recommend them to anyone

  • ethan

    1 year ago

    Peter is professional, efficient & helpful 10/10

04 - Our process

How a Ceiling Fan Job Runs

Small, quick jobs, provided the two questions are answered first: what is above the ceiling, and how do you want to control it.

Step 1

Tell Us the Room and the Fan

Which room, whether there is a light point there now, and what fan you have chosen. The weight and whether it has a light both matter.

Step 2

We Check the Ceiling

Free, and no charge for the visit. What structure is up there, whether the position works for clearance, and what cable is already in place.

Step 3

Installed and Tested

Fixed to structure, wired, switched, balanced and tested. Usually a single visit.

05 - For landlords & property managers

For Landlords & Property Managers

If you manage tenanted property, you’re generally the one carrying the compliance obligation - and you’re usually hearing about problems second-hand from a tenant who just wants it fixed.

We can attend site, deal with the tenant directly, and report back to you with what was found, what was done and what it cost. Invoicing goes to you, scheduling goes through the tenant, and you get the compliance documentation for your records without having to be in the middle of every phone call.

06 - Where we work

Where We Work

We cover Bayside and the south east, with most jobs falling inside a 30-minute drive of Brighton.

07 - What it costs

What Ceiling Fan Installation Costs

Priced as a fixed job per fan. What moves the number is whether there is already a point in the right place, whether a mounting block is needed, and whether the switching has to change.

Replacing a fan where the fixing and the switching are already right is the cheapest version of this job. A new position in a room with no existing point is the most involved, because it is really a cable run with a fan on the end.

No call-out surprises

Quotes are free and there's no charge for coming out to look at the job. You'll know what it costs before you decide whether to go ahead.

08 - FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Can't see yours? Call us on 0433 577 910.

Can a fan go where my light currently is?

Usually, and it is the cheapest version of the job, but not automatically. What matters is what is above that point: a light point is often fixed to plasterboard because a light does not need more, and a fan does. We check what is up there before committing to the position.

Why does my ceiling fan wobble?

Most often the mounting rather than the fan. A fan fixed to plasterboard, or to a block that has worked loose, will develop a wobble that gets worse. Blade imbalance is the other cause and is usually correctable. Either way it is worth dealing with rather than living with, because a wobble tends to accelerate.

Can I have the fan and light on separate switches?

Yes, and it is worth doing. It generally needs the right cable to the switch position, which is straightforward on a new install and sometimes needs a run on a retrofit. Remote control is the alternative where running cable would mean opening a wall, and plenty of fans support both.

Can I install a ceiling fan myself?

Connecting fixed wiring in Victoria is licensed work, so the electrical side is not a DIY job regardless of how the instructions read. The mounting is the other half, and it is the half that most often goes wrong on a self-install: fixing a several-kilogram rotating object to a ceiling needs structure, not an anchor.

Do outdoor fans need anything different?

Yes. A fan under a pergola or in an alfresco area needs to be rated for that position, and the circuit needs the protection that outdoor and damp areas require. Standard indoor fans put outside corrode and fail, usually within a couple of seasons, and near the bay that timeline is shorter.

Are you licensed and insured?

Absolutely, our team of trusted electricians are fully licensed and insured. We have public liability insurance, and if required, just let our team know that you’d like to view our documentation.

Our team are NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association) accredited, which means they are trained to work safely and to current Victorian standards, and they keep that training current as the standards change.

We are strict about hiring. Every electrician who attends a job is licensed, experienced and background checked.

Can you issue a Certificate of Electrical Safety?

We can, and do. Our licensed electricians complete and sign a Certificate of Electrical Safety for the work that requires one, and lodge it with Energy Safe Victoria. It records that the work meets the wiring rules. You keep a copy for your own records, and it is worth filing: it is the document a buyer, insurer or property manager will ask for later.

Is it safe to attempt a DIY repair or should I call an electrician?

That really depends on one factor. Are you a licensed electrician?! If not, the answer is a simple, ‘No, don’t do it’. As tempting as it may be to save money, or use skills learnt elsewhere, electrical work carries huge risks and it’s just not worth attempting on your own.

Find a licensed team that is affordable, reliable and has the qualifications and experience to sort the problem out. If budget is a constraint, talk to us about what options we can provide. We offer highly competitive rates, efficient service timeframes and most of all, you can rely on the safety of our work.

Do you offer both residential and commercial electrical work?

We certainly do. We can help with electrical work for your home or business, whether it’s a new design and installation, during renovations or for regular servicing or maintenance. We work with clients right across the Bayside region of Melbourne, and Melbourne CBD, for everything from minor residential work through to large industrial installations.

Can you help install or repair internet and phone cables?

We certainly can help with this. Our electrical contractors have the necessary certifications and licenses to perform this type of electrical service, which are issued by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). This type of licence shows that our team have completed the correct training to work with data cables, and that work will be carried out under the Australian Standards framework for wiring.

Can you assist with smoke alarm compliance?

We sure can. It’s imperative to ensure that your smoke alarms are serviced and maintained on a regular basis. We are able to install new systems, including smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detection systems and other systems to detect smoke and fire, but generally, we are called out to maintain existing systems. We can help you service your home system, and also provide services to realties and body corporates.

How often should I schedule an electrical safety inspection?

This really depends on the purpose of your safety inspection, as there are different guidelines for workplaces and homes. For some workplaces, testing will be required more than once a year. In your home, it’s worth doing an inspection every 5 years or so, but this can vary greatly depending on the age and history of the building.

We can provide a detailed check on residential properties or commercial electrical devices, cables, appliances, switchboards and wiring, to ensure your safety and also compliance. If you have a specific electrical problem, we can have a team member attend and perform testing and electrical fault finding, to identify the fault and the right way to fix it.

Can you assist with advice in reducing my energy usage?

We certainly can. Our fully licenced electricians and electrical contractors can give you advice and recommend solutions to increase your energy efficiency. There are many ways that most households can decrease their energy consumption. Common suggestions include installing energy-efficient lighting, using energy-efficient appliances and utilising timers and smart technology for lighting and other switches.

In some cases, large changes will be required for long-term benefits, but often it’s a number of small changes that will make the difference.

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