A new kitchen involves much more than choosing cupboards, worktops and appliances. A well-planned kitchen electrical installation can make the finished room safer, easier to use and much more practical. More importantly, getting an electrician involved early can prevent delays, last-minute changes and unnecessary costs once the kitchen installation starts.

At Smart Power, we work with homeowners, kitchen fitters, builders and other trades across Cottingham, Beverley, Hull and the wider East Yorkshire area. From moving a couple of sockets to a complete electrical first fix, the key is getting the plan right before the new kitchen goes in.

Plan your kitchen electrical installation early

One of the biggest mistakes is assuming the new kitchen can simply use whatever electrical points were there before.

Modern kitchens often need much more power and many more connections than the kitchens they replace. For example, you might be:

• Changing from a gas hob to an induction hob
• Installing a larger fridge or American-style fridge freezer
• Moving a washing machine or tumble dryer
• Adding another oven or integrated appliance
• Installing a kitchen island
• Adding new sockets or USB charging points
• Changing the lighting layout

Some of these changes may require new cables or dedicated circuits. Therefore, the best time to identify them is before the walls have been plastered and before the new kitchen units arrive.

If significant work is needed, we can complete it during the electrical first fix while access is straightforward.

Think about where you actually need sockets

Socket positioning deserves more thought than simply replacing the old ones in the same locations.

Think about how you will use the kitchen once it is finished. Where will the kettle, toaster and coffee machine go? Will you want somewhere convenient to charge phones and tablets? Are there enough sockets around the worktop without needing extension leads?

At the same time, we need to consider the fixed appliances. Poor planning can leave sockets in awkward positions behind appliances or create problems when the kitchen fitter starts installing units.

A little extra planning at the beginning can make a big difference to how the kitchen works every day.

Induction hobs can change the electrical plan

Induction hobs have become increasingly popular, particularly when homeowners replace older gas or electric cooking appliances.

However, you should not assume an existing cooker supply will automatically suit the new appliance. We can check the manufacturer’s requirements, the existing circuit and the electrical installation before work starts.

If the new hob or oven needs alterations to the supply, it is far easier to deal with this during the first fix than after a new kitchen has been fitted.

The same principle applies to other higher-powered or relocated appliances. Tell your electrician what you are planning to install as early as possible.

Plan the kitchen lighting properly

Lighting can completely change the finished kitchen.

Good-quality LED downlights can provide bright, even lighting across the room, while additional lighting under wall units or around particular areas can make worktops more practical.

Simply replacing old lamps with LED bulbs is not always the best long-term solution. When we are already working on a kitchen refurbishment, it often makes more sense to consider modern LED fittings and design the lighting around the new layout.

For example, the position of new cupboards or a kitchen island may completely change where the lighting needs to fall.

A kitchen project needs everyone working from the same plan

A kitchen refurbishment can involve a surprising number of people.

There might be an electrician, plumber, kitchen fitter, plasterer, decorator and sometimes a builder involved in the same room over a relatively short period.

As a result, communication matters.

If somebody changes an appliance position but the electrician does not know, the electrical point could end up in the wrong place. Likewise, if plumbing moves or the kitchen layout changes after the first fix, other parts of the job may need changing too.

Getting the plan agreed early and keeping everyone updated helps the whole job run more smoothly.

It is one of the reasons we are happy to work directly with your kitchen fitter, builder or other trades rather than treating the electrical work as a completely separate job.

What does a typical kitchen electrical installation involve?

Every kitchen is different, but the electrical work will normally follow a similar process.

1. Planning and survey

We review the proposed kitchen layout, appliances, lighting and socket positions. We can also look at the existing electrical installation and identify anything that may need upgrading.

2. Electrical first fix

Once the old kitchen is out and we have access, we install or alter cables, circuits and electrical points before plastering and the new kitchen installation.

3. Kitchen installation

The kitchen fitter, plumber and other trades can then carry out their work.

4. Electrical second fix

We return once the kitchen has reached the right stage to fit sockets, switches, lighting, appliance connections and other electrical accessories.

5. Testing and certification

Finally, we test the electrical work and provide the appropriate certification for the work carried out.

The exact number of visits will depend on the kitchen and how the project has been organised.

Common kitchen electrical problems we find

Even a straightforward-looking kitchen refurbishment can uncover problems.

We regularly have to consider things such as:

• Existing circuits that are unsuitable for the proposed appliances
• Old electrical installations that need attention
• Cooker supplies that do not suit a new induction hob
• Poorly positioned sockets
• Sockets or connection points ending up behind appliances
• Not enough circuits for the new layout
• Changes to kitchen plans after electrical work has started
• Consumer unit alterations or upgrades
• Lighting that has not been considered until late in the project

If you are renovating an older property, it is also worth considering the condition of the wider electrical installation before decorating and finishing work begins.

A typical example

Imagine you are replacing an older kitchen and decide to move the washing machine, install a larger fridge freezer, swap a gas hob for induction and add new LED downlights.

Those changes affect several parts of the electrical installation.

Before the kitchen goes in, we can check the existing circuits, establish what new supplies are required and agree the final positions for sockets, appliances and lighting.

We then complete the first fix while everything is accessible. Once the kitchen fitter has installed the units and worktops, we return for the second fix, testing and certification.

That is much easier than discovering the new hob needs a different electrical supply after the worktop and kitchen have already been installed.

Working with kitchen fitters and builders

We do not only work directly for homeowners.

Smart Power also works alongside kitchen fitters, builders and other trades who need a reliable electrical contractor to support their projects.

That could involve a single kitchen refurbishment or an ongoing working relationship where we carry out the electrical element of future installations.

Having an electrician who understands first fix and second fix scheduling, works with the other trades and keeps everyone updated can make life considerably easier for both the contractor and the customer.

Planning a new kitchen in Hull or East Yorkshire?

If you are planning a new kitchen, involve the electrician before work starts.

Whether you need a few sockets repositioned or a complete kitchen electrical installation, Smart Power can help with the planning, first fix, second fix, lighting, appliance supplies, testing and certification.

We cover Cottingham, Beverley, Hull and surrounding areas of East Yorkshire.

Get in touch with Smart Power and send us your kitchen plans if you have them. The earlier we can see what you are trying to achieve, the easier it is to help you get it right first time.