If your suite isn’t wired to Canadian Electrical Code standards, you’re gambling with your family’s safety — and your financial future.
- Electrical load calculations
- Dedicated appliance circuits
- Arc-fault protection
- Interconnected smoke/CO alarms
- GFCIs in specific areas
- Permit-pulled work by a licensed master electrician
Online forums are full of confused homeowners and bad advice. Get it wrong, and you’ll be paying for re-inspections, red tags, and possibly a full tear-out. Let’s take the guesswork out of it.
- Dedicated kitchen circuits (two 20A minimum for countertops)
- Separate heating controls (required for independent HVAC zones)
- Independent lighting zones (no shared breakers)
- GFCI protection near any sink, bathroom, or laundry
- AFCI breakers in all required living areas
- Hard-wired, interconnected smoke & CO detectors with battery backup
- Load calculation and panel review to determine if a service or sub-panel upgrade is needed
- Egress lighting and proper switch/outlet placement
- Wiring routed and supported as per CEC Section 12
We tailor everything to Alberta code — no shortcuts, no corner-cutting.
| Requirement | Code Reference | Description |
|---|---|---|
| GFCI Protection | CEC Rule 26-704 | Required within 1.5m of sinks, bathtubs, laundry, or in unfinished basements. |
| AFCI Protection | CEC Rule 26-724 | Mandatory for outlets in bedrooms, living rooms, closets, and hallways. |
| Dedicated Kitchen Circuits | CEC Rules 26-722 & 26-724 | Two 20A minimum for countertops; separate circuits required for stove, fridge, microwave. |
| Smoke/CO Detectors | CAN/ULC-S531, S553 / CAN/CSA-6.19 | Must be hard-wired, interconnected, and installed inside/outside bedrooms and near gas appliances. |
| Load Calculations | CEC Rule 8-200 | Required to determine if 100A or 200A service is sufficient for the suite and main dwelling. |
| Junction Boxes | CEC Rule 12-300 | All wire splices must be enclosed in approved boxes with covers — no exposed connections. |
| Panel Location | CEC Rule 26-402 | Panels must be accessible; not allowed in closets, stairwells, or bathrooms. |
These are the minimums. We build suites to pass first inspection — not second or third.
Bonus? We handle the coordination so you’re not chasing inspectors or permits. Need more than just wiring? Our Secondary Suite Electrician Services cover everything required to make your suite legal — permits, panels, inspections, smoke alarms, and more.
| Service Item | Typical Range (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Full suite wiring (avg. 1 bed) | $5,500 – $8,500 |
| Sub-panel (optional) | $900 – $1,400 |
| Load calculation & permit filing | Included in quote |
| Panel upgrade (if needed) | See Panel Upgrades Page |
| Smoke/CO wiring package | $500 – $750 |
What affects price?
- Square footage: Larger suites require more wiring, outlets, and lighting zones, which increases labour and material costs.
- Number of bedrooms: Each bedroom needs dedicated circuits, AFCI protection, and interconnected smoke alarms per code.
- Whether your furnace/laundry needs split circuits: If laundry or HVAC is shared, we may need to split circuits and reroute power to meet separation rules.
- Scope of kitchen appliances: Suites with full kitchens need more circuits for stoves, microwaves, fridges, and countertop outlets.
- Panel size: A 100A panel may not have capacity for the added load, requiring a sub-panel or full upgrade to 200A.
- Service load calculation: This determines if your existing electrical service can legally support the suite’s demands.
- HVAC requirements: Separate heating controls or dedicated furnaces often require new circuits and additional wiring to meet code.
- Fire safety requirements: Hardwired, interconnected smoke/CO alarms and fire-rated junctions increase wiring complexity and inspection criteria.
All our quotes are project based, permit-inclusive, and explained in plain language.
Offset Your Wiring Costs with Up to $80,000 in CMHC Support
Did you know you may be eligible for up to $80,000 in federal funding to help pay for your legal basement suite — including electrical work?
✅ 2025 Grant & Financing Programs:
| Program | Status | Who Can Apply | Max Amount | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CMHC Secondary Suite Grant | Active | Homeowners | Up to $80,000 | Electrical, permits, construction |
| CMHC Low-Interest Loan | Active | Homeowners | Up to $80,000 | 2% interest, 15-year term |
| CMHC Refinance Program | Active | Homeowners | Up to 90% of post-reno value | Large-scale renovations |
| Cornerstones Grant (Edmonton) | Inactive | Homeowners | Up to $20,000 | Legacy program, ended 2016 |
Tip: Some Alberta municipalities offer permit fee waivers or local incentives — ask us during your consultation. Read about the secondary suite loan program here.
💡 Many of our clients use the CMHC Secondary Suite Grant to fund their wiring, panel upgrades, and smoke alarm installations — all eligible expenses under the program.
