Home renovations are exciting—and sometimes overwhelming. Whether you’re remodeling your kitchen in Sunnyvale, finishing a basement in Los Gatos, or doing a full home upgrade in San Jose, one critical area that homeowners often overlook is electrical work.
Electrical systems are the backbone of your home’s functionality and safety. Renovating is the perfect time to evaluate and upgrade your electrical infrastructure to meet modern needs. At Baywire Electric, we’ve helped hundreds of Bay Area homeowners make smart, safe, and future-ready electrical improvements during renovation projects.
To help you get started, here’s your go-to Home Renovation Electrical Checklist—packed with smart updates to consider before closing up walls and ceilings.
1. Electrical Panel Upgrade
Older homes in places like Palo Alto or Mountain View may still be running on outdated 100-amp panels or even fuse boxes. A renovation is a perfect opportunity to upgrade to a modern 200-amp panel or higher, especially if you’re adding new appliances, a home office, or EV chargers.
Why it matters:
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Supports additional electrical load
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Reduces risk of overload or fire
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Prepares your home for future technology
Baywire Tip: Always check with your city’s building code or consult an expert—especially in areas with strict permitting like Santa Clara.
2. Add More Outlets (Especially USB-C and GFCI)
Modern households are tech-heavy, and you can never have too many outlets—especially in kitchens, bedrooms, and workspaces. Consider adding:
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Tamper-resistant outlets for safety
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USB and USB-C outlets for convenience
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GFCI outlets in bathrooms, kitchens, and garages for safety
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Dedicated outlets for appliances like microwaves, fridges, or tankless water heaters
Why it matters:
No one wants to rely on power strips or daisy-chained extension cords. Future-proof your rooms now.
3. Upgrade Interior Lighting
Lighting has a huge impact on your home’s ambiance, function, and efficiency. Renovations are the best time to ditch outdated fixtures and install:
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LED recessed lighting
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Pendant or under-cabinet lighting in kitchens
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Smart lighting systems you can control from your phone
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Dimmers for adjustable mood lighting
Baywire Tip: Talk to our electricians about energy-efficient lighting options that can reduce long-term energy bills while enhancing your space.
4. Install or Update Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans not only keep rooms cooler in summer but also help circulate warm air in winter. During renovations, make sure your wiring and junction boxes can support a ceiling fan safely.
This is particularly valuable in older homes throughout San Jose and Sunnyvale, where ceiling fan support boxes may be missing or outdated.
5. Plan for Smart Home Wiring
Even if you’re not setting up a full smart home now, pre-wiring during a renovation is a smart move. Consider running wiring for:
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Smart switches and thermostats
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Security systems and cameras
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Audio systems and media hubs
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Structured data cabling for high-speed internet
Why it matters:
Technology evolves, and so should your home. Let Baywire Electric future-proof your wiring now so you won’t have to tear into walls later.
6. Update or Add Exterior Lighting
If your renovation includes a patio, deck, or yard work, don’t forget about outdoor electrical updates:
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Motion-sensor security lights
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Landscape and path lighting
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Weatherproof outlets for tools or holiday lighting
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Low-voltage lighting for energy efficiency
Homeowners in Mountain View and Los Gatos often love these upgrades for both curb appeal and safety.
7. Whole-House Surge Protection
Today’s homes are filled with sensitive electronics—from smart TVs to laptops to HVAC systems. Renovations are a great time to install a whole-house surge protector at your panel to defend against damaging power spikes.
8. Install EV Charger-Ready Circuits
With electric vehicles becoming more popular in the Bay Area, many homeowners in cities like Palo Alto and Santa Clara are opting to add EV charger wiring during their remodels.
Even if you don’t own an EV yet, adding a 240-volt line now ensures you’re ready for the future—and adds resale value to your home.
9. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector Upgrades
California law requires that homes have up-to-date, hardwired smoke and CO detectors. Renovation projects are the ideal time to:
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Upgrade to hardwired units with battery backups
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Interconnect detectors so they all sound at once
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Place detectors in bedrooms and hallways as required by code
Baywire Electric ensures your upgrades are compliant with both California law and your local city requirements.
10. Energy Efficiency Enhancements
From smart thermostats to energy-efficient appliances, renovation time is decision time. Consult Baywire Electric to help install or integrate energy-saving devices that will lower your monthly bills and reduce your environmental impact.
Why Work with Baywire Electric?
Serving homeowners across San Jose, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Santa Clara, Palo Alto, and Los Gatos, Baywire Electric is the go-to expert for safe, reliable, and code-compliant electrical upgrades.
We provide:
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Honest, upfront estimates
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Clean, efficient installation
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Licensed and insured electricians
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Deep knowledge of Bay Area codes and permitting
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Friendly, local service
Ready to Power Up Your Renovation?
If you’re planning a home renovation, don’t leave the electrical updates as an afterthought. Partner with Baywire Electric to make sure your home is safe, efficient, and ready for the future.
📞 Call us today at (408) 647-7044 or visit www.baywireelectric.com to schedule your consultation. We’ll help you build a smarter, safer home—one outlet, light, and wire at a time.