Useful information
Guides.
Straight answers to the questions Hoff gets asked most, written so you can make a decision without booking anyone. Where Queensland requirements are involved, the authority is linked rather than paraphrased.
Electrical
Electrical guides.
When does a switchboard need upgrading?
The signs a Brisbane switchboard needs upgrading: ceramic fuses, no safety switches, repeated tripping and no spare capacity. What each one actually means.
Reviewed 2026-07-25 Read guideWhy does my safety switch keep tripping?
A tripping safety switch usually means it is working and something is leaking to earth. Common causes, how to narrow it down, and when to stop resetting it.
Reviewed 2026-07-25 Read guideWhat to know before installing an EV charger at home
What to know before installing a home EV charger in Brisbane: supply capacity, switchboard space, positioning and why the assessment comes first.
Reviewed 2026-07-25 Read guideCeiling fan size and placement guide
How to choose and position a ceiling fan in a Brisbane home: blade span, mounting height, clearances, raked ceilings, and pairing fans with air-con.
Reviewed 2026-07-25 Read guideSmoke alarm requirements for Queensland homes
What Queensland requires of domestic smoke alarms: photoelectric alarms, interconnection and placement, plus where to confirm your dwelling's obligation.
Reviewed 2026-07-25 Read guideAir-conditioning
Air-conditioning guides.
Split system vs ducted air conditioning
Which suits your Brisbane home: split systems or ducted air-conditioning? Cost, appearance, zoning, roof space and running costs compared honestly.
Reviewed 2026-07-25 Read guideWhat size air conditioner do I need?
Why floor area alone will not size an air conditioner, what actually drives cooling load in a Brisbane home, and why oversizing causes as many problems.
Reviewed 2026-07-25 Read guideHow often should air conditioning be serviced?
How often a Brisbane air conditioner should be serviced, what a service actually covers, and why humidity and coastal exposure change the answer for some homes.
Reviewed 2026-07-25 Read guideWhy is my air conditioner not cooling?
Why a Brisbane air conditioner runs without cooling: restricted airflow, low refrigerant, failed capacitors and control faults. What to check before you call.
Reviewed 2026-07-25 Read guideRather just ask Hoff directly?
Plenty of questions are quicker answered on the phone than in an article.