Got a call from a couple in Cashmere few months back who were doing a big kitchen reno. They gutted the whole thing - knocked out walls, moved the sink, totally changed the layout. Problem was they hired a builder who said he could handle the electrical stuff too cause it would save money. Fast forward 3 weeks and nothing was working right. Lights flickering, outlets in wrong spots, rangehood wired up backwards, dishwasher circuit kept tripping. We had to come in and redo pretty much everything cause the builder didnt have a clue about electrical codes or proper wiring methods. Cost them way more than if theyd just hired us from the start.
Renovation electrical work is different from new builds or simple repairs. Your working with existing stuff thats often old and dodgy, trying to integrate new work without breaking whats already there, and dealing with walls and ceilings that are already closed up. Takes experience to do it right.
Kitchen Electrical Renovation
Kitchens are the biggest renovation project most people do. And they need heaps of electrical work cause modern kitchens have so much gear that needs power.
You got your oven, cooktop, rangehood, dishwasher, fridge, microwave, kettle, toaster, coffee machine, maybe a wine fridge or extra freezer. Thats a lot of load on your electrical system. Old kitchens werent set up for all that.
Most old kitchens in christchurch have like 2 or 3 outlets total. Maybe one outlet on each benchtop. Try plugging in your toaster, kettle, and coffee machine at the same time and watch the breaker trip. Or worse, watch the wiring overheat cause its undersized for that load.
When we do kitchen renos we usually add 6-8 outlets minimum. One every meter or so along the benchtop so you can use multiple appliances without unplugging stuff. Under-bench outlets for dishwasher and waste disposal. Dedicated circuits for heavy appliances like ovens and cooktops.
Under-cabinet lighting is popular now. LED strips that light up your work surfaces. We run the wiring behind the cabinets and install switches where you want them. Some people want dimmer switches so they can adjust the brightness.
Rangehoods need proper venting and electrical. Some fancy ones pull serious power cause they got big motors and LED lights. We make sure theyre on circuits that can handle it.
Did a kitchen in Merivale where the owners wanted an induction cooktop. Those things need 32 amp circuits with heavy gauge wiring. Their old house had 15 amp circuits and old wiring that couldnt handle it. We ran new cable from the switchboard to the kitchen and installed a proper isolator switch. Job took longer than they expected cause we had to go through the ceiling and down a wall, but now their cooktop works perfect.
Bathroom Electrical Renovation
Bathrooms are tricky for electrical cause of all the water and moisture. Special rules apply - you cant just put outlets anywhere you want.
Main things in bathrooms that need electrical: lights, extractor fan, heated towel rail, sometimes underfloor heating, maybe a shaver outlet.
Lighting in bathrooms has to be rated for damp conditions. Cant use regular light fixtures cause moisture will get in and corrode stuff. We install proper bathroom-rated lights that are sealed against moisture.
Downlights are common in bathrooms but they gotta be the right type. Regular downlights arent sealed and moisture gets in. We use IP rated downlights that keep moisture out. Same with exhaust fan - needs to be bathroom rated.
Extractor fans are required by code in bathrooms without windows. They gotta vent outside, not into the ceiling space. Seen plenty of renovations where someone just stuck a fan in the ceiling and vented it into the roof cavity. That creates moisture problems and mold.
We wire extractor fans to come on with the light switch and run for a bit after you turn the light off. Helps clear moisture after showers. Or we can put them on separate switches if you prefer.
Heated towel rails are nice in christchurch winters. We install a dedicated circuit for those and put them on timers so they warm up before you shower.
Underfloor heating is getting popular in bathrooms. Nothing worse than stepping on cold tiles after a hot shower. We work with the floor guys to install the heating mats and wire them up with proper thermostats and safety switches.
Shaver outlets are the only outlets allowed in bathrooms and they gotta be certain distance from showers and baths. We install them where code allows.
Living Room and Bedroom Electrical Upgrades
Living rooms and bedrooms need electrical work during renovations too. Maybe not as much as kitchens but still important stuff.
TV and entertainment systems need multiple outlets. TV, sound bar, gaming console, streaming box, maybe a subwoofer. Plus you want outlets for lamps and phone chargers. We install outlet clusters where your entertainment center goes so you dont have cords running everywhere.
Data points are big now. People want ethernet jacks for their TVs and computers cause wifi isnt always reliable for streaming and gaming. We run CAT6 cable through walls to wherever you need network connections.
