Renovating a Melbourne home is one of the most exciting projects you can take on, but it also comes with a long list of decisions and requirements. One area that catches many homeowners off guard is the electrical work. Whether you are updating a single room or gutting an entire house, your electrician plays a critical role in ensuring the renovation is safe, compliant and future-ready.
This guide covers everything you need to know about working with an electrician during a renovation in Melbourne, from permits and compliance to budgeting and common upgrades.
Why Electrical Work Is Central to Any Renovation
Electrical systems are embedded in every wall, ceiling and floor of your home. When you start opening up spaces, moving walls or adding new fixtures, the electrical system almost always needs to be modified. Older Melbourne homes, particularly those built before the 1980s, often have outdated wiring that does not meet current Australian Standards.
Even a simple kitchen or bathroom update usually requires new circuits, additional power points and upgraded lighting. Ignoring the electrical component of a renovation can lead to compliance issues, safety hazards and costly rework down the track.
Common Electrical Upgrades During a Renovation
Most renovations involve at least a few of these electrical upgrades:
Switchboard Upgrade
If your home still has an old ceramic fuse box or a switchboard without safety switches, a renovation is the ideal time to upgrade your switchboard. Modern switchboards with circuit breakers and RCDs (residual current devices) are essential for handling the increased electrical load that comes with a renovated home. Most renovations add enough new circuits that the existing switchboard simply cannot cope.
Rewiring
Homes with old rubber-sheathed or cloth-covered wiring will need a partial or full rewire during renovation. This is non-negotiable from a safety standpoint. Rewiring while walls are open is significantly cheaper and less disruptive than doing it after the plaster goes back up.
Additional Circuits and Power Points
Modern kitchens, home offices and entertainment areas demand far more power than homes were originally designed for. A renovation is the perfect time to add dedicated circuits for appliances and install extra power points exactly where you need them. Think about where you charge devices, plug in appliances and set up workstations.
Lighting Design
Renovations offer the chance to completely rethink your lighting. Upgrading to energy-efficient LED downlights and adding dimming circuits, task lighting and feature lighting can transform the feel of your home. Consider layered lighting with a mix of ambient, task and accent fixtures for the best result.
Bathroom and Kitchen Electrical
These wet areas have specific electrical requirements under Australian Standards. Bathroom electrical work must comply with strict zone regulations that dictate where power points, switches and light fittings can be placed relative to water sources. Kitchens typically need dedicated circuits for ovens, cooktops, dishwashers and rangehoods.
Planning a renovation? Get your electrical sorted early.
Call Carlin Co on 0432 632 346 for a free renovation electrical consultation, or book online.
Permits and Compliance in Victoria
All electrical work in Victoria must be carried out by a licensed electrician and a Certificate of Electrical Safety (COES) must be issued for every job. This is not optional. Your electrician should provide this documentation as a standard part of their service.
For renovations that involve structural changes, your builder will typically obtain the building permit, but the electrical work within that scope must still meet AS/NZS 3000 (the Wiring Rules) and any relevant Victorian regulations. If you are adding new circuits, relocating the switchboard or installing new fixed appliances, all of this must be signed off by a licensed electrician.
Key compliance considerations during a renovation include safety switch installation, correct cable sizing for new circuits, proper earthing, smoke alarm placement that meets current Victorian smoke alarm laws and adequate ventilation for any electrical equipment.
When to Bring Your Electrician Into the Project
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is leaving the electrician until the last minute. Your electrician should be involved from the planning stage, ideally before demolition begins. Here is why:
During planning: Your electrician can review architectural drawings, identify where existing wiring runs, flag potential issues with the switchboard capacity and provide accurate costings. This prevents budget blowouts and redesigns mid-build.
Before demolition: The electrician needs to disconnect and make safe any circuits in the areas being demolished. This is a safety requirement that protects everyone on site.
During the rough-in stage: This is when the bulk of electrical work happens. New cables are run through wall frames, ceiling spaces and under floors before plasterboard goes up. Getting the positioning of power points, light switches and data points right at this stage saves significant money.
At fit-off: Once walls are finished and painted, the electrician returns to install power points, switches, light fittings, exhaust fans and connect appliances.
Working With Your Builder and Other Trades
Electrical work on a renovation does not happen in isolation. Your electrician needs to coordinate closely with your builder, plumber, plasterer and cabinetmaker. Scheduling is critical because electrical rough-in must happen after framing but before insulation and plasterboard.
If you are managing the renovation yourself rather than using a builder, make sure you give your Melbourne electrician plenty of notice. Good electricians book up quickly, and you do not want your plasterer waiting because the electrical rough-in is not complete.
At Carlin Co, we regularly work alongside builders and project managers on renovations across Melbourne. We understand the sequencing and can coordinate our work to keep the project moving smoothly.
Timeline: What to Expect
Electrical work on a renovation typically happens in two main phases:
Rough-in (first fix): This involves running all cables, installing back boxes for power points and switches, and positioning lighting circuit wiring. For a typical single-storey renovation, expect 2 to 5 days depending on scope.
