Renovation · 9 min

Renovation electrical plan: prepare a compliant upgrade for a house or unit

In a renovation, the electrical plan helps you understand the existing setup, decide what to keep, move or add, and then prepare a clean document to price and track the build.

Updated: October 2026

Start by surveying the existing setup

Before adding new equipment, identify the existing power points, switches, light points, the switchboard, dedicated supplies and any problem areas.

An annotated PDF plan lets you distinguish the existing setup, removals, moves and additions.

Define the new needs room by room

A renovation is the moment to adapt the home to current habits: more power points in the living room, data points in the main rooms, dedicated kitchen circuits, better-controlled lighting or smart-home equipment.

Group the needs by room to get a readable summary and make the quote easier.

  • Living room: power points, TV, data, lighting.
  • Kitchen: dedicated circuits, bench power and the cooktop switch.
  • Bedrooms: power points, data, lighting controls.
  • Bathroom: zones around the bath and shower, checked on site.

Anticipate the Wiring Rules without improvising

In New Zealand, AS/NZS 3000 clause 2.6.3.3.4 covers additions and alterations. When all the circuit protection on a switchboard is replaced, the circuits it supplies must get the RCD protection required for new work. Power points added to an existing circuit must be RCD-protected as for a new circuit: fitting the RCD at the origin of the circuit is preferred, but it may be fitted where the new wiring starts, and its location should be recorded at the switchboard.

Replacing power points that are not RCD-protected, including a single with a double, is exempt. The plan helps prepare compliance, but it does not replace the verification of sizing, protection and execution.

Quick method with Planelico

  1. 1

    Import or scan the plan

    Use the home plan as a working base.

  2. 2

    Mark the existing setup

    Identify what is already there and what is causing problems.

  3. 3

    Add the new equipment

    Drop the desired power points, lights, circuits and networks.

  4. 4

    Split by zone

    Organise needs by room or floor.

  5. 5

    Export for pricing

    Hand off a clear PDF to the contractors you consult.

Frequently asked questions

Is a plan mandatory for an electrical renovation?
It is not always legally required, but it is strongly recommended for a complete renovation, reliable pricing and clear build follow-up.
How to represent the existing setup vs. the future one?
Use notes, colours or layers to distinguish existing equipment from items to remove, move or add.
Do I need to replace the entire switchboard?
It depends on the state of the installation, the required capacity and the existing protection. Replacing all the protection on a switchboard brings RCD protection for every circuit it supplies. The plan prepares the need; the technical decision is the licensed electrician’s.

Official sources

Related guides

Apartment electrical planAS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules for homesPlan for an electrician quote

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