O'Brien Electrical Lake Macquarie
Steve answers late-night calls himself and three other named technicians each earn repeat bookings from the same customers.
Named technicians (Steve, Martin, Lachlan, Peter, Cody) appear across reviews spanning several years, which points to a stable team rather than high turnover. Pricing is flagged unprompted by a meaningful number of reviewers as a genuine positive — not just 'fair' in a polite sense, but specifically lower than competing quotes for equivalent work. Recent reviews average higher than earlier ones in the sample, a trajectory worth noting. For a homeowner deciding whether to call: this business suits those who want a responsive team for both planned work and unexpected faults, and the track record on emergency availability is backed by specific accounts rather than just a listed claim.
Their work
What it's like working with them
Based on a sample of Google reviews (87 total)
“coming way under another competitor's quote”
What they help with
Based on what their customers hired them for
How they stack up
Context from 260 electricians in Lake Macquarie
Credentials & background
Sourced from 5 public records so you don't have to look them up yourself
About O'Brien Electrical Lake Macquarie
Steve, Martin, Lachlan, Peter, and Cody each turn up repeatedly across reviews, and the praise isn't interchangeable — Steve is the one fielding late-night calls (including a 9pm weeknight where he walked a customer through phone troubleshooting and texted his direct number), while Martin is the go-to for renovation work, praised specifically for punctuality and site cleanup, and Lachlan draws repeated mentions for explaining technical details clearly and making the process stress-free. The business operates across residential and light commercial work, covering everything from switchboard faults and circuit installations to sensor lights, ceiling fans, bathroom exhaust combos, oven hardwiring, and tag-and-test services for commercial clients — a broader scope than most single-operator electricians in the region. Kelly handles the front office and is specifically called out for making the initial enquiry process smooth, which matters when you're stressed about a power fault. Emergency response is a genuine differentiator here: multiple reviewers contacted them for same-day or after-hours faults and were either seen immediately or given direct support over the phone, which is meaningfully different from competitors who list 24/7 availability but don't answer. Pricing comes up unprompted in a high proportion of reviews — customers consistently describe quotes as competitive and bills as lower than expected, with one reviewer noting they came in well under a competitor's quote for the same work. Recent reviews have trended higher than earlier ones, which is worth noting if you're weighing a business that's been operating for around 13 years.
Best for: after-hours and urgent electrical faults where you need someone who actually answers, renovation projects requiring a reliable recurring electrician, and homeowners comparing quotes who want a team with a track record of coming in competitively.
Location
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Claim This Profile — Free →Common questions about O'Brien Electrical Lake Macquarie
Does O'Brien Electrical Lake Macquarie offer after-hours or emergency callouts?+
Yes, and this is backed by specific customer accounts rather than just a listing claim. Multiple reviewers describe reaching Steve directly on weeknight evenings and Sunday nights, with same-night or first-thing-next-morning responses to power faults and switchboard failures. In one reviewed instance, Steve answered a 9pm call pleasantly, provided phone troubleshooting, and texted through his direct number for follow-up. If you have an urgent fault, calling directly and asking for Steve appears to be the most reliable path.
What areas does O'Brien Electrical Lake Macquarie service?+
The business is based in Cardiff and the reviews reference work across the broader Lake Macquarie and Hunter/Newcastle region. One reviewer explicitly recommends them for those three areas. If you're outside the immediate Lake Macquarie area, it's worth confirming your suburb when you call, but the service footprint appears wider than Cardiff alone.
What do customers say about pricing?+
Pricing comes up unprompted in a notable number of reviews and is consistently described as competitive — not just reasonable in a polite sense, but specifically lower than quotes from other electricians for the same work. One customer noted they came in well under a competitor's quote. Several others mention being pleasantly surprised by the final bill. That said, one reviewer did raise a concern about billing hours on a second visit, so it's worth discussing the scope and expected time before work starts on larger jobs.
Who are the main electricians on the team and what are they known for?+
Reviews name Steve, Martin, Lachlan, Peter, and Cody across multiple jobs. Steve handles after-hours calls and is praised for being approachable and genuinely helpful under pressure. Martin is frequently mentioned for renovation work, punctuality, and leaving the site clean. Lachlan draws specific praise for explaining technical details clearly and making jobs feel stress-free. Peter and Cody are noted for efficiency and courtesy on single-visit jobs. Kelly in the office is also called out by name for making the initial enquiry process smooth.
Does O'Brien Electrical handle commercial work as well as residential?+
Yes — reviews include commercial jobs such as lighting upgrades, data point installation, and ongoing tag-and-test services for a local takeaway business. One reviewer specifically recommends them for Hunter, Newcastle, and Lake Macquarie commercial work. The majority of reviewed jobs are residential (fans, lights, ovens, circuits, switchboards), but the business clearly handles both. If you have a commercial job, it's worth describing the scope when you call so they can confirm the right team and timeframe.