Kitchen
Refit
Verwood
A full kitchen refurbishment in a three-bedroom detached bungalow in Verwood — cooker feed, dedicated socket circuit, ceiling lighting, under-cabinet LEDs, kickboard strip lights, and a soffit extraction system. All independently switched, all done in 4.5 days.
New Kitchen, New Electrics
The client was having their kitchen fully refurbished — new units, new worktops, new appliances. A kitchen refurb of this scope always means the electrical installation needs to keep up. Old socket positions no longer work with new unit layouts. The existing lighting doesn't show the new kitchen in its best light. And a dual cooker running off a circuit not rated for it is a liability waiting to happen.
This job required a clean, coordinated electrical installation designed around the new kitchen from scratch: a dedicated 45A cooker feed for a dual cooker, a new socket circuit with positions matched to the new layout, and a layered lighting scheme — ceiling lights, under-cabinet task lighting, and LED kickboard strips — all independently switched so the client has full control of the atmosphere.
The extraction system was routed through the soffit rather than a standard wall position — cleaner finish, no visible external grille on the main elevation.
The clients had two dogs very keen on exploring the neighbourhood. Keeping the gate closed at all times became part of the daily routine — every tool run to the van, every delivery, the gate got checked. No escapes. Job completed without incident.
Ceiling lights, under-cabinet strips, and kickboards on separate switches means the client can use the kitchen at full brightness for cooking, or just kickboards and under-cabinets for atmosphere in the evening. One switch controlling everything flattens the options — three switches opens the room up.
Every Circuit, Considered
A kitchen refit is one of the most demanding electrical jobs in a domestic property. Multiple dedicated circuits, appliance connections, and a lighting scheme with independent switching — all needs to be coordinated with the kitchen fitters and landed in the right place at the right time.
45A Cooker Feed — Dual Cooker
A dedicated 45A circuit installed for the dual cooker — the correct rating for a range-style appliance pulling both oven and hob load simultaneously. Running a cooker of this type off a shared or undersized circuit is a common error in older kitchens. New cable run from the consumer unit, dedicated cooker switch positioned to the side of the appliance.
Dedicated Kitchen Socket Circuit
A new socket circuit installed with socket positions planned around the new unit layout. Kitchens need a dedicated circuit separate from the rest of the property — appliances like microwaves, kettles, and toasters drawing load simultaneously on a shared ring causes nuisance tripping. Socket positions agreed with the client and the kitchen fitter before first fix.
Ceiling Lighting — 2-Way Switching
New ceiling light positions installed with two-way switching at each entrance to the room. Entering the kitchen from either direction, the lights are controlled from that doorway — no walking through a dark room to reach the switch. Positions agreed with the client before first fix cables were run.
Under-Cabinet LED Lighting
LED strip lighting installed beneath the wall units to illuminate the worksurface below — task lighting for food preparation that the ceiling lights alone don't provide. Independently switched from its own dedicated switch, separate from the main ceiling circuit.
Kickboard LED Strip Lighting
LED strips fitted within the plinth at floor level — ambient lighting that gives the kitchen a finished, considered feel after dark. Independently switched from its own switch, so the client can use the kickboards alone, or combine them with the ceiling lights and under-cabinet strips depending on the mood.
Extractor Fan — Soffit Route
Extractor fan installed with the extraction duct routed through the soffit rather than through the external wall. Cleaner internal finish, no visible grille on the main elevation. The duct route required careful planning at first fix to avoid conflicts with ceiling joists and insulation.
EIC Issued on Completion
Electrical Installation Certificate issued at the end of second fix. Kitchen installations involving new circuits are notifiable where applicable — the certificate is the client's documentation that the work was carried out to the correct standard.
Three Layers, Full Control
Each layer of the lighting scheme serves a different purpose and is independently controlled. The client can mix and match — full brightness for cooking, task lighting only for evening prep, ambient kickboards for atmosphere.
Ceiling Lights
Primary task and ambient lighting for the room. Two-way switched from both entrances — whichever door you enter from, the switch is right there. No walking to the other side of the room.
Under-Cabinet LED
Illuminates the worksurface directly where food preparation happens. Independent switch — on during cooking, off when not needed. The ceiling lights alone cast shadows under the wall units; the under-cabinet strips fix that.
Kickboard LED Strip
Floor-level ambient lighting fitted within the unit plinth. Independent switch — often used in the evenings without the ceiling lights on. Gives the kitchen a finished quality that most domestic installations miss entirely.
Soffit Extraction
Extractor fan ducted through the soffit rather than the external wall. Cleaner finish — no visible grille on the main elevation. The duct route was planned at first fix to avoid structural and insulation conflicts.
The Finished Installation
Completed kitchen rewire — range cooker circuit, island plinth lighting, LED strip installation, and the finished kitchen with all circuits commissioned.
The three-layer lighting scheme is what makes a kitchen feel like it was designed rather than just wired. Ceiling lights for cooking, under-cabinets for the worksurface, kickboards for the evening — each on its own switch. Clients who have it never want to go back to a single switch.
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