Kitchen remodels are stressful, expensive, and full of decisions. Electrical usually gets treated as an afterthought until the rough-in inspection — at which point making changes is 10x more expensive than it would have been two weeks earlier. Here's the eleven-point electrical checklist we hand to every remodel client before the cabinet demo begins.
1. Dedicated Small Appliance Circuits (Code Minimum: Two)
Current CEC requires at least two 20-amp small appliance circuits for kitchen countertop outlets. That's the minimum. In a modern kitchen with air fryers, pressure cookers, espresso machines, and toaster ovens all going simultaneously, three or four is smarter. We map your appliance usage and size accordingly.
2. Dedicated Circuit for the Dishwasher
Dishwashers need their own 20A dedicated circuit. Piggybacking off the disposal or countertop circuits is a code violation and a nuisance-trip waiting to happen.
3. Dedicated Circuit for the Disposal
Same story. Garbage disposals need their own 20A circuit.
4. Refrigerator: Dedicated 20A Circuit
A modern fridge draws peak load on startup that will nuisance-trip a shared breaker. Give the fridge its own circuit, with a standard outlet (not GFCI — GFCIs can trip from normal fridge inrush, and a tripped fridge for 12 hours = spoiled groceries).
5. Range / Oven
Electric range: dedicated 50A 240V circuit. Gas range with electric ignition and hood: dedicated 20A. Induction cooktop + wall oven: usually two separate circuits, often 50A each. Don't undersize — pulling new wire later is expensive.
6. Microwave
Dedicated 20A circuit. Especially true for high-wattage over-the-range microwaves that combine microwave + hood fan.
7. Under-Cabinet Lighting Circuit
Plan for under-cabinet lighting on its own switch (ideally a dimmer). This is the lighting you'll actually use most at night — don't make it a last-minute afterthought.
8. Pendant Lights Over Island
Pendant locations are studded out during rough-in. If you don't know where the island pendants go before the electrician leaves, you're either going to cut into fresh drywall or live with pendants that aren't centered. Work with your designer to lock in island pendant positions before rough-in.
9. Can Lights Done Right
Kitchens need more light than any other room. Plan for enough cans — typically 1 per 4–5 sq ft of prep area, plus task lighting over the sink and stove. See our recessed lighting guide for layout specifics.
10. USB and USB-C Outlets Near the Counter
Add at least one outlet with built-in USB-A and USB-C ports near the main countertop work area. You'll use it every single day.
11. Future-Proof for Induction
Even if you're keeping gas this remodel, have the electrician pull a 50A 240V circuit to the range location. Cap it off in a junction box behind the cabinet. When you switch to induction in 5 years, it's a 30-minute job instead of a $1,500 rewire. Small upfront cost, huge future savings.
Bonus: Panel Capacity Check
All these new circuits add load. If your panel is already 70%+ loaded, you're one induction range away from needing a panel upgrade. Run a load calc before committing to a remodel spec.
Bonus: Smart Switches Before Drywall
If you're putting smart switches in (Lutron Caseta, Leviton, Kasa), know that most require a neutral wire at each switch box. Some older kitchens don't have neutrals at switches. If that's you, have the electrician run neutrals during rough-in — trivial now, impossible later.
Coordination With Your GC
The best kitchen electrical happens when the GC, cabinet installer, and electrician are all in one meeting before demo. We do that walkthrough free of charge for remodel clients. Saves every stakeholder time.
Who We Work With
We remodel kitchens with clients across Encino, Sherman Oaks, Calabasas, and the rest of the LA/Valley area. Owner is on every job, handles the coordination with your GC personally, and makes sure inspection goes clean.
Starting a kitchen remodel? Call 818-852-4910 for a pre-demo electrical walkthrough.
Need help with this?
Call the owner directly for a free consultation. No dispatchers, no runaround.
Call 818-852-4910