Commercial Electrical Works for Shops and Offices

Who commercial electrical works suit

Almost every fit-out involves electrical work, but it matters most when the layout changes or new equipment is added.

• New tenants whose unit has too few or badly placed power points.
• Retail shops adding counters, displays, chargers and tills.
• Offices and showrooms reorganising desks, meeting rooms and reception.
• Cafes and salons adding equipment that draws more power.

Typical problems solved: sockets that sit behind fixtures, trailing extension leads, overloaded circuits and ceilings with uneven lighting.

Previous tenants often leave power points where you no longer need them. Good electrical planning starts from the business, not the ceiling: what runs all day, what is used occasionally, and where staff and customers will actually stand. The same unit can need very different provisions depending on whether it is a quiet showroom or a busy counter with several terminals.

What does an electrical scope usually include?

An electrical scope usually covers new or relocated power points, wiring to those points, general lighting installation, switches, and planning of circuits and the distribution board in general terms. The aim is to supply power safely and conveniently to where the business needs it.

Feature, display and controlled lighting belong under architectural feature lighting.

How should power points and circuits be planned?

Plan power from the equipment list, not the floor plan alone. List every device that needs power, where it will sit and whether it runs all day. This shows how many points are needed, where, and whether separate circuits make sense.

• Place points at counters, display bases, wall fixtures and staff areas before joinery is built.
• Allow extra points for future equipment rather than relying on extension leads.
• Consider data and charging needs alongside power.
• Keep high-draw equipment on suitable circuits, as confirmed by a qualified person.
• Mark all positions on drawings to share with the carpenter.

Electrical positions that are fixed late often mean cutting finished walls or joinery. Decide them early.

Lighting and wiring: options and trade-offs

General lighting should make the space comfortable and usable; feature lighting then adds emphasis. Choices usually balance brightness, appearance and flexibility.

• Recessed or surface-mounted: recessed looks tidy but needs ceiling space; surface-mounted suits tighter ceilings.
• Fixed or track lighting: tracks allow fittings to be moved as displays change.
• Warm or cool light: warmer tones suit relaxed settings; cooler tones suit task areas. Mixed tones in one space can look uneven.
• Concealed or exposed wiring: concealed is neater; exposed is simpler to alter later.

For display-specific ideas, see lighting a retail display.

What drives the electrical budget?

Electrical cost is driven by the number of points and fittings, the length and difficulty of wiring routes, ceiling and wall conditions, and any upgrade to the supply or distribution board. Late changes after finishes are in place are usually the most expensive to correct.

• Quantity and type of power points and light fittings.
• Whether walls and ceilings are open or already finished.
• Supply capacity relative to your equipment.
• Quality and type of fittings chosen.
• Working-hour restrictions that slow site access.

No figures are listed because they depend entirely on your layout and equipment.

Planning and lead-time factors

Electrical work happens in stages: rough-in before ceilings and walls are closed, then fittings and final connection near the end. Duration depends on the scope and no timeline is promised here.

• Finalised layout and equipment list.
• Availability of chosen light fittings and accessories.
• Completion of ceilings and walls before fittings go in.
• Any checks or submissions required before power is energised.
• Coordination with the landlord for isolating supply where necessary.

Coordination, approvals and safety

Electrical work should be carried out and checked by suitably qualified people. Some works may need submissions by qualified professionals; these should be identified at the site assessment stage. Check with your landlord or mall management about approvals, permitted working hours and contractor rules.

Electrical works connect to almost every other trade: ceiling work for lighting, carpentry for counter cutouts, flooring for floor boxes, and painting after fittings are positioned. Planning them together under design and build coordination reduces clashes.

Common electrical planning mistakes

Power problems are usually obvious only after the shop opens, when they are hardest to fix. A little planning avoids most of them.

• Counting points from the floor plan instead of the equipment list.
• Placing sockets where joinery or display fixtures will cover them.
• Relying on extension leads for permanent equipment.
• Choosing light fittings late, after ceiling work has closed.
• Mixing warm and cool light tones across one space.
• Leaving no spare capacity for equipment added later.

A marked-up plan showing every point, switch and light fitting, agreed before work starts, is the simplest way to avoid these.

The intended process and what to prepare

Each electrical project is planned to follow these steps:

1. Discuss your equipment, layout and lighting needs.
2. Check existing conditions on site.
3. Mark power, lighting and switch positions on a plan.
4. Confirm scope and sequence with other trades.
5. Install, test and review before handover.

Send us your floor plan, unit photos, a list of equipment with its power needs, and your target opening date. We'll discuss your scope. Related pages: commercial carpentry and commercial renovation.