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When building a new home, there are a lot of things that go into making it not only structurally sound but also safe, reliable, and ready to support your lifestyle. This includes everything from the construction to the plumbing, heating, security, and lighting.
Setting up a full electrical installation is a critical part of making the new home liveable and fully functional. It includes every aspect of the electrical system on the property and goes beyond installing lights and switches. From the wiring to the load management and installation of essential electrical components, it is a comprehensive process that requires careful planning and proper implementation.
Read on to find how long it takes to conduct a full electrical installation in a new home, the electrical timeline involved, and what is included in project planning and the residential wiring process:
The residential wiring process is a comprehensive procedure that involves setting up and implementing the wiring and electrical equipment on the property. It includes project planning, material selection, installation, and testing of the electrical system, and is carried out by a skilled individual(s) with the required skill and expertise.
Understanding what residential wiring is and what it includes helps homeowners and electricians ensure a safe and reliable electrical system that powers the entire property and is more than adequate for the users’ current and future electrical needs.
The key components of a residential wiring process include wires, cables, switches, outlets, circuits, and a consumer unit. Each component is an integral part of the electrical system and plays a crucial role in the functionality of a residential electrical system.
The wires and cables form the foundation of any electrical system. Wires are made from solid or stranded conductors and are responsible for carrying electrical current. Cables, on the other hand, are multiple wires within a protective insulated housing.
Electrical wires are generally made of copper or aluminium due to their conductivity and durability, and cables are typically made of PVC or rubber to protect the wires inside them from damage.
An electrical consumer unit is the main control and distribution centre for a home’s power supply. It is used to power all the circuits in your home and regulate the flow of electricity throughout the property.
A consumer unit consists of various electrical components that include the mains switch, circuit breakers, and residual current devices (RCDs). Having a well-installed and properly configured consumer unit is crucial to ensuring a safe, reliable, and efficient power distribution system.
The primary role of electric outlets and sockets is to provide a connection point for the electrical devices to the wiring of the property. This allows the transfer of electrical current between the devices and the power supply.
There are different types of electrical outlets and sockets designed to meet specific voltage requirements and safety standards. They are made up of a set of holes or slots that accept the plug from electrical appliances. Generally made from durable plastic or metal, they come in different styles and colours to complement the aesthetic of the house.
Switches are used to control the flow of electricity to electrical fixtures and other devices. They are an important part of electrical circuits and are used to regulate the flow of electrical current within them. By switching the circuit on, the circuit can be powered on, and by switching it off, it can be powered off.
Other than lighting control and appliance management, electrical switches can also prevent overloads and provide maintenance-related isolation. Like outlets, switches also come in different colours and designs and can be chosen to reflect the interior design of the new build.
Circuits are an important part of the electrical system of a house as they allow electrical current to flow from the consumer unit to various electrical components around the property, including the outlets, switches, and appliances.
Some of the most common types of circuits used in the residential wiring process include power circuits and lighting circuits. Power circuits supply power to general outlets in the home for powering appliances such as televisions and refrigerators. Lighting circuits are made especially for powering the lighting installations around the property. There are also dedicated circuits for high-wattage appliances such as electric dryers and air conditioners to make sure they can handle the high demand of said appliances.
Choosing and installing the right light fittings and fixtures is important for proper illumination in your new home. It is crucial to place them strategically, depending on the usage and aesthetics of the area within the home.
The light fittings and fixtures must be installed keeping in mind functionality, aesthetics, and energy efficiency. Installing modern LED lights is the best option in terms of all three aspects. There are different styles and a great deal of colours to choose from, making them highly versatile and customisable.
Since a full electrical installation is a comprehensive process and an integral part of the property’s infrastructure, it requires proper planning, strategic implementation, and compliance with safety regulations. You can expect it to take anywhere between 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the size of the new home.
Since a new home is technically a barebones structure with no existing electrical installations to work on, everything would need to be done from the beginning. From laying down the wiring to installing the light fixtures, it includes everything and more.
The biggest determining factor in the time it takes for a residential wiring process is the size of the property:
A full electrical installation in a new home is broken down into different stages, each just as important for the final product to be safe, reliable, efficient, and compliant. Here is a sample electrical timeline for a full electrical installation in a new home:
The project planning stage sets the foundation for all the work to be done and is a critical part of the overall electrical installation process. It starts with planning out everything and assessing the electrical needs and requirements of the new home.
