5 Practical Ways to Save Money on Your Electrician Bill During Renovation

Electrician hours are some of the most expensive parts of a renovation- but with a bit of smart preparation, you can save thousands on your electrical bill.

As an architect who’s renovated my own home, I’ve learned this the practical way. Here are five specific things I did that dramatically reduced the number of electrician hours I had to pay for.

1. Prep the blocking for all outlets- and mark the center height

This is probably the simplest, yet most effective, thing you can do.I measured and pre-installed blocking (wood backing) for every outlet I was going to have- with the exact center height marked, and even noted which side of the stud the outlet would go on.

That meant the electrician didn’t need to spend time measuring or figuring out where things should be.

I didn’t just plan the outlets required by code- I also thought ahead about the little details I already knew I’d want:

• An outlet for the coffee maker on the kitchen counter

• A hidden outlet behind the TV so I don’t have visible cords

• An extra outlet for a specific lamp I’d already picked out for the living room

💡 Why this works:The electrician can go straight to the electrical work instead of wasting expensive time measuring and discussing placement. Everything’s already decided and marked- they just have to install it.

In this photo you can see my tape markings with notes for both lamps and outlets.

2. Prep and mark the center for planned lights and lamps

This was probably the most important step of all. I measured the exact height and center points for every lamp and light fixture. This kind of precise measuring eats up a lot of an electrician’s time- and you’re paying for every minute of it.

I also installed solid blocking in the ceiling and walls, so I can attach any type of lamp in the future, not just the one I’m planning right now. That way, I don’t have to worry later if a lamp is too heavy or needs a different mounting point.

💡 Pro tip: Spend a little time thinking about the future.If you know you might want a pendant, recessed spotlights, or a wall lamp later- prepare for it now. It costs you almost nothing extra, but can save you a lot down the road.

Here I even added blocking behind the TV - it’s not pretty, but it works perfectly.

3. Clearly mark all areas where something will happen

I used bright tape to mark every spot where something was going to happen (I’d actually recommend spray paint if you want it even clearer- learn from my mistake).

When the electrician walked in, there was no doubt: “Something goes here.” Whether it was a lamp, a switch, or an outlet, everything was visible and obvious.

It might sound silly, but I promise- it makes a huge difference. It reduces the risk of misunderstandings, and nothing gets forgotten.

💡 Pro tip: Use a color that really stands out. It should be impossible to miss!

Here you can see I’ve added blocking for a wall lamp- that white circle marks the center. Marius hard at work

4. Pre-run conduit and circuits for future plans

This one’s a bit more advanced, but incredibly smart if you’re already in renovation mode.Even if you’re not quite there yet in your project- plan ahead.

I prepped conduit and circuits for the bathroom and all the bedrooms, even though I was only working on the kitchen and living room at the time. When I eventually move on to those rooms, everything is already ready to go. No need to tear open walls later.

💡 Why this is smart:It’s always cheaper to do everything in one go than to come back later and open up finished walls. A little foresight now saves you both time and money later.

I also prepped an outlet for my coffee maker while I was at it- because priorities, right?

5. Be prepared and clear

Lastly- don’t underestimate the value of being prepared and clear.

When the electrician walks in and sees that you’ve planned, measured, blocked, and marked everything, they immediately know you’re organized. The job goes faster, there’s less room for mistakes, and you get exactly the result you had in mind.

If you’re unsure how to plan for future lighting, check out my post: Slik lager du en belysningsplan- belysning hjemme er mer enn bare spotter i taket

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✅ Checklist: Before the electrician arrives

☐ Blocking installed and center height marked for all outlets

☐ Blocking installed and center measured for all lamps

☐ All areas clearly marked with spray paint or tape

☐ Conduit prepared for future circuits and rooms

☐ Detailed sketch with measurements ready in case of questions

☐ Workspace cleared and easy to access

We actually spent the last evening before the electrician arrived running around marking everything- but it was so worth it!

You don’t need to be a professional to plan smart.

By blocking, measuring, marking, and thinking ahead, you can save yourself both time and thousands of kroner- and make your electrician’s job much easier. Win-win!