Remodel & Addition Electrician in Sacramento

What electrical work does a kitchen remodel need?

The 2025 California Electrical Code took effect January 1, 2026, and is based on the 2023 National Electrical Code. For a kitchen, the parts that shape your plan are:

Switching from a gas to an induction or electric range is the change most likely to need a new 240V circuit, and sometimes more panel capacity.

Bathroom remodel electrical requirements

• A 20-amp circuit for the bathroom outlets. One circuit can serve the outlets in several bathrooms, or everything in a single bathroom, but it can't run on to other rooms.
• An outlet within 3 feet of each sink, with GFCI protection.
• Exhaust fan, lighting and any heated floor or towel warmer wired to suit the new layout and the equipment's instructions.

Older Sacramento homes often have bathroom outlets tied in with a bedroom or hallway. A remodel is the right time to separate them.

How do you power an ADU in Sacramento?

There are two basic ways to bring power to an accessory dwelling unit. Which one fits depends on your panel, the ADU's size and location, your utility and whether you want separate billing.

Subpanel vs. separate meter for an ADU

	Subpanel from the main house	Separate meter / new service
How it works	A feeder runs from your existing panel to a subpanel in the ADU.	The utility sets a meter for the ADU, often in a duplex (two-meter) panel.
Billing	One bill for the whole property.	The ADU has its own electric account.
Utility involvement	Often none, unless the main service needs to grow.	Application to SMUD or PG&E, design and scheduling.
Watch out for	A load calculation may show the house needs a service upgrade first.	Longer lead time; plan months ahead.

SMUD's ADU guidance says a duplex meter installation is usually required for most ADU situations. It puts the typical timeline from application to occupancy at four to six months and suggests planning at least six months ahead. SMUD offers a free consultation, and the City of Sacramento advises talking to SMUD early, since service location can affect how the ADU is laid out. In PG&E territory, new service, panel upgrades and ADUs with added meters go through PG&E's online Your Projects portal.

If a subpanel is the right fit, or the main house needs a bigger service to support the ADU, here's what panel work typically runs:

Approximate Sacramento-area ranges for panel work (permit included)

Job	Approximate range
Panel replacement, same amperage (e.g. Zinsco or FPE swap)	$2,000 – $3,500
Service upgrade 100A → 200A, overhead service	$3,000 – $5,500
Subpanel install (garage, ADU, shop)	$1,200 – $3,000

These are approximate ranges, not quotes. They're based on typical Sacramento-area jobs. Your price depends on what we find at your home: panel condition, distance, access and permit fees. Underground services, panel relocations and utility-required upgrades can cost significantly more. You'll get a clear price before any work starts.

More on sizing and utility coordination on our panel upgrade page.

What California ADU law says about utilities

State law limits what local agencies can charge. Under Government Code section 66324, an ADU built within existing space, or a junior ADU, is not treated as a new residential use when calculating utility connection fees or capacity charges, unless it's built at the same time as a new single-family home. ADUs under 750 square feet are exempt from impact fees. The City of Sacramento also requires an electrical layout plan in the ADU permit set.

Signs your remodel needs an electrical upgrade

• You're adding an induction range, heat pump, EV charger or ADU on top of the remodel.
• The panel is full, or breakers are already doubled up.
• Kitchen breakers trip when two countertop appliances run at once.
• Bathroom outlets share a circuit with other rooms.
• The house still has two-prong outlets, knob-and-tube or cloth-covered wiring in the walls you're opening.

Do I need a permit? Rough-in and final inspection

Yes. Remodels, additions and ADUs that add or change circuits need an electrical permit. In the City of Sacramento, the electrical rough-in is inspected together with framing, plumbing and mechanical, after everything is installed and before insulation goes in. The project then gets a combined final inspection. Sacramento County and cities like Elk Grove, Folsom and Roseville run their own permit offices with similar steps.

1. Walkthrough and plan. We review your design, count circuits, and run a load calculation on the panel.
2. Free estimate. A clear price for the electrical scope, including permit and any utility work.
3. Permit and utility. We pull the permit and, for ADUs or service upgrades, start the SMUD or PG&E application.
4. Rough-in. Boxes, wire and circuits go in with the walls open, timed with your contractor's framing and plumbing.
5. Rough inspection. We meet the inspector before insulation and drywall.
6. Trim-out. Outlets, switches, fixtures and breakers go in after finishes.
7. Final inspection. We test every circuit, meet the inspector and label the panel.

See how we work for more on scheduling and communication.

Working with your general contractor

Many remodels in Sacramento, Rancho Cordova, Citrus Heights and Davis are run by a general contractor. We work as the electrical sub on those jobs: pricing from the plans, fitting rough-in into the GC's schedule, and flagging problems like an undersized panel before the walls close. If you're managing the project yourself, we'll work directly with you. For smaller jobs without a remodel, see our residential electrician page.

Remodel electrician FAQ