Building a new commercial property or doing a fitout? You need proper electrical installation from the start. We do commercial electrical installations all over Christchurch - offices warehouses retail shops factories the lot.
I just finished a job for a new medical center in Riccarton. Two story building with consulting rooms reception waiting areas lab spaces. We did the whole electrical install - main switchboard distribution boards lighting power points data cabling emergency lighting fire alarms. Took about six weeks but now they got a modern electrical system thats safe and reliable.
New Commercial Building Electrical
When you're building a new commercial property the electrical needs to be planned right from the start. We work with architects builders and project managers to design and install the electrical system.
First step is figuring out how much power you need. Small office might only need 100 amps but a warehouse with machinery could need 400 amps or more. We help work out what size supply you need and coordinate with the power company to get it connected.
Then we design where everything goes - switchboards sub-boards lighting circuits power circuits data cabling. Got to plan it all before walls go up cause its way harder to change things later.
Main Switchboard Installation
The main switchboard is the heart of your electrical system. Everything runs from there. We install modern switchboards with proper RCD protection circuit breakers surge protection all the safety features.
For bigger buildings you need sub-boards too. Maybe one for each floor or one for the office area and another for the workshop. Keeps everything organized and makes it easier to isolate circuits if you need to.
At a new warehouse in Hornby we installed a 400 amp main board with four sub-boards - one for the office one for each side of the warehouse and one for the yard lighting. Works real well and everything is clearly labeled.
Office Fitout Electrical
Office fitouts are big business around Christchurch specially with all the new buildings going up. When a company moves into a new office space they need the electrical set up for how theyre gonna use it.
Power points at every desk. Data cabling for computers and phones. Meeting room AV systems. Kitchen power for fridges microwaves coffee machines. Server room power and cooling. Lighting throughout.
We work with the interior designers and furniture people to coordinate where everything goes. Power and data outlets usually go in the floor or in desk mounted boxes so you dont have cables running everywhere.
Did a nice office fitout in the CBD last year. Open plan office with 45 workstations plus meeting rooms kitchen staff room server room. LED lighting throughout with motion sensors in the meeting rooms to save power. Came out really good.
Commercial Lighting Installation
Lighting is huge in commercial spaces. Offices need good even lighting so people can work without eyestrain. Warehouses need bright lighting for safety. Retail shops need lighting that makes products look good.
Most commercial places use LED now. Way more efficient than old fluorescent tubes and they last way longer. You can get LED panels for offices LED high-bays for warehouses LED downlights for retail.
We also do emergency lighting. Thats legally required in commercial buildings. Battery backup lights that come on if power fails so people can get out safely.
In a retail shop in Tower Junction we installed track lighting with adjustable spots so they can highlight different products. Plus general downlights for overall illumination. Looks professional and the shop owner can adjust the lighting how they want.
Retail Space Electrical
Retail shops have specific electrical needs. Display lighting to show off products. Power for POS systems. Wiring for security systems and CCTV. Sometimes special circuits for refrigerated displays or cooking equipment if its a food shop.
Shop lighting needs to create the right atmosphere. Too bright and harsh feels like a warehouse. Too dim and people cant see the products properly. We help design lighting that works.
For clothing shops we often use track lighting cause you can adjust it easily. For supermarkets or big box stores its LED high-bays. For small boutique shops might be a mix of downlights and feature lights.
Three-Phase Power Installation
Lots of commercial and industrial places need three-phase power for machinery air conditioning big ovens that kind of thing. Three-phase gives you more power and runs big equipment more efficiently.
Installing three-phase means running bigger cables installing three-phase switchboards and making sure everything is balanced across the three phases. Its more complex than single-phase but necessary for lots of businesses.
We installed three-phase for a bakery in Addington. They needed it for their big commercial ovens and dough mixers. Without three-phase they couldnt run the equipment they needed.
Warehouse Electrical Installation
Warehouses need high-bay lighting throughout usually LED these days. Power for forklifts to charge. Maybe power for conveyor systems or other machinery. Good lighting in the office and staff areas.
Safety is big in warehouses. Emergency lighting and exit signs. Smoke detectors. Sometimes fire suppression systems. All that electrical needs to be installed and certified.
For a new warehouse in Wigram we installed LED high-bays throughout - saves them heaps on power compared to old metal halide lights. Plus we did three-phase power for their pallet wrapper and forklift chargers office lighting and power security lighting around the perimeter.
Working With Other Trades
On commercial builds were always coordinating with other trades. Builders need to know where our cables are running so they dont cut through them. Plumbers need to know where our switchboards are going. HVAC guys need power for air conditioning units.
