PLANNING YOUR PERFECT KITCHEN REWIRE

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Powering Your Culinary Dreams: A Homeowner’s Guide to your Kitchen Rewire

"Understanding Your Kitchen Electrical Needs"

The kitchen. More than mere walls and worktops, it’s the vibrant heart of your home – a haven where family gathers, stories are shared, and culinary creations come to life. It’s a space that hums with energy, not just from the warmth of the oven or the chatter of loved ones, but from the silent, steady pulse of electricity that powers its every convenience.

Embarking on a new kitchen installation, or perhaps a transformative house extension that breathes fresh life into this central hub, is an exciting prospect. Yet, beneath the gleam of new surfaces and the promise of modern appliances lies a critical foundation: an electrical system that is not only safe and compliant but thoughtfully designed to meet the rhythm of your daily life. A well-planned kitchen rewire isn’t just an upgrade; it’s an investment in seamless functionality, enduring safety, and the effortless enjoyment of your home’s most cherished space for all the years that follow.

This kitchen rewire guide, is here to illuminate the path, helping you navigate the key considerations of your kitchen’s electrical journey, ensuring every switch, socket, and circuit plays its part in creating the kitchen you’ve always envisioned.

To Ensure Electrical Safety & Compliance
To Power Your Modern Lifestyle
To Future-Proof Your Home
Netfixx are local electricians Serving – Central & Southwest London, Wimbledon, Kingston, Richmond & North Surrey

Why Consider a Dedicated Kitchen Rewire?

Your kitchen is arguably the hardest-working room in your home, and its electrical demands are significant. A dedicated kitchen rewire, a kitchen rewire as a part of a house rewire, or ensuring the electrical aspect of your new kitchen installation is professionally handled, is crucial for several compelling reasons:

Common Reasons for a Kitchen Rewire:

Addressing Ageing or Unsafe Wiring: If your existing kitchen wiring is old, it may not meet current safety standards or be able to handle the load of modern appliances. A rewire rectifies this, ensuring safety and reliability.
Accommodating New Kitchen Layouts: When you install a new kitchen, the layout of appliances, worktops, and lighting often changes significantly. A rewire allows electrical points to be moved and new ones added precisely where your new design dictates.
Meeting Increased Power Demands: Modern kitchens feature a growing array of powerful appliances, from induction hobs and steam ovens to multiple small gadgets. Older wiring systems may be insufficient, leading to tripped circuits or even fire risks. A rewire ensures your kitchen has the robust power it needs.
The Ideal Opportunity During Renovations: The best time for a kitchen rewire is when the old kitchen has been stripped out. With bare walls and accessible voids, new cables can be installed neatly and efficiently, minimising disruption compared to retrofitting in a finished space.
Ensuring Safety with New Appliances and Designs: Professional electricians ensure that all new appliances are correctly and safely connected, adhering to manufacturers’ instructions and regulatory requirements.
Integrating with Larger Projects: Often, a new kitchen is part of a larger home extension or renovation. This provides a perfect opportunity to integrate the kitchen’s electrical system seamlessly and safely with the rest of the property’s updated wiring.

Understanding Electrical Regulations & Best Practices When Planning and Conducting a Kitchen Rewire.

When it comes to rewiring your home, understanding that all electrical work must comply with strict safety standards is crucial. These aren’t just guidelines; they are legal requirements designed to protect you, your family, and your property. At Netfixx, we adhere rigorously to these standards, ensuring every installation is safe, compliant, and built to last. Here’s what you, as a homeowner, should know:

Key Electrical Standards & Safety in the Kitchen

The kitchen environment, with its mix of water, heat, and high-powered appliances, demands strict adherence to electrical safety standards. When Netfixx undertakes your kitchen electrical work, we ensure full compliance with:

BS7671 (The Wiring Regulations): This is the UK’s standard for all electrical installations. For kitchens, this includes specific requirements for:
- RCD Protection: All sockets and potentially lighting circuits in a kitchen must be protected by a Residual Current Device (RCD). [368] RCDs are life-saving devices that cut power instantly if a fault is detected, significantly reducing the risk of electric shock. [368]
- Dedicated Circuits: High-power appliances like ovens, induction hobs, and sometimes electric showers (if relevant to an adjoining utility) require their own dedicated circuits from the consumer unit to prevent overloading.
- Safe Zones & Placement: Sockets and switches must be installed at safe distances from sinks, taps, and hobs to prevent contact with water or excessive heat. [367]