Lighting upgrades make a huge difference in living spaces. Replacing old ceiling lights with modern fixtures, adding dimmer switches, installing wall sconces or picture lights. All that needs proper wiring and sometimes new circuits if your adding lots of lights.
Feature lighting is popular - LED strips behind TVs or under shelves, recessed lighting in alcoves, spotlights for artwork. We run the wiring hidden in walls and ceilings so you dont see it.
Bedrooms need outlets on both sides of the bed for lamps and phone chargers. Ceiling fans are nice in summer. Some people want USB outlets built into their bedside power points which we can do.
Had a couple in Fendalton renovating their master bedroom who wanted their lighting controlled by their phones. We installed smart switches and dimmers that connected to their wifi. Now they can turn lights on and off from bed or set schedules. Pretty cool setup.
Adding Outlets and Switches
One of the most common requests during renovations is adding more outlets and switches. Old houses just dont have enough.
Adding outlets means running new cable from existing circuits or sometimes adding new circuits if the existing ones are maxed out. We fish cable through walls and ceilings, cut in new outlet boxes, wire everything up properly.
In walls with insulation fishing cable is harder. Sometimes we gotta go through the ceiling or under the floor to get where we need to go. Takes longer but we figure it out.
When walls are already open during renovations its way easier. We can see exactly where to run cable and dont have to fish anything. Thats why the best time to do electrical work is during the renovation before the gib goes back up.
Switching circuits around is common too. Maybe you want a light controlled from two different switches instead of one. Or you want to split one circuit into two so you can control different lights separately. We can reconfigure your switching however you want.
Dimmer switches are great for living rooms and bedrooms. Control the brightness to set the mood. We install dimmers that work with LED bulbs cause old school dimmers dont work right with LEDs.
Switchboard Upgrades During Renovations
A lot of times during renovations we discover the switchboard needs upgrading. Its often old and cant handle the extra load from new appliances and circuits.
Signs your switchboard needs replacing: its got old ceramic fuses instead of circuit breakers, its rusty or corroded, breakers trip all the time, theres no room to add new circuits, it doesnt have RCD safety switches.
Modern switchboards have circuit breakers that you can just reset when they trip. Old ones had ceramic fuses that you had to replace. Pain in the butt and not as safe.
RCD safety switches are required on all circuits now. They protect you from electric shock. If your switchboard is too old to fit RCDs it needs replacing.
Upgrading a switchboard takes most of a day. We shut off power to your house, remove the old board, install the new one, transfer all the circuits over, test everything. During renovations its good timing cause your living spaces are already torn apart anyway.
Did a villa in St Albans that was being renovated top to bottom. Their switchboard was from the 1960s with old rewirable fuses. We installed a new 18-circuit board with RCDs and plenty of space for future expansion. While we were at it we labeled everything properly so they know what each circuit does.
Lighting Design and Installation
Lighting makes or breaks a renovation. Good lighting makes spaces feel bigger and more inviting. Bad lighting makes even nice rooms feel dingy.
We help people plan their lighting during renovations. How many lights, what type, where to put them, what switches control what. Get it right from the start and your happy with it forever.
Downlights are popular cause they look clean and modern. We install them in grids or patterns depending on room size and shape. LED downlights are the way to go - use way less power than old halogen ones and dont generate as much heat.
Pendant lights work great over kitchen islands and dining tables. We install the electrical boxes in the ceiling at the right heights and run cable to where your switches are.
Wall lights and sconces add character. Good for hallways and bathrooms where ceiling height is limited.
Track lighting is flexible cause you can position the lights wherever you want along the track. Good for art galleries or retail spaces but some people use it in homes too.
Outdoor lighting during renovations is important too. Deck lights, pathway lights, security lights, feature lighting for gardens. We run weatherproof cable to outdoor locations and install proper outdoor rated fixtures.
Wiring for Home Offices
With more people working from home, adding or upgrading home offices is a big renovation project.
Home offices need heaps of outlets. Computer, monitors, printer, phone charger, desk lamp, maybe a heater or fan. We install multiple outlets at desk height so you dont have cords running down to floor level.
Data points are must for offices. Hardwired ethernet is way more reliable than wifi for video calls and big file transfers. We run CAT6 cable from your router to your office.
Good lighting in offices prevents eye strain. Overhead lights plus task lighting on your desk. We wire up both and put them on separate switches so you can control them independently.
Some people want dedicated circuits for their office so work gear doesnt interfere with household stuff. Keeps your computer from shutting down when someone uses the microwave.
Surge protection is smart for expensive computer gear. We can install whole-circuit surge protectors that protect everything on that circuit from power spikes.