We're used to working on big sites with lots of trades. We show up when we're supposed to we do our work clean and professional and we communicate with the other trades so the job runs smooth.
Fire and Security System Wiring
Commercial buildings need fire alarms smoke detectors emergency lighting. We do the wiring for all that. The fire alarm company provides the panels and detectors but we run the cables and do the electrical connections.
Security systems too - CCTV cameras access control systems intruder alarms. We run the cables provide power mount the cameras wire everything up. Then the security company programs it all.
At a new gym in Sockburn we wired up their whole security system. 16 CCTV cameras around the building access control on all the doors plus power for their alarm panel. All the cables hidden in walls and ceilings so it looks tidy.
Data and Communications Cabling
Every commercial building needs data cabling these days. Network points at desks phone points server rooms wifi access points.
We run Cat6 cabling from the comms room to wherever its needed. Install patch panels and cable management in the server room. Mount wall plates at desks and in meeting rooms. Test everything to make sure its all working.
Some places need fiber optic too specially if theyre connecting multiple buildings or running long distances. We can install fiber and terminate it properly.
Power and Lighting for Car Parks
Commercial properties with car parks need outdoor lighting for safety and security. Pole lights or wall mounted lights. All weatherproof all on timers or sensors so they come on at night automatically.
Sometimes need power for EV charging stations too. More and more businesses are putting in EV chargers for staff or customers.
We did the car park lighting for a new office building in Addington. LED pole lights throughout the car park plus some wall mounted lights near the entrances. All on a timer and photocell so they come on at dusk and off at dawn.
Upgrades to Existing Commercial Buildings
Not every job is a brand new building. Sometimes we upgrade electrical in existing commercial properties. Old switchboards get replaced. More circuits added. Lighting upgraded to LED. Power increased to handle more equipment.
Upgrading existing buildings can be trickier than new builds cause you're working around people who are trying to run a business. We plan the work to minimize disruption and often do switchboard upgrades on weekends or after hours.
Temporary Power for Construction Sites
During construction you need temporary power for tools equipment site offices. We can set up temporary power boards with RCD protection so the builders and other trades can work safely.
Once construction is done we remove all the temp gear and commission the permanent electrical system.
Testing and Certification
All commercial electrical work needs to be tested and certified. We test everything - insulation resistance earth loop impedance RCD trip times polarity the works.
Then we provide electrical certificates that prove the installation meets the standards. You need these certificates for council sign-off and for insurance.
We're licensed electrical inspectors so we can certify our own work. Saves time cause you dont need to get someone else in to inspect.
Council Inspections and Code Compliance
Commercial electrical work gets inspected by the council building inspector. They check that everythings done to code and meets the building consent.
We make sure our work passes inspection first time. We know the codes and standards and we install everything properly. Saves you time and money cause you're not waiting for re-inspections.
Electrical Design and Planning
For bigger projects we can help with electrical design and planning. Work out load calculations. Design the distribution system. Plan lighting layouts. Put together specifications and drawings.
Sometimes architects or building designers have already done electrical drawings but often they're pretty basic. We can take those and develop them into detailed installation plans.
How Much Does Commercial Electrical Installation Cost
Commercial electrical costs vary heaps depending on the size and type of building. Small office fitout might be $10,000 to $30,000. Big warehouse could be $100,000 or more. Retail shops somewhere in between.
We can give you a quote based on your plans and specifications. For new builds we usually quote per point or per square meter depending on the project.
Best thing is to involve us early in the planning. We can help design the electrical to meet your needs without overbuilding and wasting money.
Commercial vs Residential Electrical
Commercial electrical is different from residential. Bigger loads three-phase power different codes and regulations. You need electricians who are experienced with commercial work.
We've been doing commercial electrical around Christchurch for years. We know the commercial codes. We know how to work on construction sites. We know what inspectors are looking for.
Areas We Cover
We do commercial electrical installations all over Christchurch and Canterbury. CBD Riccarton Hornby Wigram Sockburn Tower Junction Addington Rolleston Lincoln wherever your project is.
Lots of commercial development happening around Christchurch specially in the industrial areas and the city rebuild. We work on everything from small shops to big warehouses to multi-story office buildings.
Why Choose WeDo Electrical for Commercial Installation
We've got the experience and the people to handle commercial projects properly. We show up on time we work efficiently we coordinate with other trades and we get the job done right.
We're licensed and insured for commercial work. We provide proper documentation and certification. And we stand behind our work.
Our pricing is competitive and transparent. We give detailed quotes so you know what you're paying for. No surprise extras or hidden charges.
We communicate well. You'll know whats happening with your project and if we hit any issues we let you know straight away and work out solutions.