Kitchen Renovation Electrical Work: What to Plan Before You Start

Kitchen renovations are one of the most common projects Auckland electricians get called into — and one of the most common sources of unexpected costs when electrical work hasn’t been factored in from the start.

Here’s what to plan for before your kitchen renovation begins.

Start with the switchboard

Before anything else, have an electrician assess your switchboard. This is the step most homeowners skip — and the one most likely to cause an unwelcome surprise mid-renovation.

A kitchen renovation typically adds several new circuits: a dedicated circuit for the oven or hob, updated lighting circuits, additional power points, and potentially a rangehood circuit. If your switchboard is an older model with limited capacity or no RCD protection, it may need upgrading before any new circuits can be safely added.

Finding this out after your kitchen is half-demolished is expensive. Finding it out before you start means it’s factored into the budget from day one.

A switchboard assessment takes around 30 minutes and is included in our quote visit at no charge.

Circuits and power requirements

Modern kitchens have significant electrical demands. The key circuits to plan for:

Oven and hob — most electric ovens and induction hobs require a dedicated 20A or 32A circuit. If you’re upgrading from gas to induction, a new circuit is almost certainly needed. This should be run before the new kitchen goes in.

Rangehood — if ducting to an external vent, this typically needs its own circuit and possibly penetration through an external wall coordinated with your builder.

Refrigerator and dishwasher — ideally on dedicated circuits rather than shared with other appliances, particularly in a heavily loaded kitchen.

Microwave and small appliances — these can share circuits, but the number and location of power points needs to be planned around your kitchen layout.

Power point placement

This is where early planning pays off most. Power points are straightforward to install before the kitchen goes in, and expensive to add after cabinetry is fitted.

Things to plan:

• At least 3–4 double power points along the benchtop for small appliances
• At least one power point inside the pantry or butler’s pantry if you have one
• Splashback outlets — these are flush-mounted and need to be spec’d before tiles go on
• USB outlets integrated into power points for phone charging while cooking
• Under-cabinet outlets for appliances stored in lower cupboards

In wet areas near the sink, power points must meet minimum distance requirements per NZ electrical regulations — your electrician will advise on placement.

Kitchen lighting

A well-lit kitchen needs multiple lighting layers, and planning them during the renovation is far simpler than retrofitting later.

Task lighting — directly over work surfaces, ideally recessed downlights positioned in front of you rather than behind, which creates shadows. LED downlights are standard.

Under-cabinet lighting — LED strip lighting beneath wall cabinets for bench illumination. Needs cabling run before cabinets are installed.

Accent lighting — inside glass-fronted cabinets, along toe kicks, or in the pantry. All needs cabling before cabinetry.

Dimmable circuits — if you want dimmable lighting, the dimmer switches need to be specified together with the LED fittings for compatibility.

What does kitchen electrical work cost in Auckland?

These are guide ranges only. A quote visit gives you an accurate figure based on your specific kitchen and switchboard.

When should the electrician come in?

First fix — before linings, cabinetry, and tiles go on. This is when all cabling is run, circuits are roughed in, and any structural penetrations are made.

Second fix — after linings and cabinetry are installed. Power points, switches, and light fittings are fitted off and connected.

Trying to combine both visits into one after the kitchen is installed is the most expensive way to do it — plan both visits into your renovation timeline from the start.

Common questions

Do I need a building consent for kitchen electrical work?
No building consent is required for standard electrical work. All fixed electrical work must be carried out by a licensed electrician and signed off with a Certificate of Compliance.

Can I use my existing oven circuit for an induction hob?
Possibly — it depends on the circuit rating and the hob’s requirements. Your electrician can check the existing circuit during the assessment visit.

How far in advance should I book an electrician for a kitchen renovation?
For first fix work, ideally 2–4 weeks before the kitchen goes in. Booking early means we can coordinate with your builder and cabinetmaker to align the sequence of work.

Do you coordinate with builders and kitchen installers?
Yes — we’re used to working alongside builders and kitchen companies on Auckland renovation projects. We’ll coordinate timing directly if you introduce us.