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13.5.2026<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Share on:<\/h4><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Y<\/span>\u200b<\/strong>ou’ve ripped out the old kitchen, lifted the carpet, and opened a wall to move a doorway. Now you’re staring at a tangle of wiring you weren’t expecting and wondering whether to just put the GIB back up and forget about it. Well, here are a few reasons why you shouldn\u2019t.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>The most expensive electrical mistake during a renovation is almost always timing. Getting a sparky in too late, after the walls are closed and the tiler\u2019s been through. And it’s almost always avoidable.<\/p>\n<\/div>
We sat down with Alan Hale from Halo Electrical, a Christchurch sparky with 25+ years in the trade and 100+ verified reviews on Builderscrack, to find out exactly when you should be picking up the phone.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"when-to-call-an-electrician\"](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/shutterstock_535277077-scaled.jpg\" "\\"shutterstock_535277077\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Avoid a costly mistake by calling a sparky early<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>The golden rule: open walls are your best friend<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>Alan recommends getting an electrician in when the walls are open.<\/p>\n
“Rather than, \u2018by the way, the kitchen just got done, but we didn’t move a socket\u2019. You can do it, but it’s just going to be more expensive,” Alan says.<\/p>\n
“And you’re introducing the risk of repair works which, if it’s a clean canvas, you don’t need to.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>
This applies to any room where walls are being opened, linings replaced, or floors lifted \u2014 kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, living areas.<\/p>\n
If an electrician can run a cable, relocate a socket, or upgrade a circuit while the space is already open, you avoid a second visit, more cutting, more patching, and more cost.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"when-to-call-an-electrician\"](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/shutterstock_707575564-scaled.jpg\" "\\"shutterstock_707575564\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Get an electrician in while your walls are opened<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>Before the renovation even starts<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>Ideally, the electrician conversation happens before a single thing is pulled apart. Not mid-reno or when the builder’s waiting on-site. It\u2019s best when you engage the electrician before all of this.<\/p>\n<\/div>
\u201cThe main thing is prior planning \u2014 just make sure you know what you’re trying to achieve,\u201d Alan says.
\n<\/span><\/i><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>A pre-renovation walkthrough with an electrician gives you a clearer picture of what needs to happen, what order things should go in, and what the walls might be hiding before you open them. <\/span><\/p>\nIt also helps your builder and sparky coordinate rather than work around each other.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>Topics for that first walkthrough:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>- <\/i><\/span>\n
Socket and switch locations:<\/strong> Do you want them moved, added, or raised? Are you painting or tiling? Now’s the time to discuss so you can get a clean finish.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>- <\/i><\/span>\n
Lighting changes:<\/strong> New downlights, pendants, or a different circuit layout? Much easier to plan before the ceiling’s touched.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>- <\/i><\/span>\n
Underfloor heating:<\/strong> Ask about power capacity, thermostat locations, and protection of wiring before the subfloor is closed.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>- <\/i><\/span>\n
Rangehoods and extractor fans:<\/strong> Venting and wiring need to be factored in before cabinetry goes in.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>- <\/i><\/span>\n
Any appliances that need a dedicated circuit:<\/strong> Ovens, induction cooktops, heat pumps. These need their own circuit, not a shared one.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Y<\/span>\u200b<\/strong>ou’ve ripped out the old kitchen, lifted the carpet, and opened a wall to move a doorway. Now you’re staring at a tangle of wiring you weren’t expecting and wondering whether to just put the GIB back up and forget about it. Well, here are a few reasons why you shouldn\u2019t.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div> The most expensive electrical mistake during a renovation is almost always timing. Getting a sparky in too late, after the walls are closed and the tiler\u2019s been through. And it’s almost always avoidable.<\/p>\n<\/div> We sat down with Alan Hale from Halo Electrical, a Christchurch sparky with 25+ years in the trade and 100+ verified reviews on Builderscrack, to find out exactly when you should be picking up the phone.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Avoid a costly mistake by calling a sparky early<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div> Alan recommends getting an electrician in when the walls are open.<\/p>\n “Rather than, \u2018by the way, the kitchen just got done, but we didn’t move a socket\u2019. You can do it, but it’s just going to be more expensive,” Alan says.<\/p>\n “And you’re introducing the risk of repair works which, if it’s a clean canvas, you don’t need to.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div> This applies to any room where walls are being opened, linings replaced, or floors lifted \u2014 kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, living areas.<\/p>\n If an electrician can run a cable, relocate a socket, or upgrade a circuit while the space is already open, you avoid a second visit, more cutting, more patching, and more cost.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Get an electrician in while your walls are opened<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div> Ideally, the electrician conversation happens before a single thing is pulled apart. Not mid-reno or when the builder’s waiting on-site. It\u2019s best when you engage the electrician before all of this.<\/p>\n<\/div> A pre-renovation walkthrough with an electrician gives you a clearer picture of what needs to happen, what order things should go in, and what the walls might be hiding before you open them. <\/span><\/p>\n It also helps your builder and sparky coordinate rather than work around each other.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> Topics for that first walkthrough:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div> Socket and switch locations:<\/strong> Do you want them moved, added, or raised? Are you painting or tiling? Now’s the time to discuss so you can get a clean finish.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> Lighting changes:<\/strong> New downlights, pendants, or a different circuit layout? Much easier to plan before the ceiling’s touched.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> Underfloor heating:<\/strong> Ask about power capacity, thermostat locations, and protection of wiring before the subfloor is closed.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> Rangehoods and extractor fans:<\/strong> Venting and wiring need to be factored in before cabinetry goes in.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> Any appliances that need a dedicated circuit:<\/strong> Ovens, induction cooktops, heat pumps. These need their own circuit, not a shared one.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>The golden rule: open walls are your best friend<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Before the renovation even starts<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>
\n<\/span><\/i><\/div>
![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Managing-renovation-project1200x800_12.jpg\" "\\"Managing-renovation-project(1200×800)_12\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/shutterstock_716603785-scaled.jpg\" "\\"shutterstock_716603785\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/shutterstock_291167252-1-scaled.jpg\" "\\"shutterstock_291167252")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/shutterstock_124705300-scaled.jpg\" "\\"shutterstock_124705300\\"")
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