If you have an old or newly built garage with no electricity, you may be planning to have electrical fixtures installed inside the space. These fixtures may include outlets, lighting, a breaker box and much more. Even before getting started, you need to have a detailed plan that emphasises safety, efficiency and cost savings.

Proper planning ensures that your wiring is done effectively, and the risk of electrical shocks is minimised. Here are the steps you should take when adding electricity to your garage.

Make sure all surfaces are properly insulated

Whether your garage is attached or detached to the home, it needs to be properly insulated to ensure electrical safety. For example, the floors and walls shouldn't be damaged to the extent of exposing live wires. You may need to repair such damages before running electrical wires through your garage. Proper insulation also protects the garage from electrical fires if a storm were to occur. When insulating your garage, make sure water doesn't easily penetrate the walls floors and ceilings that contain live wires.

Decide where your outlets will be

Another important step is to determine where all electrical outlets will be installed. You may wish to have an outlet near your electric vehicle (so you can charge it) and another outlet in an area where you keep your power tools. Think about how you can make the best use of your garage and designate those areas to have an outlet nearby. In addition, most of your outlets should run off an independent circuit so as to avoid tripping the breaker unnecessarily. Once you've planned your "electrical map", share it with your electrician so you can get professional advice.

Have enough lighting fixtures available

You should also think about how your garage will be lit. Consider a combination of lighting options, including ceiling, wall and floor lighting. Proper lighting will make the garage usable during most times of the day. As you select lighting fixtures and outlets, try to minimise the amount of wiring that will need to be done. Work with your electrician to map out the shortest distance from your main supply to each lighting fixture or outlet in the home.

Get a detailed quote and inspection before work begins

Many homeowners begin the electrification process of their garage before calculating how much it will cost. Without an accurate estimate, you may end up running out of funds or taking shortcuts that expose your electrical supply to risk.

For more information, contact your local electricians.

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