Renovation electrical work

A renovation is the easiest time to get the electrics right, because the walls are open. P4 Electrical does the electrical work for kitchen, bathroom and whole-room renovations across Logan, Ipswich and the southside of Brisbane, covering both the rough-in and the fit-off.

What the job involves

Renovation electrical work usually happens in two visits, with the other trades in between.

Rough-in. Before the walls and ceilings are closed up, cables are run to wherever the lights, switches, power points and appliances will go. This is the stage where moving a power point means changing a line on the plan, not cutting into a finished wall.

Fit-off. Once the plastering, tiling, cabinetry and painting are done, we come back to fit the power points, switches and light fittings, connect the appliances and restore power.

Depending on the room, the work can include:

New circuits for ovens, cooktops and rangehoods
Power points along benches, inside pantries and at the island
Downlights, pendants and LED strip lighting under cabinets
Bathroom lighting and exhaust fans
Moving or removing old wiring that is in the way of the new layout

If the switchboard has no room for the new circuits, it may need upgrading as part of the job. See switchboard upgrades.

Getting the timing right

Call early. The electrical layout should be settled before the rough-in, which means before the walls close. A few things to decide while you still have drawings rather than a finished room:

Where every appliance goes, and its brand and model if you know it
Where the power points sit along the benches and behind furniture
Which lights go on which switches, and where the switches go
Where the under-cabinet lighting runs and how it is switched

P4 works Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm. If a builder, cabinet maker or tiler is running the job, it helps to share their schedule so the rough-in and fit-off fit around the other trades.

What you need to know

Electrical work in Queensland must be done by a licensed electrician, and DIY electrical work is illegal. That applies during a renovation too, including running cable for someone else to connect later.

P4 does the electrical side of a renovation, not the renovation itself. Heritage-listed homes are fine too, it just doesn't come up much, and Jamie can do home automation if it's part of your plan.

What you get

12 months workmanship warranty, plus the manufacturer's warranty on products
An invoice and a certificate for the electrical work

Our services come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law.

Common questions

When should I get an electrician involved?

Before anything is pulled out, ideally while the plans are still being drawn. Changes are easy before the rough-in and harder after the walls are closed.

Can you work with my builder?

Yes. We can fit our visits around the builder's or cabinet maker's schedule, within weekday hours. Put them in touch early.

Do you quote from plans?

Plans help a lot. We may still want to see the space before we quote, especially in an older house.

Will I need a switchboard upgrade?

It depends on how much the renovation adds and how much room the current board has. We'll tell you when we quote and include it if it's needed.

For smaller changes that don't involve opening walls, see lighting and power upgrades or appliance replacement. P4 works on renovations in Logan, Ipswich and the southside of Brisbane.