Here is a list of all the key points to consider during the project planning stage:
In this stage, the electrician works with other contractors, including the architects, plumbers, and interior designers, to create a comprehensive electrical plan highlighting all key installations and the number of outlets, switches, lights, and appliances.
The location of these fixtures, along with the type of materials used, is another deciding factor during the initial stage. This is necessary to ensure that adequate power is supplied to the new home and the electrical infrastructure supports the current as well as future energy needs of the property.
Choosing the right materials for the wiring, consumer unit, switches, outlets, and circuit breakers is a very important part to ensure the efficiency, reliability, and longevity of the electrical system. Cutting corners by using subpar materials will not only compromise the performance of the system but also pose a serious safety risk and increase the likelihood of electricity-related accidents and injuries.
This is also the time to look into making the new home as energy efficient as possible. Investing in energy-efficient lighting and appliances will help reduce overall cost over time. This not only leads to substantial savings over time but also contributes to a sustainable lifestyle. Integration with smart systems and renewable energy sources must also be considered, as making these decisions early can help make the new home future-proof and ready.
While doing all this, it is extremely important to keep in mind the electrical safety standards and regulations and ensure that all electrical installations comply with them. In the UK, these regulations fall under BS 7671, which is the 18th Edition of the wiring regulations, and the current standard used in the UK.
Once the project planning is complete and everything has received the go-ahead from the relevant parties, the actual installation process starts. This process is divided into two parts: first fix and second fix.
First fix electrical installations refer to all electrical work done before plastering the walls, and in conjunction with any central heating or plumbing work. This includes laying down all the groundwork and installing the cables, wiring, and circuits.
First fix electrics can be a bit messy and disruptive, most of which is hidden once completed, which is why it is done before any plastering or decorative work. It is crucial to get this part right to start with the second fix electrics, as it serves as the basic framework for all the electrical installations on the property.
Once all the first fix electrical installations have been successfully done, a few preliminary tests are performed to ensure all the components are installed correctly and the system is ready. These checks are performed before the system is energised to catch any faults and issues in time before they pose a safety risk.
After the first fix electrical installations are completed and tested, it is time to begin the second fix electrical installations. These refer to all the visible components of the electrical system connected to the wiring hidden behind the walls.
Second fix electrics include connecting outlets, sockets, switches, and other electrical fixtures with the wiring installed during the first fix. It also includes connecting the consumer unit and installing the light fixtures, fans, and electric showers.
As opposed to first fix electrics, second fix electrical installations don’t require any structural work such as drilling and channelling, which makes them far less disruptive. However, like the first fix, the second fix also requires careful planning and proper execution to ensure everything is in line with the electrical plan.
After completing the second fix electrical installations, a series of tests are conducted to assess the performance of the electrical system:
A final and detailed inspection is conducted by a certified professional to ensure all the installations comply with electrical safety regulations. A certificate is then issued to the property owners as proof of safety and compliance.
Wiring and electrical installations are tasks that require a certain skill set to be performed successfully. When hiring an electrician to conduct a full electrical installation in your new home, make sure that they are fully certified, qualified, and that they understand your requirements.
At Calder Electrical, we have been providing electrical services to residential, commercial, and industrial properties for over 40 years and are specialists in all aspects of electrical installations, maintenance, and testing.
All our work is fully insured, and we work to meet the standards set by the NICEIC to make sure all your electrical installations meet the current regulations, and all the notifiable work is signed off by the local authorities.
If you have unplanned issues within your home or business, we can provide a call-out service to rectify and solve any problems, such as circuit tripping, loss of power, broken items that need repairing, or to check if you feel something is unsafe or a potential hazard.
Our team can generate a Visual Inspection Report (VIR) to identify anything visual that does not comply with the standards or looks unsafe, as well as a full Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) where we will identify and test each circuit to make sure they are not deteriorating and are safe for use within the current standards and regulations set by the BS 7671.
We can also provide PAT testing of appliances to make sure that any items such as kettles, computers, and microwaves are safe for use in the home and workplace.
Contact us here or call us at 0800 612 3001 to get in touch with our professional electricians for more information on how long a full electrical installation takes in a new home and what is included in the residential wiring process.
Photo by Jimmy Nilsson Masth on Unsplash