Building Regulations (Part P) – Ensuring Domestic Electrical Safety in Regard to Kitchens

BS7671 (The Wiring Regulations): This is the UK’s standard for all electrical installations. For kitchens, this includes specific requirements for:
- RCD Protection: All sockets and potentially lighting circuits in a kitchen must be protected by a Residual Current Device (RCD). [368] RCDs are life-saving devices that cut power instantly if a fault is detected, significantly reducing the risk of electric shock. [368]
- Dedicated Circuits: High-power appliances like ovens, induction hobs, and sometimes electric showers (if relevant to an adjoining utility) require their own dedicated circuits from the consumer unit to prevent overloading.
- Safe Zones & Placement: Sockets and switches must be installed at safe distances from sinks, taps, and hobs to prevent contact with water or excessive heat. [367]

Hallmarks of Good Workmanship – The Netfixx Standard

When your kitchen’s electrical system is being installed or upgraded, certain practices go beyond basic compliance and contribute significantly to the safety, functionality, and neatness of the finished result. Here are some key aspects of high-quality electrical work to look for in a kitchen environment:

Careful Preparation and Property Protection:
- A professional approach involves meticulous preparation. If existing structures like flooring or adjacent units need to be disturbed to run cables (though less common if walls are being stripped for a full kitchen fit-out), this should be done in a way that minimises damage, with any necessary cuts made sympathetically.
- While kitchen electrical work can be disruptive, steps should be taken to manage dust and debris effectively, protecting your home and any existing fixtures or new cabinetry as much as reasonably possible.
Planned Cable Routes for Cabinetry & Fixtures:
- Where cables are chased into walls, their routes should be carefully planned to avoid conflict with the fixing points for kitchen cabinets, wall-mounted appliances, and other units. This foresight prevents accidental damage to cables during later stages of the kitchen installation.
Neat, Tidy, and Secure Wiring Practices:
- All electrical cables, whether visible or concealed, should be installed straight, neatly, and securely. Cables should never be sharply kinked, trodden on, or bent excessively, as this can damage the internal conductors.
- Wiring for undercabinet lighting, for example, should be tidily clipped to the underside of wall cabinets, and all 240-volt connections must be housed within suitable, compliant enclosures or junction boxes.
- Loose or haphazard cables under plinths or behind cabinets are a sign of poor workmanship and should be avoided. Ideally, wiring is chased into walls and appropriately protected.
Appropriate Height and Placement for Sockets & Switches:
- Socket outlets above kitchen work surfaces should be installed at a consistent and practical height – high enough to avoid splashes from sinks but low enough for easy access and to allow appliance cables to sit neatly.
- Switches controlling built-in appliances should be clearly identifiable and placed in accessible locations.
Thoughtful and Safe Appliance Connections:
- For many integrated appliances, a socket outlet installed behind or adjacent to the appliance allows for easier replacement or maintenance.
- Gas hobs often require an electrical connection for ignition; this needs to be safely incorporated, potentially via a dedicated spur or, if appropriate and safe, from the main cooker circuit that also supplies an electric oven.
Correct Cooker, Oven, and Hob Installations:
- Electric cookers and hobs must be connected to a dedicated circuit with a correctly rated cooker connection unit. An accessible isolation switch is essential for safety and compliance.
- The electrical specifications of ovens and hobs must be considered early in the planning. Some ovens may have a lower power rating than a standard 45-amp cooker circuit. In such cases, the circuit protection and connection method must be correctly selected to match the appliance.
- Cooker circuits must always be separate from general socket outlet circuits.
Careful Placement of Sockets Near Sinks:
- If socket outlets are installed within a sink base unit, they must be positioned well away from potential water leak points and at a sufficient height to prevent water ingress.
Logical Lighting Control and Effective Illumination:
- Main lighting switch points should be conveniently located, usually near the entrance(s). Switches for different lighting layers (ceiling, under-cabinet, plinth) should be logically grouped.
- If spotlights or downlights are used, their positioning is critical to directly illuminate worktops and key task areas, minimising shadows.
Correct Heat Detector Selection and Siting:
- A heat detector is appropriate for the kitchen to minimize nuisance alarms and must be correctly sited according to BS 5839-6.
Provision for Kitchen Island Electrics:
- If your kitchen design includes an island, any required socket outlets or power should be planned early for appropriate cable installation.
Protection Against Rodent Damage:
- In areas where there’s a risk of rodent infestation, electrical cables should be suitably protected (e.g., by chasing into walls or using rodent-resistant conduits).
Correct Sequencing with Other Trades:
- Effective coordination with other trades is vital. For instance, if walls have been chased for new wiring, any necessary plastering or first-coat decoration should ideally be completed before electrical faceplates (sockets, switches) are fitted. This ensures a neat finish and complies with regulations regarding minimal gaps around accessories.
Thorough Testing and Certification:
- Before the installation is handed over, every new circuit and all work undertaken must be rigorously inspected and tested by a qualified electrician to ensure it is safe and fully meets the requirements of BS7671. You should then receive the appropriate electrical certification.

