Building your own home is one of the most rewarding things you can do, but it also comes with a steep learning curve.
As an owner builder in Australia, one thing you can’t DIY is the electrical work. Legally, all electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician.
Even though you can’t wire the house yourself, you’ll still need to manage and plan this trade carefully. The right planning can save you headaches, time, and money later.
Dan from Blue Spark Energy, a licensed electrician based in Margaret River, is currently building his own family home. He’s been kind enough to share his top 9 electrical tips for owner builders when it comes to the electrical side of things.
1. Check Your Electrician’s Licence
The first electrical tip is to always make sure your electrician is licensed! Their electrical licence number should be clearly displayed on their website, vehicle, or advertising.
Take a minute to look it up online and confirm they’re qualified, it’s your best insurance against unsafe or non-compliant work.
2. Get a Certificate of Compliance
At the end of the job, your electrician must provide a Certificate of Compliance (or similar state-based documentation).
This proves the work meets Australian Standards and protects you if anything goes wrong later. Never skip this step.
3. Plan Power Before Pouring the Slab
If you want power in your island bench or floor outlets for things like electric recliners, this needs to be set up before the concrete slab is poured.
Retrofitting power later can be extremely difficult and expensive.
Before the pour, double-check that all conduit and cables are in place especially for:
- Kitchen island benches
- Floor outlets in living areas
4. Think Ahead with Skillion Roofs
Skillion (or raked) roofs look great but can be a nightmare when it comes to adding wiring later.
The limited roof cavity makes it tricky to access or upgrade cables once the ceilings in place.
If you’re building a scillion design, Dan strongly recommends:
- Running extra conduits or cables now for future circuits
- Adding provisions for fans, aircons, lights, and power points you might want later
- Discussing future upgrades with your sparkie before lining the ceiling
5. Add Provisions for Solar
Even if solar panels aren’t in your initial budget, it’s smart to plan for them.
Ask your electrician to run the solar conduit and add a roof penetration point during the build.
Doing it now saves you money later. Running a new solar cable through a finished roof can easily cost hundreds more once plaster and insulation are in.
6. Plan for the Future
As far as electrical tips go, this is a great one! Think about what you might want down the track. It’s much easier to run an extra circuit or two now than to rip up walls later.
Common future provisions include:
- A power point in the hallway or garage for vacuum cleaners
- Electric car charger conduit
- Security camera cabling (especially if you’re running Cat6 data cable)
- A Wi-Fi dongle or router power point near your NBN location
- Outdoor lighting or garden power points
- Electric Gates
- Pressure Pump for water tank
- Septic System
7. Choose Appliances Early
Some cooktops, ovens, and hot water systems draw a lot more current and require thicker cables (4mm, 6mm, or even 10mm).
If your electrician doesn’t know which model you’re installing, they may need to re-run the cable later, not ideal once walls are lined.
Decide on your key appliances early, and share the specs with your electrician before rough-in.
8. Ask About BP’s
Not all electricians wire homes the same way. Ask your sparkie if they use Bps rather than solder-and-tape joins.
Bps make it easier to upgrade, locate, or repair circuits later and are generally considered best practice. They also make it easier to fault find if required later on.
Some volume builders skip them to save time, but it’s not how Dan would wire his own house.
9. Don’t Forget the Lighting Plan
Lighting is one of the most overlooked parts of an electrical plan. Before your electrician starts, walk through the house and think about:
- Task lighting (e.g. kitchen benches, mirrors)
- Ambient lighting (e.g. pendants, dimmable LEDs)
- Feature lighting (e.g. wall lights, outdoor spots)
- Switch locations — where will you reach for them?
- Bring a neutral and earth down to your lighting switches as this ensures future proofing if you decide to upgrade to an illuminated switch
Good lighting transforms a home and is hard to change later without cutting into walls or ceilings.
Conclusion
Building your own home is a massive project, but planning your electrical work early makes everything smoother, safer, and more cost-effective.
Communicate clearly with your electrician, think ahead about future needs, and never cut corners on compliance.
If you’re an owner builder in Western Australia and want reliable, practical advice from a licensed local sparkie, reach out to Dan at Blue Spark Energy.
Author Bio:
Dan is a licensed electrician based in Margaret River who helps owner builders with safe and efficient electrical solutions. He’s currently building his own home and is passionate about helping others create their dream family home.
FAQs
Do I need a licensed electrician for owner builder work?
Yes. All electrical work in Australia must be completed and certified by a licensed electrician. It’s illegal (and dangerous) to do your own wiring.
Can I do any of the electrical prep myself?
You can install conduits, chase walls, or mount back boxes under your electrician’s supervision, but they must inspect and approve it before wiring. Always confirm with your sparkie first.
When’s the best time to bring in an electrician?
Ideally, before the slab is poured. This allows for early planning around power points, conduits, and external services like NBN or solar.
