What electrical work can I DIY during a kitchen renovation in NB?

In New Brunswick, the electrical work you can safely and legally DIY in a kitchen renovation is very limited — essentially confined to cosmetic and plug-in tasks that do not involve modifying circuits, adding wiring, or changing the electrical panel. Any work that alters the permanent wiring in your home requires a permit and inspection through your local municipality or Regional Service Commission, and the NB Building Code expects this work to be done by a licensed electrician.

The tasks you can confidently handle yourself include replacing light fixtures on existing circuits (swapping one ceiling fixture for another of the same type), replacing switch plates and outlet covers, installing plug-in LED strip lighting under cabinets, and changing light bulbs to LED. You can also replace a dimmer switch with another dimmer or standard switch on the same circuit, provided the wiring is in good condition and you are comfortable working with the breaker turned off. These tasks do not require permits because you are not modifying the circuit itself.

Everything beyond those basics should be done by a licensed electrician. This includes adding or moving electrical outlets, installing new circuits for appliances, upgrading from a 60-amp to a 100-amp or 200-amp panel, adding GFCI protection to countertop outlets, wiring a new range or dishwasher circuit, installing hardwired under-cabinet lighting, and running wiring for a new island. All of these require electrical permits and both rough-in and final inspections. The permit fees are modest — typically $75 to $200 — and the inspections exist to protect your family from fire and electrocution hazards.

Why This Matters in NB's Older Homes

New Brunswick has a large stock of homes built between the 1950s and 1980s, and kitchen electrical systems from that era are often inadequate for modern use. Common issues include 60-amp panels that cannot support today's appliances, aluminum wiring that requires special connectors and techniques, knob-and-tube wiring in the oldest homes, and a lack of GFCI outlets near water sources. If you open a wall during your renovation and encounter any of these, do not attempt repairs yourself — these situations require a licensed professional who understands the specific hazards.

The NB Building Code requires a minimum of two dedicated 20-amp small appliance circuits for kitchen countertop outlets, plus dedicated circuits for the refrigerator, dishwasher, range, and microwave. Many older NB kitchens have just one or two circuits serving the entire kitchen, which is a code violation if you are doing any permitted renovation work. An electrician will need to bring the kitchen up to current code as part of the renovation, and this typically costs $500 to $4,000 depending on the scope.

A practical approach is to handle the cosmetic electrical work yourself — swapping out fixtures, installing plug-in under-cabinet LEDs, replacing switch plates — and hire a licensed electrician for everything that touches the permanent wiring. When getting quotes, bundle all your electrical needs into one scope of work. Having an electrician add outlets, upgrade circuits, wire the island, and install hardwired lighting in a single visit is far more cost-effective than calling them back for each item separately. Get at least three quotes from electricians in your area — rates in Moncton, Fredericton, and Saint John typically run $75 to $110 per hour, and NB labour rates are generally 15 to 20 percent lower than Ontario or BC.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The New Brunswick Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Gionetterenovations
• Thirty Four Renovations