Understanding these hallmarks of quality can help you appreciate the difference a skilled and conscientious electrician brings to your kitchen renovation, ensuring a safe, reliable, and user-friendly electrical system.

Kitchen Rewire FAQs

A new kitchen including the electrical rewire is a significant undertaking, and it’s natural to have questions. We’ve compiled answers to some of the most common queries we receive from homeowners in Central/SW London and North Surrey to help you understand the process better.

Q1: What factors influence the cost of a kitchen rewire?

A: The cost depends on the kitchen’s size, the number and type of appliances, the number of socket outlets and lighting points, the complexity of the lighting design (e.g., multiple spotlight circuits, undercabinet lighting), the age and condition of the existing wiring feeding the kitchen, and whether any upgrades to your main consumer unit are required. We provide a detailed quote after understanding your specific plans.

Q2: How long will the electrical work for my new kitchen take?

A: The “first fix” (installing new cables and back boxes) for an average kitchen might take 2-4 days, depending on complexity and accessibility. The “second fix” (connecting appliances, sockets, switches, and lights) happens after plastering and cabinet installation and is typically quicker. We coordinate closely with your kitchen fitters and other trades to minimise delays.

Q3: Will I be without power in the rest of my house during a kitchen rewire?

A: We aim to keep disruption to a minimum. While the kitchen circuits will be isolated for safety during the work, we strive to maintain power to the rest of your house wherever possible. There might be brief periods where the main power needs to be off for specific tasks like consumer unit work, but we will always inform you in advance.

Q4: My new kitchen is part of a home extension. How does that affect the electrical work?

A: If your kitchen is part of an extension, the electrical design will be integrated into the overall wiring plan for the new space. This typically involves running new circuits from your consumer unit to the extension to supply power and lighting for the kitchen and any other rooms within it (like a utility room or WC). All work will comply with Building Regulations for new extensions.

Q5: Can I use my kitchen during the electrical work?

A: During the main rewiring phase (first fix), it will be very disruptive, and power to kitchen circuits will be off for safety. It’s generally not practical to use the kitchen. For the second fix, disruption is less, but access will still be needed. Planning for alternative cooking/washing facilities is advisable.

Q6: What electrical certificates will I receive after my kitchen rewire?

A: Upon completion of the electrical work, you should receive an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) or a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC), depending on the extent of the work. These legally recognised documents confirm that the new installation or alterations comply with BS7671 (the UK Wiring Regulations). If the work is notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations, you should also receive a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate. These are important for your records and for any future sale of your property.

Planning Your Kitchen Rewire: A Step-by-Step Guide for Homeowners

Visualising Your New Kitchen Layout & Flow

Before a single cable is run or a socket considered, the journey to your dream kitchen begins in the realm of imagination, refined by practical vision. This is where you plan the future pulse of your culinary space – how it will look, how it will feel, and, crucially, how it will flow. Understanding the dance of daily activities within its planned confines is the first secret to an electrical layout that feels intuitive, effortless, and perfectly attuned to you.

