What we do on new builds and renovations
Our work on a renovation or new home usually covers everything from the point of supply to the last light switch. That can mean a new or upgraded switchboard, new circuits for the kitchen and laundry, lighting throughout, power points, data and TV cabling, exhaust fans, ceiling fans and the dedicated circuits big appliances need.
On a renovation we also deal with whatever is already in the walls. Plenty of Gold Coast homes from the 1970s and 1980s still have old cabling, ceramic fuses or boards with no room for extra circuits. We tell you what we find, what has to change for the new work to comply, and what can safely stay.
Plan the electrical early
The cheapest time to add a power point is before the plasterboard goes up. Once walls are sheeted and painted, every change means cutting, patching and repainting. That’s why we like to sit down with you, or walk the frame with you, before rough-in starts.
Things worth thinking about at the planning stage:
- Where the TV, couch and bed will go, so power and data end up in the right spot
- Kitchen bench power, including the island, appliance garage and pantry
- Lighting layout and switching, including two-way switches for stairs and long halls
- Ceiling fan positions in bedrooms and living areas
- Outdoor power for the patio, barbecue area and garden
- Future plans like an EV charger, solar, a pool or air conditioning
If you’re not sure yet, we can run conduit or leave a spare circuit so the future job is easier. It’s a small cost now that saves a lot of mess later. Our renovation electrical checklist is a handy starting point before we meet.
Rough-in, fit-off and the stages in between
Most electrical work on a build or renovation happens in two main stages. Rough-in is when the frame is open. We run cables, fit switch and power point brackets, set out downlight positions and install any conduit. Fit-off comes after the plasterer and painter, when we fit the switches, power points, lights and fans and connect everything at the board.
On a renovation there is often a third stage at the start: disconnecting and making safe the old wiring before demolition. We isolate circuits, remove or terminate old cables and, if the house is still being lived in, keep enough power running so you can cook, shower and keep the fridge going.
Working with your builder and other trades
We’re used to working on sites alongside builders, plumbers, plasterers, cabinet makers and air conditioning installers. Good communication makes the difference. We confirm cabinet drawings with the kitchen maker, check bathroom layouts with the plumber, and make sure the air conditioning circuits match what the installer needs.
If you’re owner-building or managing the renovation yourself, we can help you sequence the electrical so it doesn’t hold anyone up. We’ll let you know when we need access, what needs to be done before we arrive and when the next stage can start.
Switchboards, safety switches and older homes
New circuits have to be protected by RCDs (safety switches) under AS/NZS 3000, the Wiring Rules. In an older house, that often means the existing board can’t take the new work. A switchboard upgrade is common on renovations, and it’s usually best done early so the new circuits have somewhere to land.
Renovations also trigger smoke alarm questions. In Queensland, all homes must have photoelectric, interconnected smoke alarms in every bedroom, in hallways connecting bedrooms and on every storey by 1 January 2027. Walls and ceilings open during a renovation make hardwired smoke alarms much easier to install, so it’s worth doing at the same time.
Testing, compliance and paperwork
Before anything is handed over, we test every circuit for insulation resistance, earthing, polarity and RCD operation. Once the work passes, we issue the compliance certificate for the electrical work. Your builder, certifier or insurer may ask for it, so keep it with your house records.
If the job needs a new or altered supply, we handle the paperwork with the network, whether that’s Energex in South East Queensland or Essential Energy in parts of Northern NSW. We’ll let you know upfront if the network needs to attend, as that can affect timing.
What affects the cost of renovation electrical work
Every job is different, so we quote in writing after seeing the plans or the site. The main things that move the price are:
- The size of the job and the number of power points, lights and circuits
- Whether the switchboard needs upgrading
- Access, such as low roof spaces, two-storey homes, slab floors or concrete block walls
- The condition of the existing wiring in an older home
- Fittings you supply versus fittings we supply
- Extras like data cabling, smart home wiring or outdoor lighting
We’d rather give you a clear quote with options than a low number that grows once the walls come off. If we find something unexpected during demolition, we stop, show you, and agree on the fix before carrying on.
Where we work
We’re based in Mudgeeraba and work on renovations and new homes right across the Gold Coast, through the Tweed and Northern Rivers, and up into Logan and Brisbane. From beachside units to acreage homes in the hinterland, we’ve got the gear and the know-how to wire it properly.