Laundry Room Electrical
Laundries often get overlooked during renovations but they need proper electrical too.
Washing machines and dryers need dedicated outlets. Dryers especially cause they pull heavy power. We install proper circuits rated for the appliance load.
If your stacking a washer and dryer vertically we make sure outlets are positioned where you can reach them even with appliances in place.
Laundry rooms need good lighting cause your trying to see stains and sort clothes. We install bright LED lights, sometimes with multiple switches so you can light different areas.
Some people want outlets for irons and clothes steamers. We add those at convenient heights.
If your adding a laundry sink we make sure theres a GFCI protected outlet nearby cause water and electricity dont mix.
Fixing Existing Electrical Problems
During renovations we often find electrical problems that need fixing. Stuff thats been wrong for years but gets discovered when walls are opened up.
Common problems: wiring with damaged insulation, junction boxes buried in walls where you cant access them, circuits with too many things on them, wiring that doesnt meet code, missing earth connections.
We fix all that as part of the renovation. Rewire problem areas, install proper junction boxes that are accessible, split overloaded circuits, bring everything up to current code.
Sometimes the problems are worse than expected and the job takes longer. We let homeowners know as soon as we find issues so they can decide how to handle it.
Had a house in Linwood where we opened up a wall during a reno and found old cloth-covered wiring that was brittle and falling apart. That wiring ran to the whole upstairs. We had to rewire the entire second floor cause it was dangerous to leave it. Homeowners werent expecting that cost but they understood it was necessary.
Working Around Insulation
Insulation makes electrical work during renovations harder. Cant just run cables wherever cause insulation is in the way.
We work carefully around insulation so we dont mess it up. Sometimes we gotta remove sections to run cable then put it back. Other times we route cables through areas that dont have insulation.
When walls have spray foam insulation its especially tricky cause you cant fish cable through it. We might have to run conduit on wall surfaces or go different routes.
Downlights in insulated ceilings need to be IC rated - that means they can have insulation around them without overheating. Regular downlights arent safe with insulation touching them. We only install IC rated ones.
Code Compliance and Inspections
All electrical work during renovations has to meet building code. When we do work we apply for permits and arrange inspections.
Inspectors check our work to make sure its safe and compliant. If they find issues we fix them and get re-inspected.
Some people try to skip permits and inspections to save money and time. Bad idea. If your electrical work isnt signed off it can cause problems when you sell your house. Insurance might not cover claims if theres unpermitted electrical work.
We handle all the permit and inspection stuff. You dont have to deal with council paperwork.
Timeline and Coordination
Electrical work during renovations has to be coordinated with other trades. Plumbers, builders, plasterers - everyone has to work in the right order.
We usually come in twice. First visit is rough-in when walls are still open. We run all the cables and install boxes. Then we come back after walls are closed and painted to install outlets, switches, and light fixtures.
Good builders know to coordinate trades properly. Bad builders dont and everyone ends up getting in each others way.
We try to be flexible and work around other trades schedules. But we need certain things done before we can finish our work - like walls need to be closed and painted before we install outlet covers and switches.
Average kitchen renovation electrical takes 2-3 days for rough-in and 1 day for finals. Whole house renovation might take 1-2 weeks depending on size.
Cost of Renovation Electrical Work
People always want to know what electrical work will cost during their renovation. Hard to say exactly without seeing the job but here are rough numbers.
Kitchen electrical renovation - $2500-5000 depending on how much your adding and if switchboard needs upgrading.
Bathroom electrical - $1000-2000 for basic stuff, more if your adding heated floors or lots of fancy lighting.
Adding outlets and switches - $150-300 per outlet depending on how hard they are to run cable to.
Switchboard upgrade - $2000-3500 for full replacement with modern board and RCDs.
Whole house renovation electrical - $8000-15000+ depending on house size and scope of work.
Fixing existing problems adds to cost cause we dont know whats hiding in walls until we open them up.
Why Use Licensed Electricians for Renovations
Some builders and handymen do electrical work during renovations to keep costs down. Problem is they usually arent licensed electricians and dont know proper codes and methods.
We see the results all the time - wrong wire sizes, outlets in wrong places, no proper earth connections, junction boxes buried where you cant access them, circuits overloaded, safety switches missing.
That stuff might work fine for a while but eventually causes problems. Outlets stop working, breakers trip, wiring overheats. Then you call us to fix it and it costs more than doing it right from the start.
Licensed electricians know the codes, have the right tools, carry insurance, and guarantee our work. Worth paying for proper work.