Embrace the Plan: If you’re working with a kitchen designer, their detailed plans are your primary map. These drawings will show cabinet layouts, appliance locations, and often initial thoughts on lighting. Study these closely – they form the architectural skeleton upon which your electrical needs will be layered.
Walk Through Your Day: Mentally (or even physically, if the space exists) walk through your typical kitchen routines.
- Where will you make your morning coffee? Is there a convenient spot for the kettle and coffee machine, with sockets to match?
- Visualise your cooking process: moving from fridge to prep area, to hob, to oven. Where will you need power for mixers, blenders, or other gadgets during food preparation?
- Consider the cleaning zone around the sink and dishwasher. What needs power here?
Define Your Work Zones: Most kitchens naturally divide into key zones:
- Preparation Zone: Ample worktop space, usually needing good task lighting and accessible sockets for small appliances.
- Cooking Zone: The hob, oven, and microwave – each with specific power requirements and safety considerations for nearby electrical points.
- Cleaning Zone: Sink, dishwasher, and waste disposal if you have one. Sockets here need careful placement away from direct water sources.
- Storage Zones: While less power-intensive, consider if any internal cabinet lighting or power for in-drawer chargers might be desired.
The Impact of Islands and Peninsulas: If your design includes a kitchen island or peninsula, this often becomes a central hub for activity.
- Will it be used for food prep, requiring worktop sockets?
- Will it incorporate a hob or sink, each with their own electrical needs?
- Could it be a casual dining spot, perhaps with feature pendant lighting above and sockets for charging devices?
- Planning how power will be safely and neatly routed to an island is a key consideration for your electrician at an early stage.
Sketch it Out (Even Roughly): Don’t be afraid to make your own rough sketches over the designer’s plans, noting where you’d ideally like sockets, switches, and lights based on your personal workflow. This “mud map” can be invaluable when discussing your needs with your electrician.

Taking the time to thoroughly visualise your kitchen in action is the cornerstone of a successful electrical plan. It transforms abstract needs into concrete locations, ensuring your new kitchen isn’t just beautiful, but brilliantly functional too.

Think of your kitchen as a living ecosystem, where every appliance, large or small, plays a vital role in its daily menu’s and smooth operation. From the gentle hum of the fridge preserving fresh ingredients to the warming cuddle of the kettle for a comforting brew, each requires its own steady stream of energy. Thoughtful planning for these power sources now will allow your kitchen’s unique rhythm to flourish, ensuring every task flows with ease and every culinary moment is well supported.

Getting Practical – An Appliance Power Audit:

To ensure your kitchen can handle everything from a quick breakfast to a festive feast, a thorough “power audit” is essential. Go through your kitchen plan and list every appliance you intend to use, both now and in the foreseeable future.

Major Built-in & Freestanding Appliances: These are the workhorses of your kitchen and often require dedicated circuits or specific connection types.
- Cooking: Electric Oven(s), Electric Hob (Induction, Ceramic), separate Gas Hob (still needs electrical ignition), Built-in Microwave, Steam Oven, Warming Drawer.
- Cooling: Refrigerator, Freezer, or combined Fridge/Freezer units.
- Cleaning: Dishwasher.
- Laundry (if in kitchen/utility): Washing Machine, Tumble Dryer.
- Extraction: Cooker Hood/Extractor Fan (various types: integrated, chimney, island, downdraft).
- Specialty Built-ins: Integrated Coffee Machine, Wine Fridge/Beverage Cooler.
Worktop Appliances & Essential Gadgets: These bring convenience and versatility to your countertops.
- Daily Essentials: Kettle, Toaster.
- Secondary Cooking/Prep: Countertop Microwave (if not built-in), Air Fryer, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Pressure Cooker.
- Food Processors & Blenders: Stand Mixer, Hand Blender, Food Processor.
- Beverage Makers: Drip/Pod Coffee Machine (if not built-in).
- Entertainment/Utility: Small Radio, small TV, Smart Home Displays/Speakers (for recipes, music, etc.).
- Under-Sink Units: Waste Disposal Unit, Instant Hot Water Tap/Boiler unit.
Phone/Tablet Charging: Consider areas where you might want dedicated USB charging sockets or standard sockets for chargers.

