How to Quote Smoke Alarm Installation in Australia

What a smoke alarm quote must cover

Whether it's a new build or a replacement in an older home, a smoke alarm quote should account for every part of the work:

• Alarm type and count — photoelectric, and interconnected where the rules require it.
• Cabling and fixings — junction boxes, cable for new runs, and mounting hardware.
• Labour — the install, plus testing and commissioning.
• Testing and compliance certificate — a separate, visible line, not a freebie.
• Disposal — old units cost time to remove and get rid of, especially ionisation types.

Alarm and material costs in 2026

Photoelectric alarms are the standard now, and interconnected units — where one sounds and they all sound — are mandatory in new builds and extensively renovated homes across most states. Pull current pricing from wholesalers like Rexel or Middy's, because the unit is the core of your material cost.

Add junction boxes, cable and mounting hardware on top. Battery sealed units are cheaper but only suit specific replacement or small-apartment cases — check what your state's rules allow before you quote them.

Working out labour

Most electricians charge $80–$120/hour, and the time swings hard on access and wiring. A single hardwired replacement in an accessible ceiling with existing wiring is about 30–45 minutes. New installs that need cable runs, cut-in holes or two-storey work can double or triple that per unit.

• A typical three-bedroom house with three interconnected alarms is 2–3 hours on site, plus travel.
• Travel, testing and the compliance certificate are real time — price them in, not around.
• A basic call-out and single-alarm replacement often starts around $150 minimum.

Compliance: AS3786 and interconnected alarms

Meeting AS3786 isn't negotiable, and it drives both placement and product. The standard sets where alarms go, and state codes layer more rules on top.

• Placement — in hallways near bedrooms, inside bedrooms, and on every level of the home.
• Interconnected alarms are mandatory for new builds and significant renovations — one triggers, all sound.
• State rules vary — Queensland, for example, has strict phased requirements for existing dwellings; always check the local code.
• State on the quote that the install meets current AS3786 and local regulations — peace of mind for the client, protection for you.

Common mistakes that eat your margin

1. Forgetting disposal. Old alarms cost time to remove and dispose of, and ionisation types may contain radioactive material. Add a disposal line.
2. Not allowing for old wiring. Brittle insulation or an overloaded circuit in an older home has to be sorted before new alarms go in. Inspect first.
3. Underquoting access. High ceilings, tight roof spaces or scaffolding all add time. A single alarm in a hard spot isn't a 30-minute job.
4. Leaving off the certificate. An Electrical Safety Certificate or CCEW is required work where applicable — quote it as a line, don't absorb it.
5. No contingency on older homes. Surprises cost. A 10–15% contingency covers the wiring issues you can't see, which can run $100+ a job.

Pricing replacements and pro tips

A replacement request is a chance to do it properly. Rather than swapping old for new, quote the upgrade to interconnected photoelectric alarms — safer, and it future-proofs the home. Offer tiered pricing: a basic single-unit swap versus a full interconnected upgrade throughout. A standard three-bedroom house, all in — labour, interconnected units and certification — typically lands $400–$700.

• Specify photoelectric, interconnected alarms for every new install.
• List travel and site setup as their own lines, not part of the install time.
• Quote a minimum of two hours where new wiring or difficult access is involved.
• Add a disposal line, especially for ionisation units.
• Use current wholesaler pricing — don't quote off an old price list.
• Provide a compliance certificate or declaration with the final invoice, every time.

Frequently asked questions