Should You Upgrade Your Power Points When Renovating?

Short answer: yes.

Long answer: if you’re already opening walls, changing layouts, and upgrading your home… not upgrading your power points is one of those decisions you’ll regret every single day afterward.

Renovations are the easiest, most cost-effective time to improve your electrical setup. Once the walls are closed and furniture is back in place, adding outlets becomes more expensive and more disruptive.

Why Renovation Is the Best Time to Upgrade Power Points

During a renovation:

Walls may already be open
Electrical access is easier
Trades are already on site
Layout changes are being made

This means electricians can:

Run new wiring more easily
Install additional outlets with less labour
Optimise placement based on your new layout

After renovation, the same work becomes more complex and costly.

1. Modern Homes Need More Power Points

Let’s be honest. Most older Brisbane homes don’t have enough outlets.

Renovating often adds:

Larger TVs
Kitchen appliances
Home office setups
Charging stations
Smart home devices

If you keep the old outlet layout, you’ll end up relying on:

Power boards
Extension leads
Adapters everywhere

Which defeats the point of upgrading your home in the first place.

2. Improve Layout and Convenience

Renovation gives you a chance to place power points exactly where you need them.

Instead of working around awkward existing outlets, you can design for how you actually live.

Smart placement includes:

Behind wall-mounted TVs
On kitchen island benches
Beside beds (both sides, not just one like it’s 1980)
Near desks and workspaces
In walk-in robes or vanities
Outdoor entertaining areas

This improves both functionality and aesthetics.

3. Reduce Reliance on Power Boards

Power boards are the unofficial symbol of poor electrical planning.

They’re fine temporarily. Not ideal permanently.

Overuse can lead to:

Overloaded circuits
Heat buildup
Fire risk
Messy cable setups

Installing sufficient power points eliminates the need for constant workarounds.

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4. Upgrade to Modern Outlet Features

Renovation is also the perfect time to upgrade to modern power point designs.

Options include:

USB and USB-C charging outlets
Slimline or designer finishes
Pop-up kitchen outlets
Weatherproof outdoor outlets
Smart outlets with Wi-Fi control

These upgrades make your home more practical and future-ready.

5. Check Circuit Capacity at the Same Time

Adding more power points isn’t just about quantity. It’s about capacity.

If your renovation includes:

New appliances
Larger kitchens
Air conditioning
Home offices

your existing circuits may not be sufficient.

An electrician may recommend:

Additional circuits
Load balancing
Switchboard upgrades

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6. Meet Current Electrical Standards

Electrical standards have evolved over time.

Older installations may not meet current requirements under:

Australian wiring standards
Electrical Safety Act 2002 (QLD)

Upgrading power points during renovation helps ensure:

Proper spacing and placement
Safe installation
Compliance with modern regulations

This is especially important if you plan to sell or rent the property in the future.

7. Future-Proof Your Home

Most people underestimate how quickly electrical demand grows.

Think about what you might add in the next few years:

Electric vehicle chargers
More home office equipment
Smart home systems
Additional appliances

Adding extra outlets now is significantly cheaper than retrofitting later.

How Many Power Points Should You Add?

It depends on the room, but general modern guidelines are:

Living room: 6–10 outlets
Kitchen: 8–12 outlets
Bedrooms: 4–6 outlets
Home office: 6–8 outlets

If you’re unsure, the safe answer is: more than you think you need.

You won’t regret extra outlets. You will regret not having enough.

When You Should Definitely Upgrade Power Points

During renovation, upgrading is essential if:

Your home is more than 20 years old
You rely heavily on power boards
Outlets are loose or damaged
You’re changing room layouts
You’re installing new appliances

These are clear signs your electrical system needs improvement.

Why You Shouldn’t Delay Until After Renovation

Once renovation is complete:

Walls are closed
Finishes are complete
Furniture is installed

Adding power points later may require:

Cutting into walls
Repainting
Additional labour costs

Doing it during renovation avoids all of that.

When to Call a Licensed Electrician

Electrical work in Queensland must be carried out by licensed electricians.

You should involve an electrician:

During renovation planning
Before walls are closed
When adding new appliances
When upgrading circuits or switchboards

Early planning leads to better results and fewer surprises.

FAQs: Power Points and Renovations

Should I upgrade power points during renovation?

Yes. It’s the most cost-effective and practical time to improve your electrical setup.

How many power points should I install?

Modern homes typically need significantly more outlets than older homes, depending on room usage.

Can I add power points after renovation?

Yes, but it’s more expensive and disruptive compared to doing it during renovation.

Do I need to upgrade my switchboard as well?

Possibly. If your system can’t support additional load, a switchboard upgrade may be required.

Are USB power points worth it?

Yes. They provide convenient charging without needing adapters and are increasingly standard in modern homes.

Don’t Renovate the House and Ignore the Wiring

Renovations are about improving how your home looks and functions.

Ignoring your electrical setup means you’ll still be dealing with the same frustrations after everything is finished.

Exclusive Electrical & Air helps Brisbane homeowners with:

Power point installation
Electrical upgrades during renovation
Switchboard upgrades
Circuit planning and installation
Electrical inspections

If you’re already investing in your home, upgrading your power points is one of the simplest ways to make that investment actually work for you.

Because nothing ruins a fresh renovation faster than fighting over one available outlet.