Timeline: When to Book Your Electrician During a Renovation

Working Smoothly with Builders and Trades to Ensure Project Success

Renovating your home is a big job—and getting the timing right for each trade has a crucial impact on the project. One of the most common errors homeowners make is booking the electrical work too late or thinking the builder will handle all the scheduling. This mistake can result in expensive delays, do-overs, and even dangers to safety.

So at what point should you book your electrician during a renovation? The answer changes based on how big and complex your project is—but one thing's certain: planning ahead and talking with your builder and other trades is vital.

At Mako Electrical, we've helped many Nelson homeowners with renovations big and small. If you're updating the wiring in an old house or adding a new room here's how to get the timing right and make sure your electrician works well with your other contractors.

Why You Need to Plan Electrical Work

You can't just fit electrical work in at the end of a renovation. Your electrician should join the planning talks to check power needs, layout, and how it fits with other systems like plumbing, heating and cooling, or smart home tech.

If you wait too long, you might face:

• You're stuck with structural choices that clash with wiring needs.

• Builders have to redo framing or plastering because wiring wasn't put in on time.

• You run into safety problems from hurried or wrong installs.

Instead, you want your licensed electrician to take part in the planning stage working with your builder and architect.

Important Steps: When to Bring In Your Electrician

While each renovation is unique here's a typical schedule of when your electrician should jump in:

1. Before Construction Starts (First Planning & Design)

Now's the time to talk to your electrician. You might think it's too soon—but this stage decides where your switches and sockets go how your lights are set up, what your appliances need, and if everything follows New Zealand's electrical safety rules.

Electricians can guide you on:

• Where to put power points based on your furniture

• How to zone your lights and control their brightness

• Getting ready for electric car chargers or adding solar

• What you need to install heat pumps

Mako Electrical offers full planning help—get in touch for advice here.

2. Before Walls Are Closed (First Fix)

When the walls are up but still open, it's time for the "first fix". This is when your electrician puts in all the stuff that goes behind the walls like:

• Cables and wiring

• Electrical boxes for switches and outlets

• Distribution board placement

• Wiring for alarms, internet, and data

The first fix needs to happen before insulation and plasterboard go in. If you miss this window, you might have to tear open new walls just to add a wire you forgot.

Working with the builder and framing contractor is key at this stage.

3. After Painting and Flooring (Second Fix)

Once the interior finishes like paint, tiling, and flooring are complete, the "second fix" starts. This is when your electrician comes back to install:

• Power points and switch covers

• Light fixtures

• Hardwired appliances

• Final safety checks

At this point, you'll watch your project spring to life. Mako Electrical makes sure your finishes stay intact during this stage—no untidy marks or holes from drilling in walls with fresh paint.

4. Last Check for Compliance and Certification

Your electrician should always give you a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) to confirm all electrical work meets NZ standards. This is crucial for:

• Insurance reasons

• Getting code compliance from the council

• Feeling sure that your home is safe

Mako Electrical takes care of all compliance paperwork for renovations across the Nelson area. Check out more about our residential services.

Tips to Coordinate Trades for a Smooth Schedule

Your builder handles the overall project schedule—but it's essential to know how your electrician fits into the plan. Poor communication between trades is one of the main reasons for renovation holdups.

Here's how to make it smooth:

• Give out a master timeline: Include all trades (builder, electrician, plumber, tiler painter).

• Set up regular meetings with your builder and electrician before key milestones.

• Make roles clear: Understand who needs to chase council approvals, make pre-wiring decisions, and ensure site safety.

• Steer clear of last-minute changes: Changing layouts after first fix wiring can eat up time and money.

Mako Electrical often collaborates with local builders and contractors. We're accustomed to aligning schedules and managing on-site coordination. If you have a builder you prefer, we'll communicate with them to reduce your stress.

Common Pitfalls (and How to Avoid Them)

Here are some frequent mistakes homeowners make during renovations:

• Scheduling the electrician after wall closure: This doubles the cost to cut and rewire.

• Failing to budget for light upgrades or extra circuits: This happens a lot in older homes.

• Overloading the power board with new appliances: You might need to upgrade your switchboard or circuit breakers.

Do you want help to navigate these risks? Get in touch with Mako Electrical for personalized renovation advice.

Sample Real-World Example: The Remodel That Almost Got Held Up

A Nelson customer of ours planned to redo their kitchen and living room. They thought the contractor would "take care of the electrical work." We got the call after they had closed up the walls and started painting.

We were lucky to do minimal invasive work—but if they had called us two weeks earlier, we could have finished faster, for less money, and with less stress for everyone involved.

The lesson here? Bring in your electrician early. Don't wait for someone to say, "We need power in this spot."

Why Pick Mako Electrical for Your Remodel?

• Local and Licensed: Our home is Nelson, and we're registered to handle residential electrical work.

• Coordination Experts: We've teamed up with many local builders, plumbers, and architects.

• No Shortcuts: We do safe compliant work that stands the test of time—and we tidy up when we're done.

• Transparent Communication: You'll always be in the loop about what's coming next and who's working at your place.

From kitchen updates to whole house extensions, count on Mako Electrical to keep your renovation powered, on time, and stress-free.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• When should I contact an electrician during a renovation?

   You should reach out to an electrician when you're planning, before construction begins. This gives them a chance to help with layout and figure out power needs.

• What is the difference between first fix and second fix electrical work?

  First fix means putting in wires before walls get closed up. The second fix involves setting up things like switches and lights after painting is done.

• Who coordinates the electrician with other trades?

  The builder does this, but it's smart for homeowners to stay involved and keep everyone talking to each other.

• What happens if I delay electrical work until later?

  You might have to open up walls again, slow down getting approvals, and end up spending a lot more money.

• Can Mako Electrical help with planning and design input?

  You bet! We'll team up with you, your architect, or builder to create smart, up-to-code layouts.