A full kitchen renovation involves more electrical work than almost any other room in the house. Kitchens are a high-demand electrical environment: cooker circuits, fridge/freezer circuits, dishwasher and washing machine circuits, extraction fans, under-cabinet lighting, and more. Planning these requirements at the outset — before worktops are measured and fitted — avoids expensive changes after installation.
The first item on any kitchen electrical checklist is the consumer unit. A kitchen renovation is an ideal opportunity to upgrade an old consumer unit at the same time, since the kitchen will be stripped back to bare walls anyway. Check whether the existing consumer unit has capacity for the circuits the new kitchen will require. A large range cooker requires a 6mm² dedicated circuit; a dishwasher and washing machine each benefit from their own dedicated 20A radial circuit rather than sharing the ring main.
Socket positions need to be agreed with the kitchen fitter before first fix. Kitchen regulations require sockets to be positioned at least 300mm horizontally from the edge of a sink. Under-cabinet areas, islands, and peninsula units all need sockets specced at the design stage. USB outlets are increasingly popular in kitchens; these need to be included in the socket schedule. Above worktop, consider the number of appliances in regular use — plan for more sockets than you think you need.
Kitchen electrical work is notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations. All new circuit work must be certificated, and the certificate must be provided to the homeowner. DP Power Solutions provides a free consultation for kitchen renovation electrical planning and can attend at first and second fix stages alongside the kitchen fitter.
About DP Power Solutions: We are qualified domestic electricians based in Staffordshire, providing EICRs, consumer unit upgrades, rewires, EV charger installation, and more across Cannock, Rugeley, Lichfield, Stafford, and the surrounding area.