Improving the value and utility of your property can be done in many ways, but one of the most popular is through developing the land on which the property sits. If you have space in your yard, adding things like detached garages, pools, and even sheds can substantially increase the value of the property. And if you have one of these already but are looking to improve it, one of the best ways to do so is by extending your electrical system to better support it.
For example, adding electrical power to a shed can dramatically increase its usefulness. Not only can you install conveniences like lighting, but you will also be able to install outlets to power tools nearby and heating for cold winter months. Both of these can allow the shed to serve a far greater range of purposes, increasing its value.
Getting Started
When you are preparing to get electrical power to an outbuilding, calling an electrician is the best place to start. They will be able to examine your current power distribution and find the best place to install the new circuits. Based on the intended use and the required power, an experienced electrician will be able to give recommendations about what materials and specifications should be implemented. Additionally, they may be able to discover work which has already been done to allow for the improvements. Make sure that you clearly communicate the desired function to the electrician. It can be smart to install enough wiring that you can upgrade the circuit at a later date if desired. For example, detached garages are often turned into livable spaces, and having the necessary amount of electricity to take care of things like heating and cooling, entertainment, and cooking is simply a necessity.
Once you have consulted with a trusted electrician, you can then proceed to make a plan. Often, taking electricity to an outbuilding or pool will require burying electrical cable in some type of conduit. Requirements for this will vary, but are often specific, and will lay out things like the required depth of any buried wiring. Based on your plan, you may want to explore your options for perhaps the most labor-intensive part of the process. Getting a trench dug to proper length and depth will allow the skilled workers to come in later and install your electrical extension quickly and efficiently. If you have the time and energy, consider getting this work done yourself if you are on a budget. However, if the soil in your area is particularly bad or there is a great deal of work to be done, you might want to hire some laborers to do the work for you.
Do Your Homework Before Beginning
If you are planning on doing any trenching, make sure that you do your homework first. Knowing where underground utilities are will save you a headache and potentially a fine if you damage utilities running through your property. You may have to call the local utility service, or ask a professional to determine where it will be safe to dig.
Before the work is completed, make sure that you have a complete understanding of all permitting which will need to be done. Unpermitted work is a major cause of troubles down the road and can also lead to unsafe conditions. Not only is unpermitted work more likely to be done more shoddily, but not having a record of electrical work done can create hazardous conditions for people on the property in the future. Your electrician should be able to provide to you a list of steps which will need to be taken to get this done and can often take care of most of the work for you.
Finishing Your Project
Once the power supply reaches your outbuilding, have a plan for wiring the building. Often, this work can be completed quickly and right away. Installing things like outlets, lighting, and other electrical elements can be done while the conduit is being prepared, and inspections can all be completed together. While the electrician prepares the outbuilding to use the power, you can ensure that the trenching is completed. This will allow the work to be done quickly and safely, but economically.
Once everything is completed, you can sit back and enjoy your new improvements. One of the best things about investing in a property is that they are investments that you do not have to wait for to benefit from. While they will increase the value of your property in the long run, you also can begin to use them immediately. This immediate functional payoff with a long term financial return is the main reason why property improvements are so attractive to homeowners nowadays.
