Replace it, or repair it? A straight answer.
When an apartment intercom starts failing, the committee’s first question is always the same: is this a quick fix, or is it time to replace the whole system? Here’s how we decide it on site across Brisbane and the Gold Coast — no upsell, just the honest call.
Book a free diagnostic site survey →
Repair usually makes sense when…
- The system is under ~7–8 years old and the brand is still supported (Aiphone GT/JO, Akuvox, 2N).
- The fault is localised — one handset, one door station, a power supply, a cut/damaged cable.
- Spare parts are still available for the model.
- The building’s cabling is sound and you’re happy with the current feature set (no need for app entry).
See our intercom repair service →
Replacement is the smarter spend when…
- The system is 10+ years old, discontinued, or parts are no longer made (common with older analogue/4-wire systems).
- You’re getting repeat faults — money keeps going into a system near end-of-life.
- Residents want smartphone-app entry, video, or remote access the old system can’t do.
- You’re doing a lift integration, access-control upgrade, or a larger building refurbishment anyway.
- Multiple door stations/handsets are failing — the per-unit repair cost approaches replacement.
See replacement options & per-unit pricing →
The 5-minute decision checklist
| Question | Lean repair | Lean replace |
|---|---|---|
| Age of system | < 7–8 yrs | 10+ yrs |
| Brand still supported / parts available | Yes | No |
| Fault | One-off, localised | Repeat / multiple |
| Want app / video / remote entry | No | Yes |
| Other works planned (lift, access, reno) | No | Yes |
| Repair cost vs replacement | Small fraction | Approaching replacement |
If you’re ticking mostly the right-hand column, replacement will cost less over five years than repeatedly patching a dying system.
What about cost?
Repairs are quoted per fault; replacements are quoted per unit so the levy impact is clear before you commit. For body-corporate buildings we provide an AGM-ready, three-tier proposal either way. See our pricing →
We’ll tell you straight
On the diagnostic survey we’ll tell you honestly whether a repair buys you years or just weeks. If a fix is the right call, we fix it. If you’re throwing good money after bad, we’ll show you the replacement numbers side by side.
Book a free diagnostic site survey →
Frequently asked questions
Can you get parts for my old intercom?
Sometimes — it depends on brand and age. We check availability on the survey and tell you if the model is discontinued.
Is app-based entry worth replacing for?
For most apartment buildings, yes — it removes handset hardware costs over time and residents strongly prefer it. We’ll show the trade-off.
How disruptive is a full replacement?
We stage it so the building is never left without secure entry; larger buildings are cut over in phases.