Gearing up for a home renovation? Good for you! You’re going to need a whole lot of work done, as you’re probably figuring out. One of the most crucial aspects of ensuring a proper and successful home renovation is electrical installation.
From installing necessary power outlets, lighting upgrades, and new application attachments, there’s much to do.
However, when you’re renovating homes, it means electrical systems are already in place. And you could assume that the extra installations could be DIY-ed. So, the question remains: do you need an electrician during a home renovation? Let’s find out.
What Are Your Renovation Needs?
Before you dive headfirst into a home renovation project, it’s imperative you take a closer look at your plans and what electrical requirements you might be needing. Start by asking yourself these questions below,
- Are you adding new rooms or wings or building into or expanding existing spaces?
- Are there any appliances or devices that require new wiring?
- Are you planning to add new outlets, switches, or lighting?
What Can An Electrician Do In This Case?
An electrician can help you determine what’s feasible and make sure all your electrical requirements align with safety standards. They’ll also assess your existing electrical panel to make sure it can handle any additional load.
In other words, they’ll provide a map outlining each and every single of your electrical requirements and help you decide which specific installation you should be prioritizing.
Complete Code Compliance
An electrician is crucial for this step right here. Electrical codes are in place to keep your home safe and up to code, so you don’t run into any legal troubles. But the whole process can be quite complicated to do it all on your own and they have to be frequently updated.
Having an electrician’s service at your disposal in this matter is important because they are trained to stay up-to-date on the latest codes and can make sure that your renovation meets necessary local and national standards. You’ll need them, particularly for,
- Kitchen and bathroom remodel: Rooms or areas with water connections need specific types of outlets and grounding.
So if you’re in an area prone to moisture and humidity like Louisiana or Florida, working with a licensed electrician during a renovation can help you save on costly fines and make sure your new space is both functional and safe.
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- Outdoor renovations: Weather-resistant outlets and GFCI protection are essential for exposed outdoor spaces.
- Older homes: If your home has an outdated wiring system or circuit, an electrician can upgrade it and bring it up to code.
Planning The Layout and Power Needs
Electricians are very important when it comes to planning the layout and informing you about specific electrical requirements and upgrades. They can guide you directly as to what you need and what can be worked on. This design plan helps you plan your budget beforehand and saves you extra costs.
Electricians will consider the number of outlets per room according to the number of devices used. They’ll plan lighting designs that elevate your space’s look and functionality, overlook circuit distribution so your systems don’t overload, and optimize power use.
Wiring and Installation of New Fixtures
When renovating a home, you’ll often discover that you need to add or replace light fixtures, ceiling fans, switchboards, and other attachments. Working with a licensed electrician in this regard, means you’ll be able to run new wiring only where it’s necessary to support any additional installations.
They will install new switches or outlets to accommodate your layout and handle complex fixture projects such as recessed lighting or along the floor lights in staircases or under-the-cabinet in kitchens.
An expert electrician will make sure all the wiring is done safely and properly, meeting necessary code requirements.
Upgrading the Electrical Panel
Older or outdated electrical panels might struggle to support the energy demand of modern systems, especially if you’re installing heavy-energy-consuming components like HVAC systems.
Having a licensed electrician helping you means they can upgrade your panel to keep up with the increased load in present time and future. They will ensure high-quality circuit breakers that align with modern safety codes and balance power distribution to prevent circuits from overloading.
As you’re renovating, updating the electrical panel is key as doing so keeps you, your family and home safe from any electrical dangers down the road.
Routine Testing and Final Inspections
When your renovation is done, and you can hang your home-reno-gig hat, an electrician’s job still remains. They will then thoroughly test every single component, newly installed and existing, to make sure everything works correctly without any interruptions. The testing will include,
- Checking for proper grounding and functionality of all outlets, switches, and fixtures.
- Verify safety standards and codes, such as smoke alarms and GFCI protection standards, are met.
- Assisting with inspections as required by local authorities, giving peace of mind that your renovation is fully compliant.
Some More Long-Term Benefits of Having An Electrician During Home Renovation
There are more benefits to having an electrician during a home renovation than just the key safety and code compliance. Let’s look at them below,
- The risk of electrical fires and hazards due to faulty wiring or overloaded circuits is significantly reduced.
- Energy efficiency is guaranteed with properly installed and distributed circuits and outlets.
- Home value is increased through modern and safe electrical installations that appeal to future buyers.
Conclusion
While it may seem like a DIY-friendly job, hiring a licensed electrician can help you avoid many dangers stemming from the risks associated with electrical work.
We hope our guide has clearly outlined all the reasons you need an electrician while renovating your home and convinced you to make this wise investment.
Share with family and friends looking to renovate their homes and let them acknowledge the importance of having an expert electrician at this time.
