Questions people ask
Straight answers to the questions people ask about electrical faults, EV chargers and everyday electrical work, and about working with AGT Power. If your question isn't here, call Tony on 0412 049 022. He answers his own phone.
Prices, payment and warranty
Every standard job starts with a $150 + GST call-out, which covers getting to you. From the moment Tony arrives, it's $100 an hour + GST. If Tony can price the job over the phone, that's free, but most jobs need a visit.
An emergency call-out is $280 + GST, which covers getting to you. From the moment Tony arrives, it's $100 an hour + GST, the same hourly rate as any other job. Call 0412 049 022, describe what has happened and where, and Tony will tell you on the call whether he can get to it.
Sometimes. If Tony can quote the job, or give you a rough price, from what you tell him on the phone, that's free. Most jobs need him to see them first, and that's the standard call-out of $150 + GST, then $100 an hour + GST.
Tony invoices every job. You can pay by bank transfer, or by card or online from an invoice or payment link he texts to your phone. On larger jobs he takes a deposit.
Yes. Tony stands behind his work. How long the warranty runs depends on the product installed, from 24 months up to seven years, so ask Tony what applies to your job.
Emergencies and faults
If there's fire, smoke or immediate danger, get everyone out and call 000. Once it's safe, switch the circuit off at the switchboard if you can do it without touching anything damaged. Don't keep resetting a switch that trips. Then call Tony on 0412 049 022 and tell him what happened and where.
Anything that could hurt someone or damage the property. That includes a burning smell or smoke from a switchboard or power point, sparking, exposed or wet wiring, a safety switch that won't reset, or no power when the neighbours have theirs. If there's fire or someone is hurt, call 000 first.
Tony will tell you on the call. Ring 0412 049 022 and describe what has happened and where the property is. Tony answers his own phone, so you're talking to the electrician who would do the repair, and you'll know straight away whether he can get to it.
First check whether the neighbours have power. If they don't, it's likely a network outage, so report it to Ausgrid. If it's only your property, look at the switchboard for a tripped switch and reset it once. If it trips again, leave it off and call Tony on 0412 049 022.
Usually something on that circuit is faulty, like a wet outdoor socket, a failing appliance, water in a light fitting or damaged cable. The switch is doing its job by cutting the power, so don't keep resetting it. Unplug appliances on that circuit, try once more, and if it still trips, call Tony on 0412 049 022 to find the cause.
Not if the spark was big, left a scorch mark, or came with a burning smell or buzzing. Stop using it, switch that circuit off at the switchboard if you can do so safely, and call Tony on 0412 049 022. A tiny spark when you plug something in can be normal, but get it checked if it keeps happening.
EV chargers
It depends on the charger, your switchboard and how far the cable has to run. If Tony can price it from what you tell him on the phone, that's free. If he needs to see it first, that's the standard call-out of $150 + GST, then $100 an hour + GST from when he arrives.
Sometimes. An older switchboard may have no room for a new circuit or safety switch, and then it needs upgrading before the charger goes in. Many don't. Tony looks at your switchboard and supply first and tells you which applies before anything is ordered or booked.
Often, yes, but the building's rules come first. Your car space may be a long way from your unit's switchboard, and the owners corporation usually has a say in work on common property. Talk to your strata manager first, then call Tony to talk through the installation.
Appliances and smart controls
No. Tony doesn't repair appliances. He does the electrical installation: connecting a new oven, cooktop or electric hot water system, including hard-wired ones that need their own circuit. For a broken appliance, call the maker or an appliance repairer.
Yes, that's what it's designed for. A Shelly is a small smart module. The ones that switch things sit behind the switches you already have, and the ones that monitor energy go in the switchboard, so you can run lights and power points from your phone and see what's using power. Tell Tony what you'd like to control and he'll confirm on the call whether it suits your setup.
Working with AGT
Yes. Tony holds NSW electrical contractor licence 150217C, class Electrician, which is current and which you can check on the public NSW register. AGT Power is licensed and insured for $10 million, and Tony has been in the electrical trade since 1999, so you're dealing with an experienced, licensed electrician on every job.
The Inner City, the Eastern Suburbs and the Lower North Shore of Sydney, working from Surry Hills. That takes in suburbs such as Darlinghurst, Pyrmont, Bondi, Randwick, Chatswood and Mosman. Call with the property address and Tony will tell you if it's covered. There's no office to visit, because he comes to you.
Yes, always. AGT Power is Tony Galea. He answers the phone, comes to the property and does the work, and he's on site running every job he takes on. On larger jobs he brings in trusted subcontractors to help, but the electrician you talk to on the first call is the one who turns up.
Almost always. Tony answers his own phone, so you're talking to the electrician who does the work from the first call. If his hands are full on a job, he calls you back within the hour.
Yes. Electrical maintenance for strata managers and real estate agents is one of the three jobs that make up most of AGT Power's work. Tony handles faults tenants report, common-area lighting, power points, safety switches, switchboards and test and tag in buildings across the Inner City, Eastern Suburbs and Lower North Shore.
Call Tony
If your question isn't answered here, ring 0412 049 022. Tony answers his own phone, and the electrician you speak to is the one who does the work.