Socket Outlet Strategy – Placement and Provision:

Once you have your appliance list, think carefully about where each will live and how it will be powered. This is crucial for both functionality and aesthetics:

Strategic Placement:
- Position socket outlets conveniently for each appliance. For worktop gadgets, think about which counter spaces you’ll naturally use for them.
- Avoid placing sockets where appliance cables will trail awkwardly or be at risk from heat or water.
Sufficient Numbers:
- It’s always better to have slightly too many sockets than too few. Aim for double sockets where possible.
- Consider common groupings – e.g., kettle and toaster often live side-by-side.
Integrated Appliances:
- These usually require a switched fused connection unit (SFCU) or a dedicated socket, often concealed within an adjacent cupboard or at a safe, accessible point for isolation. Discuss the best approach with your electrician and kitchen fitter.
Considering Splashbacks: If you’re planning glass or stone splashbacks, the exact position of any sockets or switches mounted on them must be determined before the splashback is templated and cut. Retrofitting is often impossible or very costly.
Islands and Peninsulas: As mentioned in Step 1, plan socket locations on islands carefully, considering pop-up sockets or those neatly integrated into the island’s side or end panels.

By meticulously planning the power requirements for every appliance, you ensure your electrician can design circuits that are safe, robust, and perfectly tailored to how you’ll use your new kitchen – no more hunting for extension leads or overloaded sockets!

Beyond the practical glow that guides your culinary tasks, kitchen lighting breathes atmosphere and personality into the heart of your home. Like an artist layering colours on a canvas, a well-designed lighting scheme blends different hues and intensities to create a space that is not only perfectly functional but also wonderfully inviting. From the bright clarity needed for intricate prep work to the soft ambiance for a relaxed evening meal, thoughtful lighting design transforms your kitchen into a truly adaptable and delightful environment.

Getting Practical – Layering Your Light:

A successful kitchen lighting plan typically incorporates several “layers” of light, each serving a distinct purpose:
- 1. General (Ambient) Lighting: This provides the overall illumination for the room, allowing you to navigate safely and comfortably.
  - Common Choices:
    - Recessed Spotlights/Downlights: A popular option, offering even light distribution. Consider their placement carefully to illuminate the whole room effectively, especially main walkways.
    - Ceiling-Mounted Fixtures: Can include flush-mounts, semi-flush mounts, or a central decorative pendant if the kitchen design allows.
- 2. Task Lighting: This is focused light directed at specific work areas, ensuring visibility for detailed tasks like chopping, cooking, and reading recipes.
  - Essential Areas:
    - Undercabinet Lights: Crucial for illuminating worktops directly beneath wall cabinets, eliminating shadows cast by general lighting. LED strips or slimline fittings are common.
    - Over-Hob Lighting: Often integrated into the cooker hood, but if not, ensure this key cooking zone is well lit.
    - Sink Area Lighting: Good visibility is important here too.
- 3. Accent (Mood) Lighting: This layer adds depth, character, and visual interest to your kitchen, highlighting architectural features or creating a specific mood.
  - Popular Options:
    - Pendant Lights: Perfect for positioning over kitchen islands, breakfast bars, or dining tables within an open-plan kitchen. They come in countless styles to match your decor.
    - Plinth Lighting (Kickboard Lights): Can create a subtle, floating effect for base cabinets and are great for low-level pathway lighting at night.
    - In-Cabinet or Glass Cabinet Lighting: To showcase glassware or decorative items.
    - Glass Splashback Illumination / Wall Wash Lighting: Can create a contemporary and stylish feature.
    - Over cabinet lighting: Can give a soft ambiance to the overall feel of the kitchen.
    - Worktop edge lighting: LED strip lighting that gives accent lighting to the fronts of your base units and draws or give a floating effect to your worktops.
Switching & Control – Making it Work for You:
- Convenient Placement: As a general rule, main light switches for each zone or layer should be conveniently located, typically near the entrance(s) to the kitchen.
- Logical Grouping: Group switches for different lighting layers logically so you can easily select the combination you need.
- Two-Way/Intermediate Switching: For larger kitchens or those with multiple entrances, consider two-way (or even intermediate) switching. This allows you to control the same set of lights from two or more different locations – for example, at either end of a long kitchen or galley.
- Dimmer Switches: These allow you to adjust the intensity of your lighting, which is perfect for changing the mood from bright task lighting to a softer evening ambiance.
  - Important Note: Dimmer switch modules are often deeper than standard switches. If you plan to use dimmers, ensure deeper back boxes are specified and installed during the “first fix” stage of your electrical work.
- Smart Lighting: Consider if you want to integrate any smart lighting controls, allowing you to manage your lights via voice commands, apps, or automated schedules.
Discussing your lighting vision with your electrician and kitchen designer early in the process will help ensure all necessary wiring and provisions are made to bring your perfectly lit kitchen to life.

