Electrical Work in Renovation: Why It's More Important Than Pretty Wallpaper and What You Need to Know Before Starting

Watch all Episodes of the Renovation Show here:

• Episode 1: Bought a Damaged Stalin-era Apartment – What Went Wrong?
• Episode 2: Relocation: What Solution Saved Our Stalin-era Apartment?
• Episode 3: Expensive Mistakes in Renovation.
• Episode 4: How to Stay Within 3 Million Rubles? Finish Decorating.
• Episode 5: It Was a Nightmare, But We Made It Through – Room Tour of Stalin-era Apartment.

Choosing tiles, finding the perfect paint for walls, and selecting stylish furniture – all these are undoubtedly exciting stages of renovation. But while you browse Pinterest for interior design inspiration, the most crucial aspect of updating your home might be overlooked. In our new show "Renovation Movement," renovation expert Ksenia Shahmatova, who has implemented over 250 projects in just 3 years, shares the key insight: "Nothing is more important than electrical work in an apartment overall because it's directly related to safety and fire hazards. "

• Electrical work directly impacts the safety of your home;

• A professional approach to wiring helps avoid hidden problems;

• High-quality materials and proper installation prevent fires;

• A well-designed wiring system ensures convenience and durability.

Why Ceiling Wiring Is Not a Cost-Cutting Measure but a Safety Feature

Many people have heard that electrical wiring is better run along the ceiling, but few understand the true reasons. In their renovation project, Ksenia explains: "We run three-core non-flammable GOST wires along the ceiling, and additionally in conduit. This is also for safety, as if there's a fire, the conduit will prevent burning. "

Ceiling wiring offers several advantages:

• It prevents damage to wiring during future renovations;

• It makes wires easily accessible for repairs when needed;

• With drop-down ceilings, wires can be easily hidden without losing access to them.

Splices and Junction Boxes: Main Enemies of Safety

One of the key principles of quality electrical work, emphasized by professionals in our show: "We don't have any junction boxes or splices on the ceiling. On the ceiling, only clean wires run. Any wiring or connections happen only at outlets or in the electrical panel."

This is critically important, as spliced wires and improperly organized connections are the most common causes of fires. As Ksenia explains: "Any outlet, any light point – all will run perpendicular to the ceiling. "

Schema That Will Protect Your Walls from Unnecessary Holes

Imagine this: You hang a picture on the wall, hammer a nail, and accidentally hit the wiring. This is not only dangerous but also very expensive to repair. In "Renovation Movement," experts share a simple, yet effective rule for electrical planning:

"A standard layout – from any outlet or switch, run the wires straight up along the line, so you won't miss them."

With this setup, you always know where the electrical wiring is located and can safely drill or mount anything to the walls in other areas.

Why You Shouldn't Cut Corners on Materials

Cheap wiring can end up being very costly in a literal sense. In "Renovation Movement," the choice is made in favor of quality materials: "We use three-core non-flammable GOST wires. "

Additional protection in the form of conduit is also not a whim but a necessity: "Conduit prevents burning. "

Load Calculation: Protection Against Overloads and Fires

Although the topic of electrical load calculation is not detailed in the episodes shown, it's indirectly mentioned where the electrical panel will be placed: "For electricity, we'll likely install an electrical panel here. "

Modern apartments are full of appliances, and incorrect load calculation can lead to frequent circuit breaker trips or, worse, overheating of wiring and fires.

How to Avoid Conflicts with Neighbors Due to Electrical Work

Renovating electrical systems is always a risk of conflicts with neighbors, especially if something goes wrong. In the "Renovation Movement" show, we saw how flooding from neighbors above immediately raised suspicions about the renovation crew: "The whole house went dark because of us, they thought it was because we were cutting pipes. "

This situation could easily have happened with electrical work if a short circuit occurred. Therefore, a professional approach is not only about safety but also about good neighborly relations.

When to Do Electrical Work During Renovation

In "Renovation Movement," we see that work proceeds in parallel: "Today, we're dealing with floor issues here because the work is done in parallel – electrical work and partial leveling of the floor. "

The best time to run electrical wiring is after removing old finishes and before starting the finishing work. This allows:

• To see all problem areas;

• To correctly plan the placement of outlets and switches;

• To avoid damaging new finishes during wiring installation.

Professionals vs DIY: Who Should Handle the Electrical Work

Ksenia Shahmatova works with a professional team in the show, and it's not by accident. Electrical work is one part of renovation that should be left to professionals with the necessary knowledge and experience.

"It's not that I'm a designer; I'm the one who tells everyone what to do every time," Ksenia admits, highlighting the importance of delegating technically complex tasks to specialists.

Electrical work in renovation is the foundation of comfort and safety in your home. No matter how appealing the design solutions and finishing materials are, without a properly designed and correctly installed electrical system, they can become mere decorations in a potentially dangerous living space. Remember: pretty wallpaper can be replaced, but the consequences of poor-quality electrical work can be irreversible.