- April 28, 2025
- By admin
- Commercial, Projects, Residential
Renovating a property—whether it’s your family home or a commercial space—offers the perfect opportunity to upgrade your electrical systems. From modern lighting to essential safety improvements, getting the electrical side of your renovation right ensures your space is efficient, compliant, and ready for the future.
Here’s a practical checklist to guide you through the key electrical considerations during any renovation project.
#1 Conduct an Electrical Assessment
Before making any changes, have a qualified electrician assess your current setup. This ensures you’re aware of outdated wiring, overloaded circuits, or safety concerns that should be addressed as part of the renovation.
Tip: Always hire licensed professionals to inspect your system—DIY work is both dangerous and illegal in most cases.
#2 Plan for Future Needs
Think ahead. Will you need more outlets, data points, or provisions for smart technology? Renovations are the ideal time to accommodate:
- Home office requirements
- Commercial equipment upgrades
- Smart home/business automation
- Future-proofed data and network cabling
- Electric vehicle (EV) charging setups
#3 Rewiring and Cabling
Older buildings may still have outdated or damaged cabling that can pose fire risks. Rewiring ensures your system can handle modern power demands safely and efficiently.
Signs you may need rewiring:
- Flickering lights
- Circuit breakers frequently tripping
- Discoloured outlets or switches
- Original wiring is old and does not pass mandatory testing requirements as per AS3000 section 8
#4 Lighting Design and Upgrades
Use the renovation as an opportunity to modernise your lighting:
- Upgrade to LED lighting for energy efficiency
- Install task-specific lighting (e.g., kitchen, office, display)
Consider dimmers and smart lighting systems for flexibility and energy savings
#5 Switchboard Upgrade
If your switchboard hasn’t been upgraded in years, now is the time. An outdated switchboard may lack modern safety switches and be unable to support the increased load of upgraded electrical systems.
Benefits of a switchboard upgrade:
- Enhanced safety with RCDs (safety switches)
- Capacity to handle more circuits
- Compliance with current Australian standards
#6 Safety and Compliance Checks
Your electrician should ensure that all work complies with AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules and other local standards. This includes:
- Smoke alarm installations
- Safety switches on all final sub-circuits
- Proper circuit labelling and documentation
Note: A Certificate of Electrical Safety (COES) is required for all electrical work in Victoria.
#7 Energy Efficiency Considerations
Reducing your energy use can lower ongoing bills and reduce environmental impact. Ask your electrician about:
- Timers and motion sensors for lights
- Energy-efficient appliances
- Solar system readiness
- Power factor correction (for commercial premises)
#8 Test and Tag (for Businesses)
If you’re renovating a commercial space, ensure all portable appliances are tested and tagged before use, especially if your industry has safety compliance requirements.
Work with a Trusted Electrician in Melbourne
A successful renovation requires professional input and quality workmanship. At Innovative Electrics, we provide complete electrical services across Melbourne for both residential and commercial renovations.
Our Services Include:
- Full electrical assessments and planning
- Safe rewiring and cable installation
- Lighting and switchboard upgrades
- Energy-efficient solutions
- Ongoing support and maintenance
Renovating? Let’s get your electrical systems sorted—safely, efficiently, and to the highest standard. Contact Innovative Electrics today for expert advice and service.