Electrical Services for Home Remodeling and New Construction
Whether you're building new or renovating, electrical work should be planned from the start—not treated as an afterthought. Here's what homeowners need to know about electrical requirements for construction projects.
New Construction: Getting It Right the First Time
New builds offer the luxury of planning electrical systems from scratch. Key considerations:
Panel Sizing
- Standard recommendation: 200-amp service minimum for new homes
- Consider 400-amp for larger homes or those with high electrical demands
- Future-proof: Easier and cheaper to oversize now than upgrade later
Outlet and Circuit Planning
- Kitchen: Minimum two 20-amp circuits for countertop outlets, dedicated circuits for major appliances
- Bathrooms: GFCI-protected 20-amp circuits
- Bedrooms: Multiple outlets, AFCI protection required
- Home office: Dedicated circuits for computer equipment
- Garage: At least one 20-amp circuit, consider 240V for tools or future EV charger
Structured Wiring
Modern homes benefit from: - Cat6 ethernet to each room - Coax for TV locations - Central distribution panel - Smart home infrastructure (hub location, power, connectivity)
Remodeling: Working with What You Have
Renovations present unique challenges:
Before You Start
- Assess existing panel capacity
- Identify circuits serving the renovation area
- Determine if upgrades are needed to support new loads
- Plan for temporary power during work
Common Upgrades During Remodels
- Kitchen remodel: Usually requires new circuits, may need panel upgrade
- Bathroom addition: New circuits, GFCI protection, exhaust fan wiring
- Basement finish: Multiple circuits, proper outlet spacing, code-compliant lighting
- Addition: Often requires service upgrade to handle new loads
Timing: When to Bring in the Electrician
Before demolition: - Assess existing wiring - Identify what's staying and what's going - Plan temporary power
During rough-in: - Run all new wiring before walls are closed - Install boxes, panels, and conduit - Coordinate with other trades
Before drywall: - Rough inspection required - Make changes while walls are open
At trim-out: - Install devices, fixtures, and covers - Final testing and inspection
Working with Contractors
If you're using a general contractor:
- Ask who does the electrical work
- Verify electrician is licensed and insured
- Ensure permits are pulled for electrical work
- Request to meet the electrician before work starts
Code Compliance Matters
Building codes protect you:
- Inspections catch problems before walls close
- Proper work is documented for insurance and resale
- Non-compliant work can void insurance and complicate sales
Budget Planning
Electrical costs vary by project scope:
| Project Type | Electrical Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | $2,000 - $8,000 |
| Bathroom addition | $1,500 - $4,000 |
| Basement finish | $3,000 - $10,000 |
| Major addition | $5,000 - $15,000+ |
| Whole-house rewire | $8,000 - $20,000+ |
Our Construction Services
We work with homeowners and contractors on projects of all sizes:
- New construction electrical
- Remodel wiring and upgrades
- Service upgrades
- Permit coordination and inspections
- Smart home pre-wire
Contact us early in your planning process—good electrical design starts before the first wall comes down.