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Renovating on the North Shore: The Electrical Plan to Lock In Before the Walls Close

  • 3 days ago
  • 3 min read

Shore renovations follow a recognisable pattern: a solid 1950s–70s family home in Forrest Hill, Milford, Castor Bay or Birkenhead, opened up at the back, kitchen relocated, a bathroom added, and the whole thing re-lit. Electrical typically runs 3–5% of the build cost — and almost every regret we hear traces back to a decision that would have been cheap at design stage and expensive after the linings went on. Here is the Shore version of that list.

Plans drawn but not started? Text them to 021 889 770 — we'll mark up the electrical before your builder locks the programme.

The Shore's renovation reality

Post-war Shore homes are, generally, good bones with obsolete electrical. That means renovations here rarely need a full rewire — but they almost always trigger a switchboard upgrade, because the new kitchen, the heat pump and the bathroom heating all want circuits the original board hasn't got. Budget for it honestly at the start instead of treating it as a nasty surprise in week three. The other Shore-specific factor: if you're near the coast, any new outdoor work should be specified for salt air from day one — see our coastal fittings guide.

Decisions to make at design stage

  • Switchboard — upgrade as part of the job ($1,500–$4,000 + GST), specified with spare ways for whatever comes next

  • Kitchen circuits — dedicated supply for oven, hob and dishwasher; induction draws serious current and needs sizing early

  • Lighting design — layered zones and dimming, warm colour temperature in living areas, task lighting where you actually work

  • EV cable or conduit to the garage — the cheapest future-proofing in the whole project

  • Data cabling — hardwired points to office, TV and a ceiling Wi-Fi position; free at pre-wire, painful later

  • Solar and battery conduit from roof space to board — costs almost nothing now, thousands later

The pre-wire walkthrough

After framing, before insulation and linings, there's a window where every change is cheap. Walk the house with the plan, stand where the furniture will actually go, and move points on the spot — behind the bed, at desk height, in the garage, outside at both ends of the house. This is the single highest-value hour of the project, and it costs nothing but the time. Full room-by-room list in our new build checklist.

Frequently asked questions

Will you work with our builder?

Yes — most renovation work is coordinated directly with the main contractor, on their programme. One less thing for you to project-manage.

How much of a Shore renovation is electrical?

Rough 2026 guides: kitchen electrical package $3,000–$8,000 + GST, bathroom $2,000–$5,000, whole-home renovation 3–5% of build cost. Fixed itemised quotes from the drawings are the honest way to price it.

Do we need a rewire as well?

Usually not on post-war Shore homes — new circuits plus a board upgrade covers it. Older Devonport and Northcote Point villas are a different conversation; an inspection settles it before you budget.

Renovating on the Shore?

EWRB-registered electricians · Certificate of Compliance on every eligible job · Based in Remuera, servicing the North Shore

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