A beautifully designed and highly functional kitchen must, above all, be a safe kitchen. Integral to this safety are reliable detection systems that provide early warnings in the event of a fire or the presence of dangerous gases. During a kitchen rewire, it’s the ideal time to ensure these life-saving devices are correctly specified and professionally installed.

Key Detection Systems for Your Kitchen and Home:
- Heat Detectors in the Kitchen:
  - Why a Heat Detector? In the kitchen itself, a mains-powered heat detector is the recommended type of alarm. Unlike smoke alarms, heat detectors are designed to react to a rapid rise in temperature (indicative of a fire) rather than smoke or cooking fumes. This significantly reduces the likelihood of frustrating false alarms caused by everyday cooking activities like toasting bread or frying.
  - Placement: Your electrician will install the heat detector in accordance with BS 5839-6, typically on the ceiling and in a central location, but away from areas directly above hobs or ovens where intense heat could cause nuisance activations.
- Smoke Alarms for Escape Routes:
  - While a heat alarm is for the kitchen, mains-powered smoke alarms (with battery backup) are essential in the circulation spaces and escape routes of your home – such as hallways and landings on each floor.
  - These should be interlinked with the kitchen heat alarm, meaning if one alarm activates, all alarms in the system will sound. This ensures that a fire detected in the kitchen will trigger alarms throughout the property, providing the earliest possible warning, especially to those in bedrooms.
  - Audibility: Smoke alarms must be positioned so they are clearly audible in all bedrooms to wake sleeping occupants. Your electrician will advise on the optimal locations to achieve this, complying with BS 5839-6.
- Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms:
  - Essential with Fuel-Burning Appliances: If your kitchen (or any adjoining utility room connected to the kitchen space) contains any fuel-burning appliances – such as a gas hob, gas oven, or a gas boiler – a carbon monoxide alarm is a legal requirement and a vital safety device. CO is a highly poisonous gas that is colourless, odourless, and tasteless.
  - Placement: CO alarms should be placed in the same room as the fuel-burning appliance(s), typically at head height and a specific distance away from the appliance, as recommended by the alarm manufacturer and relevant regulations. They can be mains-powered or battery-powered with a long-life sealed battery.
Important Considerations:
- Interlinking: All mains-powered heat and smoke alarms installed as part of a rewire should be interlinked.
- Compliance: Ensure all detection systems are installed in accordance with the current revision of BS 5839-6 (for fire detection and fire alarm systems for domestic buildings) and BS EN 50292 (for CO alarms).
- Regular Testing: Once installed, all alarms should be tested regularly (usually weekly by pressing the test button) to ensure they are functioning correctly.
By incorporating these essential safety detection systems into your kitchen rewire plan, you are taking crucial steps to protect your home and family, providing invaluable peace of mind. Discuss these requirements with your Netfixx electrician to ensure your kitchen is as safe as it is stunning.

