How do I plan lighting for a NB shed or detached garage?

Planning lighting for a detached shed or garage in New Brunswick starts with one key decision: do you want a temporary setup or a permanent electrical installation? That choice determines everything from your budget to your permit requirements under TSANB.

Permanent vs. Temporary Power

A permanent subpanel feed from your home to the detached structure is the right choice for most garages and larger sheds. This involves running a dedicated circuit (or multiple circuits) underground from your main panel to a small subpanel in the outbuilding. In New Brunswick, underground runs must account for frost depth — burial depth for electrical conduit typically needs to reach 600mm to 900mm minimum, depending on conduit type and protection, to get below the frost line. Your electrician will know the local requirements and soil conditions for your area.

For a small shed where you just need one or two lights and maybe an outlet, a single 15A or 20A circuit may be all you need. A detached garage with power tools, EV charging, or a workshop setup will need a proper subpanel — typically 60A to 100A — to handle the load safely.

Lighting Layout for Sheds and Garages

Think through how you'll actually use the space. General overhead lighting using LED shop lights (4-foot or 8-foot fixtures) is the most practical choice for garages — they're bright, energy-efficient, and handle New Brunswick's cold temperatures better than fluorescent tubes. For a standard two-car garage, plan for at least 3,000–4,000 lumens of total output to eliminate dark corners.

Add switched circuits so you can control different zones independently — overhead lights on one switch, workbench lighting on another. Exterior lighting on the garage is worth planning at the same time: a motion-sensor light over the door is both practical and a security asset. If your garage faces a coastal area (Saint John, Shediac, Moncton area), specify marine-grade or weatherproof fixtures for any exterior lighting — salt air accelerates corrosion on standard fixtures noticeably faster than inland locations.

TSANB Permits and What to Expect

Any new electrical circuit to a detached structure requires a TSANB permit — this isn't optional. Your licensed electrician will pull the permit before work begins, complete the installation, and a TSANB inspector will verify the work before issuing a Certificate of Compliance. This matters for your home insurance: unpermitted electrical work in an outbuilding can void your coverage in the event of a fire.

For typical costs in the New Brunswick market, a subpanel installation runs $800–$1,500, and the underground feed from your home adds cost depending on distance and trenching required. Basic lighting circuits inside the structure are usually bundled into the overall quote. Get a few estimates — costs vary between Fredericton, Moncton, Saint John, and rural areas.

Planning Tips Before You Call an Electrician

Before reaching out, sketch out your garage layout and note: the distance from your main panel to the outbuilding, how many lights and outlets you want, whether you'll need 240V circuits (for a welder, EV charger, or compressor), and where your main panel is located. The more information you bring, the more accurate your estimate will be.

New Brunswick Electrical can match you with a licensed local electrician for a free estimate on your shed or garage project — no obligation, and it's a free service for NB homeowners.