Fit-off (second fix): Installing and connecting all fixtures, power points, switches, downlights and appliances. This usually takes 1 to 3 days for a standard renovation.
Between these phases, there may be inspection points where the electrical work needs to be checked before it is covered by plasterboard. Your electrician should manage this scheduling as part of their scope.
Budgeting for Electrical Work in Your Renovation
Electrical work typically accounts for 10 to 15 percent of total renovation costs. For a mid-range Melbourne renovation, you might expect to spend between $8,000 and $25,000 on electrical, depending on the scope. Here is a rough guide to common cost components:
Switchboard upgrade: $1,800 to $4,500 depending on the number of circuits required. See our detailed switchboard upgrade cost guide for more information.
Full or partial rewire: $8,000 to $20,000+ depending on the size of the home and extent of rewiring needed. Our house rewiring cost guide breaks this down further.
Power point installation: $180 to $300 per point including cabling.
LED downlight installation: $100 to $180 per light including fitting and cabling.
Dedicated appliance circuits: $350 to $600 per circuit.
The best way to get an accurate figure is to have your electrician visit the site during the planning stage and provide a detailed quote based on the architectural plans.
Future-Proofing Your Renovation
Since walls will be open during your renovation, it is the cheapest time to future-proof your home’s electrical system. Consider these additions:
Smart home wiring: Even if you are not installing smart home technology now, running data cables and leaving conduit in walls makes future upgrades easy and affordable.
EV charger preparation: If you might buy an electric vehicle in the next few years, having the cabling and a dedicated circuit run to your garage during renovation costs a fraction of retrofitting later.
USB power points: Install power points with built-in USB charging in kitchens, bedrooms and living areas.
Outdoor lighting preparation: Run cabling for outdoor lighting and garden features while the building is open.
Extra capacity in your switchboard: Ask your electrician to install a switchboard with spare circuit breaker positions so you can add circuits later without another switchboard upgrade.
Heritage and Period Home Considerations
Melbourne has thousands of Victorian, Edwardian and interwar homes. Renovating these properties brings unique electrical challenges. Heritage overlays may restrict visible changes to the exterior, and older construction methods (lath and plaster walls, timber framing, no cavity) can make cable routing more complex.
An experienced electrician who has worked on period homes will know how to route cables with minimal damage and how to work within heritage requirements. At Carlin Co, we have extensive experience with older Melbourne homes and understand the care needed to preserve character while bringing the electrical system up to modern standards.
Choosing the Right Electrician for Your Renovation
Not every electrician is suited to renovation work. Look for an electrician who has specific renovation experience, is comfortable coordinating with builders and other trades, can provide a detailed quote from plans, holds a current REC (Registered Electrical Contractor) licence and has strong reviews from past renovation clients.
Carlin Co Electrical holds REC licence 33210 and has completed hundreds of renovation projects across Melbourne’s inner and south-eastern suburbs. With 138+ five-star Google reviews, we have a proven track record of delivering quality electrical work on residential renovations.
Ready to discuss your renovation’s electrical needs?
Contact Carlin Co on 0432 632 346 or book a consultation online. We will visit your site, review plans with you and provide a clear, detailed quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an electrician for a home renovation in Melbourne?
Yes. All electrical work in Victoria must be carried out by a licensed electrician. This includes installing new power points, running circuits, upgrading switchboards, installing lighting and any other work that involves the fixed wiring of your home. A Certificate of Electrical Safety must be issued for every job.
How much does electrical work cost during a renovation?
Electrical work typically accounts for 10 to 15 percent of total renovation costs. For a mid-range Melbourne renovation, expect to spend between $8,000 and $25,000 on electrical depending on the scope. A switchboard upgrade alone ranges from $1,800 to $4,500, while a full rewire can cost $8,000 to $20,000 or more.
When should I involve an electrician in my renovation project?
Ideally, your electrician should be involved from the planning stage before demolition begins. They can review architectural drawings, assess switchboard capacity, identify existing wiring issues and provide accurate cost estimates. This helps prevent budget blowouts and design changes mid-build.
Does my switchboard need upgrading during a renovation?
In most cases, yes. Renovations typically add new circuits for additional power points, lighting and appliances. Older switchboards with ceramic fuses or limited circuit breaker positions often cannot handle the increased load. A modern switchboard with safety switches is also required to meet current Australian Standards.
Can I do any electrical work myself during a renovation?
In Victoria, homeowners cannot perform any electrical work themselves. This includes seemingly simple tasks like installing power points, running cables or replacing light switches. All electrical work must be completed by a licensed electrician who will issue the required safety certificate. The penalties for unlicensed electrical work include significant fines and voided insurance.
How long does electrical work take during a renovation?
Electrical work on a renovation happens in two main phases. The rough-in (first fix) involves running cables and positioning outlets, typically taking 2 to 5 days. The fit-off (second fix) involves installing fixtures and connecting everything, usually taking 1 to 3 days. There may also be inspection points between phases.
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