In today’s interconnected world, our homes are becoming smarter, more responsive, and seamlessly integrated with our digital lives. Your kitchen, the bustling hub of daily activity, is no exception. Planning for robust connectivity and considering smart features during your rewire can transform it from a mere cooking space into an intelligent, interactive environment that simplifies tasks, enhances entertainment, and future-proofs your home.

Getting Practical – Integrating Modern Connectivity:
- Wired for Speed and Stability (Ethernet Connections):
  - While Wi-Fi is convenient, a hard-wired Ethernet connection offers unparalleled speed, stability, and reliability – ideal for devices that demand consistent, high-bandwidth performance.
  - Consider for: Smart TVs (often found in larger kitchen-diners), desktop computers or work-from-home stations in or near the kitchen, gaming consoles used by family members, and Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices that might house your media.
  - Planning: Identify locations for data outlets (Ethernet ports) alongside power sockets. These will be cabled back to your main internet router or a network switch.
- Seamless Wireless Coverage (Wi-Fi and WAPs):
  - Good Wi-Fi coverage throughout your kitchen is essential for smartphones, tablets (for recipes or entertainment), smart speakers, and many IoT devices.
  - Addressing Dead Spots: If your property currently suffers from inconsistent Wi-Fi or “dead spots,” especially in the kitchen area (which can sometimes be affected by appliance interference or thick walls), now is the time to plan for improvements.
  - Wireless Access Points (WAPs): For larger kitchens or homes with challenging Wi-Fi, strategically placed WAPs can provide strong, consistent coverage. These devices connect back to your main router via an Ethernet cable and extend your Wi-Fi network. Your electrician can install the necessary cabling during the first fix.
  - Power over Ethernet (PoE): Many modern WAPs can be powered via their Ethernet cable using PoE technology. This means the WAP doesn’t need its own separate power socket at its mounting location, offering a neater installation, often high on a wall or on the ceiling.
- Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart Home Integration:
  - The “Internet of Things” refers to everyday devices that connect to the internet, offering enhanced control and automation. Your kitchen can be a prime location for these.
  - Consider:
    - Smart Lighting: Control kitchen lights via voice commands, apps, or automated schedules (e.g., dimming lights in the evening).
    - Smart Thermostats: If your heating controls are accessible from or affect the kitchen area.
    - Smart Appliances: Many new fridges, ovens, and coffee machines offer Wi-Fi connectivity for remote control, diagnostics, or updates. Ensure your Wi-Fi can reach them.
    - Smart Speakers/Displays: For hands-free help with recipes, timers, music, or controlling other smart devices.
  - Planning: Discuss any specific smart devices you plan to install with your electrician. Some may require specific wiring, while others rely solely on good Wi-Fi coverage.
Thinking about these connectivity and smart features now, during the planning phase of your kitchen rewire, ensures that your new kitchen is not only equipped for today’s technology but also ready for the innovations of tomorrow.

- A new kitchen is rarely just an electrical project; it’s a symphony of skills, a collaboration between various trades all working towards a single, harmonious result. From the plumber laying new pipes to the tiler crafting your perfect splashback, effective coordination with your electrician is the key that ensures every part of your kitchen renovation flows smoothly, on time, and without costly misunderstandings.
  
