OVERHEAD VS UNDERGROUND POWER - WHICH IS BETTER FOR YOUR HOME?
When building a new home, renovating, or upgrading your electrical connection, one common question comes up… Should you choose overhead or underground power?
Both options supply electricity from the street network to your home, but they differ in appearance, cost, maintenance and long term reliability. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you decide what’s best for your property.
WHAT IS A POWER SERVICE?
Your electrical service connection is the main cable that brings electricity from the distribution network (street pole or underground pit) into your property and connects to your meter box.
This includes:
The cable from the street
The meter box
Your home switchboard
Because this connects to the live network, a Level 2 electrician must carry out this work.
OVERHEAD POWER SERVICES
Overhead service lines run above ground, typically from a pole in the street to a point near your home.
Advantages:
Lower upfront cost - fewer materials and no trenching
Easier access for repairs and maintenance
Doesn’t require digging up gardens or driveways
Things to consider:
More visible - wires and poles can affect your property’s look
More exposed to weather, wind and falling branches
May need more regular inspection in some areas
Overhead services are very common, especially in established suburbs where infrastructure is already in place.
UNDERGROUND POWER SERVICES
Underground services bury the electrical cable below ground, inside a trench and protective conduit, and bring power to your meter box without any visible wires.
Advantages:
Cleaner, modern appearance - no overhead wires
Better protection from weather and tree damage
Often fewer outages caused by storms or external impacts
Things to consider:
Higher initial installation cost due to excavating and trenching
Repair work can take longer if cables need to be located underground
Requires careful planning around existing underground utilities
Underground services are becoming more popular in new developments and urban areas because they reduce visual clutter and often require less long-term maintenance.
SO, WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOUR PROPERTY?
There’s no single “best” choice - it depends on your needs, budget and location.
Overhead might be better if:
You want a more budget friendly connection
Your street already has poles and overhead lines
You want quicker repairs when issues arise
Underground might be better if:
Aesthetics matter (no wires overhead)
You’re building new or renovating extensively
You want greater protection from weather related faults
An accredited Level 2 electrician can assess your property, check local distributor requirements, and recommend the best option.
WHY IT MATTERS TO HIRE THE RIGHT ELECTRICIAN?
Because both overhead and underground service work connects to the electricity network itself, it’s important that only Level 2 accredited electricians handle it. They’re authorised to:
Install or replace overhead and underground services
Coordinate with your local electricity distributor
Arrange disconnection and reconnection of power
Complete all compliance and certification paperwork
This ensures the job is done safely, legally and with minimal disruption.
Choosing between overhead and underground power comes down to priorities - Cost vs appearance, accessibility vs protection, short term vs long term planning. Talk with NewSpark Electrical Solutions early in your project, especially if you’re building, renovating, or upgrading to avoid surprises and ensure your home’s power service suits your lifestyle and budget.
📞 Call Nathan on 0474 915 389
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“Nathan is an excellent communicator and does great work. He’s worked with us on several jobs to put up new private power poles and complete level 2 connections. Would highly recommend” - Fortify Security and Electrical