Are you renovating? How exciting!
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of choosing paint colours and floor coverings.
But, don’t forget to put some careful consideration into other crucial elements like your home’s electrical system.
Whether you are upgrading, changing your layout or adding an extension, getting your electrics prepared for change is essential for both safety and functionality.
So, how can you do that?
Well, keep reading to find out some of the key preparation steps to take before getting too far into your renovation project.
Why Preparation Is Important
Renovating is a great way to make your home more comfortable to live in and it can also add value. But, only if you handle the different aspects correctly!
You need to consider the inner workings of your home, just as much as the layout and aesthetics. If you don’t dedicate some time to planning and preparing your electrics, you might end up with an electrical system that can’t keep up with the modern home you are designing.
But, there are practical reasons too. When you take the time to improve your electrical systems you can:
- Create a safe home by preventing switchboard overloading and minimising electrical hazards
- Make your home super smart with modern technology, automation and security
- Future-proof your home by ensuring your wiring is up to modern electrical demands
- Comply with electrical safety standards in line with NZ building codes
With the correct preparation, you can ensure your renovation produces a house that functions as good as it looks!
How To Prepare For Electrical Renovation
You’ve decided to renovate and know you need to get prepared, these are the basic steps that you should follow to ensure your electrical system will align with the needs of your home:
Step 1: Consult a Qualified Electrician
As soon as you have an idea about what your renovation might involve, it’s time to connect with a qualified electrician like the team here at Retrolec. Involving a professional from the start will make the whole process much smoother.
Before the hammers are even lifted, an electrician can assess your home’s existing electrical system, identify any potential issues, and ensure your proposed electrical upgrades are integrated smoothly into your renovation plan.
Beyond that, your electrician can help determine whether your current system can handle the additional load of your renovation plans or whether electrical upgrades are needed. Early consultation can help avoid nasty surprises, such as discovering your switchboard or wiring isn’t up to code, which could delay the project or increase costs.
Step 2: Assess What You Have
As part of the consultation with your electrician, you will want to assess your current electrical capacity and whether your existing electrical system can support your renovation plans. Renovations often come with the modernisation of your lighting, appliances and other technologies. These gadgets generally require more power than your home’s current electrics can provide.
When it comes to renovating, there are often common electrical upgrades involved, such as:
Switchboard: The electrical hub of your home, a switchboard is responsible for distributing power throughout the house. If it is outdated or lacks the required capacity, it will need to be upgraded to safely handle the new electrical load. Your electrician can assess whether you are able to add new circuits to an existing switchboard, or if the whole thing needs replacing.
Wiring: If you have an older home, you may find that your wiring is outdated, therefore unsuitable for today’s electrical requirements. Your electrician may recommend the partial or complete rewiring of your home to ensure safety and energy efficiency.
Step 3: Consider Your Electrical Needs
Renovations often involve creating new spaces or rearranging existing ones. That means your current electrical setup may not be right for the space any more. Often, you’ll find you need to add or relocate power points and modify your lighting setup.
To make sure you cover all your bases, think about the electrical needs of each room. Consider major appliances like ovens and fridges in the kitchen, as well as benchtop powerpoints for smaller appliances. Bathrooms will need safety compliant outlets as they are wet areas, and living spaces will need practical outlet placement for where the technology is going to be used.
Lighting is a crucial component of any renovation as it impacts how you can use a space. You’ll want to work with your electrician to design a lighting plan that creates functionality and ambience. Think task lighting for the kitchen and bathrooms, practical downlighting for your main areas, mood lighting in the living spaces and bedrooms, and ensure that it is all energy efficient.
Step 4: Going Smart?
A renovation is an excellent opportunity to incorporate smart home technologies into your life. While you are planning out your electrics, consider integrating systems like smart lighting, heating, security cameras, integrated technology and the various ways you can automate it all.
Not only can going smart make life easier, but it can offer heaps of other benefits. Energy efficiency, convenience and long term cost savings are all possible. Chatting with your electrician about what’s possible in the planning phase will ensure you maximise the smart opportunities and that your new electrical setup will be compatible with your vision.
Step 5: Keeping Legal (And Safe)
New Zealand has strict building codes and electrical regulations to ensure the safety and efficiency of every residential electrical system. Any electrical work done as part of your renovation must comply with these standards.
Working with a qualified electrician will make that happen. They will be able to ensure that all wiring, power points, and circuits meet current safety regulations. Not only does this mean your renovation will meet code and prevent potential hazards, but it also ensures the job is done right.
Step 6: Sort The Budget
Like anything, there is a cost attached to electrical upgrades, so you will want to make sure you budget accordingly. These costs will be an investment into the future safety and efficiency of your home, so it will be money well spent!
Work with your electrician to get an accurate assessment of the costs involved and ensure these are factored into your overall renovation budget.
Choosing The Right Electrician For Your Renovation
When it comes to renovations, electrical work is one of the most critical things to get right. Which is why you need a skilled and experienced electrician in your corner. This will ensure your electrical system will be well equipped to handle the increased demands of your newly renovated space.
At Retrolec, we specialise in preparing and upgrading electrical systems for residential renovations throughout Auckland. Whether you are expanding your kitchen, modernising your living space, or adding an entirely new room, our experienced electricians will ensure your home’s electrical system is ready to meet your needs safely and efficiently.
Contact us today to schedule an inspection and discuss your renovation plans—we’re here to help you turn your dream home into a reality!
