Before kitchen electrical rough-in, confirm the appliance schedule, cabinetry drawings, lighting selections and how you will use the room. These decisions affect circuit requirements, connection locations and access. A coordinated package helps the electrician, designer and millwork contractor work from the same information.
For Toronto and GTA renovations, Electric FX recommends reviewing the details before cabinet fabrication and before walls are closed. The final installation must meet the applicable Ontario Electrical Safety Code requirements; a checklist supports that design rather than replacing it.
Confirm appliance models and installation instructions
Provide model numbers and manufacturer instructions for the cooktop, wall oven or range, refrigerator, dishwasher, hood fan, microwave and other built-in equipment. Include specialty appliances such as warming drawers, beverage fridges or coffee machines.
Do not use cabinet dimensions as a substitute for electrical specifications. Equipment can differ in supply requirements and connection location. Tell us when an appliance changes so the electrical plan can be checked before installation.
Clarify who supplies and installs each appliance. Electrical connection, physical installation, gas work, plumbing and ducting are different tasks and should be assigned in the project scope.
Review cabinetry and access together
Use the current millwork drawings to coordinate equipment connections, receptacles, LED drivers and other electrical components. Drawings should show appliance openings, drawers, pullouts and panels that could affect access.
An item positioned behind a drawer or an inaccessible fixed panel can be difficult to service. Confirm access provisions with the millwork contractor before fabrication. Changes made on site should be reflected in the information shared with the electrical team.
Plan countertop, island and specialty power
Describe where you prepare food and use portable appliances. Show the final island shape, seating, sinks and work surfaces. The electrician then designs receptacle locations and circuits around both use and applicable requirements.
Pop-up outlets, docking drawers and appliance garages need early product review. Their mounting, equipment approval, clearances and any interlock arrangements are specific to the selected product and installation. Share the specifications before the cabinetmaker cuts openings.
Build the lighting plan around the finished room
Place pendants in relation to the island or dining table, not an unfinished room centreline. Coordinate fixture dimensions and suspension heights with cabinets, sightlines and the final furniture layout.
For recessed lighting, consider the tasks and surfaces being lit. Under-cabinet and millwork lighting need decisions about the channel, diffuser, colour appearance, driver and service access. Samples can help establish the desired effect before committing to the full installation.
Select fixtures and drivers with the controls. A dimmable product still needs a suitable dimming method and compatible control equipment.
Make controls convenient
Decide which lights operate separately and which belong in shared scenes. Consider room entrances, adjacent living spaces and whether a control near the exit should turn off selected kitchen lighting.
Smart lighting can be planned around everyday functions such as Preparation, Dining and Evening. Keep the controls easy for guests to use and establish the requested programming in the quote.
Check capacity and future equipment
The appliance schedule helps us assess the circuits and service capacity needed for the renovation. Include other work happening at the same time, such as EV charging, electric heating or an addition.
If new wiring needs to reach the main panel, establish routes and access early. Concealed ceilings and finished areas between the kitchen and panel can affect the rough-in scope even when the kitchen itself is fully open.
Use this checklist before the rough-in meeting
- Current architectural and millwork drawings with revision dates.
- Appliance models, electrical specifications and installation instructions.
- Fixture schedule, pendant locations and LED strip details.
- Outlet and specialty-device preferences for design review.
- Control locations, switching groups and smart-system requirements.
- Panel access, proposed wiring routes and future electrical loads.
- Assigned responsibilities for appliance installation and non-electrical work.
- Construction milestones and required inspection or review stages.
Resolve outstanding selections before affected work proceeds. ESA’s rough-in guidance addresses wiring before it is concealed; the contractor coordinates the applicable stages for the project. Allow time for approved changes and readiness checks before drywall and cabinetry installation.
Electric FX provides residential renovation electrical work and Lutron controls. Send us your kitchen drawings and appliance schedule for planning and a written quote.
Further reading: ESA notification and inspection stages; ESA renovation planning advice; Lutron dimmer selection and compatibility resources.