How do I run electrical to my basement renovation in British Columbia?

Running electrical to a basement renovation in BC requires a licensed electrical contractor and Technical Safety BC permits and inspections. As a homeowner, you cannot legally do electrical rough-in work yourself, even in your own home.

The Legal Requirements

Under BC regulations, all electrical work beyond simple fixture replacements must be performed by a Technical Safety BC (TSBC) licensed electrical contractor. This includes running new circuits, installing panels, outlets, and switches. The contractor must pull electrical permits and arrange for TSBC inspections at rough-in and final stages. Attempting to do this work yourself or hiring an unlicensed person puts you at serious risk for insurance claims, resale issues, and safety hazards.

Your electrical contractor will need to assess your existing electrical panel capacity. Most basement renovations require 3-6 new circuits depending on the scope — general lighting, receptacles, bathroom GFCI, and potentially dedicated circuits for electric heat, hot water tank, or workshop equipment. If your panel is full or outdated (especially panels from the 1960s-80s), you may need a panel upgrade which adds $2,500-$5,000 to the project.

Planning Your Electrical Layout

Before the contractor starts, plan your basement layout carefully. BC Building Code (BCBC 2024) requires specific outlet spacing (maximum 3.7m apart along walls), GFCI protection in bathrooms and utility areas, and proper egress lighting for basement bedrooms or suites. If you're creating a secondary suite, additional requirements apply including separate electrical meters in some municipalities and interconnected smoke alarms throughout both levels of the home.

Consider future needs now — it's much cheaper to run extra circuits during renovation than to fish wires through finished walls later. Think about home theater systems, workshop areas, electric vehicle charging (requires 240V), or heat pump installations. Vancouver's push toward electrification means many homeowners are adding heat pumps and electric hot water tanks, which require substantial electrical capacity.

Typical Costs and Timeline

Electrical rough-in for a basic basement renovation runs $3,000-$8,000 depending on square footage and complexity. This includes new circuits, outlets, switches, and basic lighting but excludes the panel upgrade if needed. Add $1,500-$3,000 for bathroom ventilation fans, pot lights, or specialty circuits. Panel upgrades range $2,500-$5,000 for standard 200-amp service.

The process typically takes 2-3 weeks from permit application to final inspection. TSBC rough-in inspection happens after wiring is complete but before drywall goes up — this timing is critical for your renovation schedule.

Next Steps

Contact licensed electrical contractors through our Vancouver directory for quotes and timeline estimates. Ensure any contractor you hire is properly licensed with Technical Safety BC and carries WorkSafeBC coverage. Get the electrical work permitted and inspected properly — it's not worth the risk to cut corners on something this fundamental to your home's safety and value.