It can be difficult choosing the right tradesperson. Simply looking at a website may still leave you feeling a little hesitant. We hope by reading something about us, how we started and our team we can make you feel a little more at ease.
If you would like to see what other customers are saying about us, please visit our testimonials page.
We value your time, please let us know if we can help in any way and thank you for visiting our site!
Thornbury Electrics was started by Nick & Lisa Thornbury in 1987 operating from the family home in Kensington. With one young son and another on the way, Nick saw a need to both provide for his growing family and for a South Perth based electrical company.
Drawing on the examples set during his apprenticeship with R&R Electrics, Thornbury Electrics were established on old fashioned values of quality workmanship, charging fair & honest prices and building relationships with customers, businesses & suppliers alike.
With the help of a small loan from family, a panel van, ladders & tools and stock were purchased. We were in business! Lisa handled the phone calls and office work in between looking after the family. Long before the days of computers and mobile phones, all invoices & quotes were hand written. Thankfully advances in technology have made us increasingly efficient & now almost paperless. Jobs are tracked and invoiced from iPads & text messages sent to customers advising of arrival time.
Moving a business may be even more traumatic than moving house. So many bits and pieces kept just in case but moving was necessary as the business grew taking us from the first “proper” workshop on the corner of Canning Hwy & Douglas Ave to a factory unit in close by Carlisle where the office and workshop are today.
Over the years, while we haven’t strayed far from the core business of electrical contracting, we have been involved in pretty much everything electrical. Needing to adapt to changes in the economy and technology has meant looking for & taking up new opportunities. We branched out into appliance repair over 15 years ago, soon becoming the number one service agent for several leading brands. We have been fortunate enough to be involved in:
- Wiring and commissioning of air conditioning from domestic evaporative units to large scale commercial projects for private schools & colleges, hospitals & health campuses, shopping centres, retirement homes, libraries, council buildings & Perth Mint.
- Luxury new homes, renovations and additions for some of Perth leading building companies & architects
- Installation and maintenance of street lighting for the City of South Perth & Town of Mosman Park
- Installation of thousands of pay phones throughout the metro area (now we’re showing our age!)
- Rewiring and maintenance of housing for Main Roads & many real estate agents
- Repairs to electric and gas kitchen & laundry appliances for some of the world’s leading brands
- Maintenance, refurbishments and installations for churches, clubs, hotels and professional businesses throughout Perth including Government House
- Volunteer electrical work for emergency housing refurbishment – Mission Australia
- Providing service to the many residential customers who entrust us with their electrical work
Since the start we have been committed to the training of apprentices and school based work experience programs. While this has meant its fair share of lost tools, dropped screw trays and time off due to sport related injuries, it has been a pleasure to see many young people get a start in the industry. Over the last 30 years we have employed over 20 apprentices, 50 something tradespeople plus 20 wonderful admin support staff. Mention also has to be made of Paul, Ben & Megan Thornbury who have contributed a great deal, mostly voluntarily! We have been and are very fortunate to work with fantastic, dedicated and loyal staff who have been instrumental in the business thriving.
Today the business remains family owned and operated. Paul took over as Managing Director in 2014 and continues to ensure the business has the same focus on quality, professionalism and great customer service.
If you would like to see what other customers are saying about us, please visit our testimonials page
For information on our range of services, contact our friendly team today. Please use the contact us page or call (08) 9367 8840.
Meet our team
Paul
Managing Director
Paul spent many school holidays working in the business although digging trenches was not his favourite pastime. After completing year 12 at Wesley College, he worked in various industries and travelled throughout Australia. Feeling it was time for further education, he trained under Nick as an Appliance Repair Technician gaining his restricted electrical license and gas servicing license. The travel bug bit again and he set off to climb to Everest Base Camp and travel throughout Asia. Returning to Perth in 2011 his training was put to good use being employed on the Gorgon Project and on gas rigs. The fly in fly out lifestyle was taking its toll so Paul returned to Perth, to Thornbury Electrics and cemented his relationship with Margaret, buying their first home and getting engaged. He has completed the Curtin Growth Program and is always seeking out the latest training programs to ensure his and staff skills are up to date. Paul’s friendly & easy going nature puts customers at ease and along with his technical skills, are key components of the company’s success.
Kael
Electrician
Since joining Thornbury Electrics in early 2015 Kael’s hard working & friendly nature was immediately apparent. His apprenticeship gave him experience with new housing and transportables as well as all types of domestic & commercial work. Playing football for Swan Districts unfortunately ended with an injury. Kael now is a keen Manchester United fan.
Ed
Apprentice Electrician
The youngest addition to our team is our apprentice Ed. Completing school as a boarder at Wesley College, Ed started Sports Science at uni but luckily for us decided on a career as an electrician & completed a pre-apprenticeship course. One of 4 boys, Ed helps out when he can with harvesting at his family’s 3rd generation farm in Newdegate.
Michael
Appliance Repair Technician
Michael first started with us in 2016 as a work experience placement when the opportunity for a career change arose. We were lucky enough to offer him a role as an Appliance Technician where he spent over 12 months shadowing Paul and learning the ropes.
During his spare time, he plays in a band and likes to spend time with his German Shepherd, Monny.
Levi
General Dogsbody
Levi is responsible for office security, shredding paper and boxes ready for recycling and staff morale.