  Getting Practical – The Importance of Teamwork and Timing:
  - Open Communication is Crucial:
    - Ensure there’s a clear line of communication between all parties involved: your electrician, kitchen fitter/designer, plumber, plasterer, tiler, and worktop installers.
    - Establish who is project managing the overall renovation. If it’s you, then you’ll play a key role in this coordination. If it’s a main contractor or kitchen company, ensure they have a robust plan for inter-trade communication.
  - Understanding the Sequence of Works: The timing of electrical work in relation to other trades is critical:
    - Electrical First Fix: This is one of the earlier stages, typically happening after any structural changes or initial plumbing “first fix” work, but before plasterboarding (if new walls/ceilings are being installed) or any “wet” plastering. During the electrical first fix, new cables are run, and back boxes for sockets, switches, and light fittings are installed in their planned positions.
    - Plastering/Boarding: Once the electrical first fix is complete and has been checked, the walls and ceilings can be plasterboarded and/or plastered.
    - Cabinet Installation: Kitchen cabinets are usually installed after plastering is complete and dry.
    - Worktop Templating & Fitting: Worktops are templated once base cabinets are firmly in place. This is especially important if sockets or hobs are being cut into the worktop.
    - Tiling/Splashbacks: Tiling or the installation of splashbacks typically happens after worktops are fitted. The exact placement of electrical accessories on these surfaces needs to be finalised before this stage.
    - Electrical Second Fix: This is one of the later stages. Once decorating is substantially complete (or at least any plastering/tiling that directly impacts electrical accessories is done), your electrician will return to install the faceplates for sockets and switches, connect light fittings, install the consumer unit, and connect all appliances.
  - Why Sequencing Matters:
    - Avoiding Rework: Getting the sequence right prevents damage to finished surfaces and avoids the need to undo completed work (e.g., chasing newly plastered walls for forgotten cables).
    - Minimising Delays: Good coordination helps prevent one trade from holding up another, keeping your project on schedule.
    - Ensuring a Quality Finish: For example, fitting electrical accessories after plastering ensures a neat finish with minimal gaps, as required by regulations.
  - Your Role as a Homeowner:
    - Ensure all tradespeople have copies of the relevant plans (kitchen design, electrical layout).
    - Facilitate communication if needed, or ensure your project manager is doing so effectively.
    - Understand the schedule and when different trades will need access.
  Clear planning and proactive communication between all trades involved in your kitchen renovation will pave the way for a less stressful project and a beautifully finished kitchen where every element, including the vital electrics, works in perfect concert.

"Why Choose Netfixx for Your Kitchen Rewire?"

Planning and executing the electrical work for a new kitchen requires skill, experience, and a deep understanding of both modern demands and regulatory standards. At Netfixx, we bring decades of expertise to every kitchen rewire project, ensuring your vision is realised safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards of quality.

Here’s why homeowners trust Netfixx for their kitchen rewires and electrical installations:

Over 40 Years of Proven Experience: Our team of qualified electricians possesses a wealth of knowledge gained from over four decades in the electrical industry, spanning domestic, commercial, and industrial projects. This includes extensive, hands-on experience with countless kitchen fit-outs, from simple upgrades to complex, high-specification installations.
Comprehensive Electrical Expertise: We have a broad and deep understanding of all aspects of electrical work pertinent to modern kitchens:
- Power circuit design for all appliance types.
- Creative and effective lighting schemes (including LED, smart lighting).
- Mains supply and distribution upgrades if needed.
- Data communications and networking for smart kitchens.
- Integration of security, fire detection, and automation systems.
Seamless Service, Including Plastering: Unlike many electrical contractors, Netfixx offers a high-standard plastering service. This means we can expertly make good any chased walls or disruptive work, providing a smoother, more coordinated renovation process for you.
Unwavering Commitment to Safety and Compliance: Your safety is our top priority. All our work is carried out in strict accordance with BS7671 (the UK Wiring Regulations) and relevant Building Regulations (Part P). We are NICEIC Approved Contractors, fully insured, and provide all necessary certification for your peace of mind.
Transparent Communication & Project Management: We believe in clear, honest communication throughout your project. From the initial consultation and detailed quotation to progress updates and final handover, we keep you informed every step of the way. We work diligently to coordinate with your other trades, ensuring your kitchen project runs as smoothly as possible.
Focus on Quality and Customer Satisfaction: We take immense pride in the quality of our workmanship and strive for complete customer satisfaction. We use high-quality materials and proven techniques to deliver an electrical installation that is not only safe and compliant but also robust and built to last.

Ready to Discuss Your Dream Kitchen?

If you’re planning a kitchen renovation or a new kitchen installation which requires a kitchen rewire, and need a local electrician in Central London, Southwest London, or the North Surrey areas (including Wimbledon, Kingston, Richmond, and Surbiton), and you need expert electrical advice and installation services, Netfixx is here to help.

Let us bring our experience and dedication to quality to your project.

Contact us today for an initial discussion about your kitchen electrical needs. Call us on 0207 0600 999 or email us at office@netfixx.co.uk. We look forward to helping you create the safe, functional, and stunning kitchen you deserve.