Kitchen Electrical

Modern kitchens demand far more electrical capacity than the single circuit and handful of outlets that served kitchens a generation ago. Today's NB Building Code requires a minimum of two dedicated 20-amp small appliance circuits for countertop outlets, a dedicated circuit for the refrigerator, a dedicated circuit for the dishwasher, and additional circuits for ranges, ovens, and microwaves.

Older NB homes — especially those built before 1970 in Moncton, Saint John, and Fredericton — may have 60-amp panels that simply cannot support a modern kitchen without an electrical panel upgrade ($2,000-$4,000).

Kitchen electrical work during renovation includes adding GFCI-protected outlets along the countertop (code requires outlets every 4 feet of counter space), installing under-cabinet task lighting (LED strips or puck lights at $500-$1,500), recessed pot lights ($150-$300 per light installed), pendant lighting over islands, and ensuring all circuits meet current code.

Knob-and-tube wiring, still present in many pre-1950 NB homes, must be completely replaced before any kitchen renovation — it cannot be buried behind new drywall. All electrical work in New Brunswick must be performed by a licensed electrician and inspected by the local electrical inspector.