Home Renovations That Require a Professional Electrician

Last updated: September 2026


Taking on a home renovation or DIY project can be a lot of fun. But there are some things, like electrical work, that should be left to the professionals. Working with electricity can be dangerous, leaving you at risk for shock or worse.

That’s why you should call professional electricians who can ensure any adjustments to your wiring or electrical panels are completed safely. In this blog, we’ve listed all the home renovation projects that will require the attention of a licensed electrician.

Upgrading an Electrical Panel

Electrical panel upgrade during a home renovation

If you are adding a new appliance, you may need to upgrade your electrical panel too. New appliances often require more power to operate safely. You might also need to update your electrical panel when renovating an older home to meet current electrical code requirements. These upgrades should be left to licensed professionals. They can ensure your new panel is wired properly and help prevent overloaded circuits, tripped breakers, and other electrical hazards.

Installing New Electrical Wiring

Many older homes have wiring that does not meet current building codes. You may also need to install electrical wiring if you are adding new light fixtures or completing a renovation. It’s best to call a professional when installing new wiring. This work may involve live wires and requires a proper understanding of your electrical panel. A licensed electrician can determine which areas of your home need to have the power temporarily shut off.

A professional electrician has the knowledge and expertise to safely install new electrical wiring so you can enjoy better service.

New electrical wiring and breakers for a renovation

Light Fixture or Ceiling Fan Installation

Pot light installation in a renovated space

Nothing can add a sense of elegance and grandeur like new lighting fixtures. This is a time when it is definitely best to call in the professionals. Installing light fixtures can be tricky and requires an understanding of wiring and electrical currents. This is also true for ceiling fans. Both require specific wiring to function properly and this should be handled by an expert electrician.

Kitchen Remodeling

Upgrading a kitchen often requires extensive rewiring to accommodate new appliances and light fixtures. During a kitchen renovation, you may need to change the wiring within the walls to increase electrical service and power capacity for modern appliances. Many kitchen receptacles and appliances require 20A circuits to meet their electrical demands. A licensed electrician can upgrade the wiring and circuits to meet these requirements, helping prevent overloaded circuits, tripped breakers, and potential appliance damage.

Outlet installation in a kitchen island

Do I Need an Electrician for That? Quick Answers

Not every electrical job needs a pro — but many that look simple do. Here are honest answers to the questions Toronto homeowners ask us most, so you know when it’s safe to DIY and when to call a licensed electrician.

If you’re swapping an identical unit onto an existing compatible base without changing the wiring, many homeowners handle it themselves. But if wiring must be altered, the base replaced, or detectors interconnected, use a licensed electrical contractor. In Ontario, electrical wiring changes must meet the Ontario Electrical Safety Code and generally require an ESA Notification of Work.

A like-for-like light fixture replacement may be exempt from ESA notification in an owner-occupied home when specific conditions are met. Ceiling fans are different because they need a box rated to support the fan. If new wiring, a new switch, or a new fan-rated box is required, use a licensed electrical contractor.

Replacing a worn outlet looks simple, but miswired grounds, reversed polarity, and loose connections can create serious problems. Aluminum-wired homes should not be treated as a DIY project. In Ontario, homeowners may perform electrical work in their own home, but the work must meet the Ontario Electrical Safety Code and required ESA notifications must be filed.

Plug-in dishwashers connect like other appliances. Hardwired dishwashers require proper electrical connections, and new circuits or wiring changes generally require an ESA notification. Low-voltage thermostats are usually simpler to replace, while line-voltage thermostats used with electric baseboard heating carry full household voltage and are best handled by a licensed electrical contractor.

Contact Us


These tips should help you determine which home electrical projects you can tackle yourself and which require a professional electrician. The team at Ontime Electric can help with all your home electrical upgrades, providing fast, knowledgeable installation and service. We are here for you 24/7, providing emergency electrical services so you never have to worry about finding an electrician. We believe in providing exceptional service to our clients. That’s why we offer fully licensed and insured electrical services, backed by a full warranty with no hidden fees.

Contact us today to discuss your home renovation project. Let Ontime Electric provide safe, professional electrical upgrades for your home.