Most homeowners spend months picking tile and paint colors before a big renovation. That’s the fun part. But one thing almost always gets ignored — the electrical system.
That’s a costly mistake. It causes delays and failed inspections. And it costs far more to fix mid-project than it would upfront. Before your contractor starts, here’s what needs to happen on the electrical side.
Get an Inspection Done First
Don’t guess at what your home needs. Call a licensed electrician before you commit to anything. A basic inspection takes two hours. They check your panel, wiring, outlets, and circuits. If something is wrong, you want to know now — not after your kitchen is torn apart.
This is most important if your home is over 20 years old. Older homes simply weren’t built for the electrical load we put on them today.
Look at Your Electrical Panel
Your panel controls everything in the house. If it’s too small, your renovation will stall.
Most older homes have 100-amp panels. That was fine decades ago. But today, between the dishwasher, dryer, fridge, and home office, you use up amps fast. A 200-amp panel is now the norm.
Check for breakers that trip often. Feel if the panel is warm. Look for rust or scorch marks. Any of these mean it’s time for a replacement. And if you’re adding a room or a big new appliance, upgrade the panel before work begins. It’s much cheaper while walls are already open.
Replace Old Wiring Now
Knob-and-tube wiring and aluminum wiring are both fire risks. Knob-and-tube was common before the 1940s. Aluminum wiring showed up in homes built in the 60s and 70s. Many insurance companies won’t cover homes that still have either type.
If your renovation opens walls anyway, that’s the right time to rewire. Running new copper wire through open walls is cheap. Doing it after drywall goes back up is not. Talk to your electrician before your contractor starts so the work lines up.
Map Out Your Circuits Early
This is the step people skip most — and regret most. Adding circuits after drywall is up means cutting holes, patching, and painting all over again. It adds cost and time. All of it is avoidable.
Think through each room before your electrician visits. The kitchen needs its own circuits for the fridge, microwave, dishwasher, and counter outlets. Each bathroom needs a GFCI-protected circuit. The laundry room needs separate lines for the washer and dryer. A home office needs a dedicated circuit so your gear doesn’t trip breakers. If you plan to charge an electric vehicle someday, run a 240V circuit in the garage now while it’s easy.
Don’t Ignore Code Requirements
GFCI outlets are required near water — in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outside. AFCI breakers are required in bedrooms and living areas in most places. If your renovation touches these rooms, your electrician must bring them up to code. An inspector will catch anything missing before they sign off. Plan for this cost from the start so it doesn’t catch you off guard.
Plan Your Lighting Before Walls Close
Once drywall is up, adding a new light means cutting holes and patching. Do it before rough-in and it costs almost nothing extra. Walk each room with your electrician. Decide where you want recessed lights, pendants, dimmers, and under-cabinet wiring. Outdoor lighting is also easy to run at this stage.
Lighting changes how a room feels more than almost anything else. Lock it in while walls are still open.
Think Ahead While You Have Easy Access
A renovation is a rare chance to future-proof cheaply. EV charger wiring, whole-home surge protection, and neutral wires for smart switches are all low cost to add now. They are expensive to add later. You don’t have to install everything today. You just have to decide while access is still easy.
Get Your Electrician Involved Early
The biggest mistake is calling an electrician after the renovation has started. By then, walls are up and your options are limited.
If you’re remodeling in the Las Vegas area, Vegas Electrician Service can assess your home before work begins and help you plan from day one. For homeowners near Henderson, a localelectrician in Henderson, NV means faster response times and no out-of-area travel fees — which matters when you need help fast during a live renovation.
Get your electrician and contractor talking before the first day of work. That one step prevents more problems than anything else on this list.