The kitchen is the most power-hungry room in the house. A renovation is the right moment to bring everything up to code — outlets, circuits, lighting, island. Here’s the essential.
Many appliances, little tolerance
Oven, cooktop, microwave, dishwasher, fridge, small appliances… A kitchen concentrates an enormous load. Renovating is the chance to bring everything up to code — which avoids the classic: breakers tripping the moment two appliances run.
What an up-to-code kitchen requires
Counter outlets
Maximum 2 outlets per 20 A circuit. Those near the sink must be GFCI-protected (shock protection).
2 max · 20 ADishwasher
On its own dedicated circuit — never shared with counter outlets.
Dedicated circuitRefrigerator
Also a dedicated circuit, so a trip elsewhere never cuts food preservation.
Dedicated circuitFreezer & wine fridge
A freezer, if present, must be dedicated. For a wine fridge, we recommend a dedicated circuit too.
Dedicated / recommendedRange, wall oven, cooktop
Circuit and amperage according to each appliance’s specifications — we validate the spec sheets before installing.
Per applianceRange hood
Plan it from the start, with its supply in the right place.
To planAlways according to the appliance
There’s no one-size-fits-all: every appliance has its requirements. That’s why you have to go specifically by your appliances’ specifications — and why it’s essential to present your plan to our master electrician before the work.
Non-dedicated outlets — and everything gets reopened
It’s the mistake we repair most often after a botched reno: non-dedicated outlets or badly built circuits. The catch? To fix it, you have to reopen walls, sometimes ceilings, and even remove the backsplash to re-run wiring. Far more expensive and messy than doing it right the first time.
Do the walls really need to be opened?
Most of the time, opening the walls during the reno is recommended — it’s the ideal moment. But not always necessary: if the cabinets are out and there’s no backsplash, we can usually make the changes without causing damage, even with the walls closed.
The island: outlets are mandatory
Many clients don’t want them for aesthetic reasons… but the Electrical Code requires us to install outlets on the island. It’s not optional. We integrate them as discreetly as possible, in the right spot.
The cabinet plan, above all
To place every outlet and every supply in the right spot, we need one thing: the exact location of the cabinets, in coordination with your kitchen designer or cabinetmaker. That’s what lets the electrical and the millwork line up perfectly — no outlet hidden behind a cabinet, no supply in the wrong place.
A kitchen thought through to the outlet
CMEQ-certified company holding an RBQ licence, serving Greater Montréal, Laval, the North Shore, the Laurentians and Lanaudière. We plan with you and your other trades, by the book.
Renovating your kitchen?
Let’s talk before the walls close up. We plan the electrical from A to Z, cleanly. Free quote.
What homeowners ask us
How many outlets per counter circuit?+
Maximum 2 outlets per 20 A circuit. Outlets near the sink must also be GFCI-protected.
Which appliances need a dedicated circuit?+
The dishwasher, the refrigerator and the freezer if present. We also recommend a dedicated circuit for a wine fridge. Range, oven and cooktop follow each appliance’s specifications.
Do I have to open the walls to redo the electrical?+
It’s often recommended during the reno. But if the cabinets are out and there’s no backsplash, we can usually do the changes without damage, even with walls closed.
Am I required to have outlets on my island?+
Yes. The Electrical Code requires outlets on the island, even if you’d rather not have them. We place them as discreetly as possible.
When should the electrician get involved?+
As soon as the cabinet plan is final. With the exact cabinet locations, we place every outlet and supply in the right spot.
