How much does it cost to wire a new garage or workshop in New Brunswick?

Wiring Costs for a New Garage or Workshop in New Brunswick

Whether you're building a detached garage, converting an existing one into a workshop, or adding a heated workspace, the electrical costs depend heavily on the distance from your main panel, the tools and equipment you plan to run, and whether the building needs its own sub-panel.

Basic Garage Electrical Package

A standard detached garage with basic electrical typically includes:

• Sub-panel (60A or 100A) fed from the house main panel
• 2–4 general-purpose 120V circuits for lights and outlets
• 1 dedicated 240V circuit for a welder, air compressor, or table saw
• Exterior light with motion sensor
• GFCI protection on all garage receptacles (CEC requirement)

| Component | Cost Range | |-----------|------------| | 60A sub-panel (installed) | $800–$1,500 | | 100A sub-panel (installed) | $1,200–$2,000 | | Underground feed from house (per metre) | $25–$50 | | Typical 15m underground run | $375–$750 | | Interior circuits (each) | $250–$450 | | 240V dedicated circuit | $400–$700 | | Overhead LED shop lights (4, installed) | $400–$800 | | Exterior motion light | $150–$300 | | TSANB permit + inspections | $75–$150 |

Total basic garage package: $2,500–$5,500

Workshop-Grade Electrical

A serious woodworking or metalworking shop needs more capacity:

• 100A or 200A sub-panel with room for expansion
• Multiple 20A circuits at each workstation
• 2–3 dedicated 240V circuits for table saw, dust collector, welder, air compressor
• High-output LED lighting (shop lights plus task lighting at workbenches)
• Exhaust fan circuit for dust collection or welding ventilation
• Heating circuit — electric heater or heat pump for year-round use in NB's climate

Total workshop package: $5,000–$12,000+

Underground Feed Requirements

The wire run from your house panel to the garage is often the most expensive single item. In New Brunswick:

• Cable type: NMWU (rated for direct burial) or TECK cable in conduit
• Burial depth: Minimum 24 inches (600mm) for NMWU without conduit, 18 inches in rigid conduit. Below the frost line (4–5 feet) is ideal to avoid frost heave damage on conduit.
• Wire gauge: Depends on amperage and distance. A 60A feed at 20 metres needs 6 AWG copper or 4 AWG aluminum. A 100A feed at 30 metres may need 1 AWG aluminum to account for voltage drop.
• Trenching: Hand-dug trenches cost nothing but your time. Machine trenching runs $5–$15 per linear metre if you hire it out.

NB-Specific Considerations

Frost depth: NB's frost line ranges from 4 feet in southern areas (Saint John, Sussex) to 5+ feet in northern NB (Bathurst, Edmundston). Underground conduit that doesn't go deep enough can heave and crack, damaging the wire inside.

Overhead feed alternative: If trenching is impractical (rock, landscaping, short distance), an overhead feed from house to garage is an option. The CEC requires minimum clearances: 3.5m over walkways, 4m over driveways, 5.5m over areas accessible to vehicles. Your electrician can advise which approach costs less for your layout.

Heating: An unheated NB garage drops to -20°C or colder in winter. If you plan to heat the space, factor in the electrical load: a 240V garage heater draws 20–40 amps, and a mini-split heat pump needs a dedicated 20–30 amp circuit. This may push you from a 60A sub-panel to 100A.

Insurance: Notify your home insurance company when adding a wired outbuilding. Coverage for tools and equipment in a detached garage often requires a rider. The permitted and inspected electrical work (with closed TSANB permit) supports your insurance claim if anything goes wrong.

Permit and Inspection

All garage and workshop wiring requires a TSANB electrical permit. Expect two inspections:

Underground/rough-in inspection — before backfilling the trench and before closing walls

Final inspection — after all circuits, outlets, lights, and the sub-panel are complete

Your electrician coordinates both inspections. Budget 5–10 business days for each inspection appointment.

Getting Quotes

Get 2–3 quotes from TSANB-licensed electricians in your area. Provide them with:

• Garage dimensions and layout


• Distance from house panel to garage


• List of equipment you plan to run (with amperage or wattage)


• Whether you want heating and what type


• Any future plans (EV charger in garage, welding equipment, dust collection)

Building in future capacity now is far cheaper than running additional circuits later. If there's any chance you'll add a 240V EV charger, welder, or heater in the future, size the sub-panel and feed wire accordingly from day one.

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