What electrical work do I need for a basement apartment or in-law suite in NB?

Electrical Requirements for Basement Apartments and In-Law Suites in New Brunswick

Converting a basement into a legal apartment or in-law suite is one of the most common renovation projects in New Brunswick, driven by housing demand in Moncton, Fredericton, and Saint John. The electrical requirements are substantial and must meet both the CEC and your municipality's bylaws.

Minimum Electrical Requirements (CEC + NB Building Code)

Separate sub-panel or panel:
A basement suite needs its own electrical distribution, typically through:

• A dedicated sub-panel (60A or 100A) fed from the main house panel


• Or, for fully separate units, an independent panel with its own meter (check with NB Power about separate metering requirements)

Cost for sub-panel installation: $1,200–$2,500

Dedicated circuits required:

| Circuit | Requirement |
|---------|---------|
| Kitchen countertop | 2 × 20A circuits (CEC minimum) |
| Kitchen dishwasher | 1 × 20A dedicated |
| Bathroom receptacles | 1 × 20A circuit |
| Laundry (if washer included) | 1 × 20A circuit |
| Dryer (if electric) | 1 × 30A, 240V dedicated |
| Stove/range (if electric) | 1 × 40/50A, 240V dedicated |
| Refrigerator | 1 × 15A dedicated (recommended) |
| Furnace/heating | Dedicated circuit sized to heating system |
| Smoke/CO detectors | On general lighting circuit (hardwired, interconnected) |
| General lighting | 1–2 × 15A circuits |
| General receptacles | 1–2 × 15A circuits |
| Bathroom exhaust fan | On bathroom circuit or separate |

Total: 10–15 circuits minimum for a basic one-bedroom basement suite.

GFCI protection:

• All kitchen receptacles within 1.5m of sink


• All bathroom receptacles


• Laundry receptacles


• Any receptacles in unfinished areas (utility room, storage)

AFCI protection:

• All 15A and 20A circuits serving bedrooms, living room, and dining area

Smoke and CO detectors:

• Hardwired, interconnected smoke detectors in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level


• CO detector on every level with a fuel-burning appliance or attached to a space with one (e.g., if the furnace room is on the same level)


• The suite's detectors should be interconnected with each other (all alarm together) but typically NOT interconnected with the upstairs unit's detectors

Lighting Requirements

• Every habitable room must have a light fixture controlled by a wall switch at the entrance
• Bathrooms need a light and an exhaust fan (required if no operable window)
• Kitchen needs adequate lighting over work surfaces
• Exterior entrance to the suite needs a light controlled from inside
• Stairways need lighting with 3-way switches at top and bottom
• Emergency/exit lighting may be required depending on municipal bylaws

Receptacle Requirements

The CEC specifies minimum receptacle spacing:

• No point along a wall should be more than 1.8m from a receptacle


• Kitchen countertop: receptacle within 900mm of each end, and no point more than 900mm from a receptacle


• Bathroom: at least one receptacle within 1m of the sink


• Any wall space 900mm or wider needs a receptacle

Heating Considerations

The suite's heating system directly impacts electrical requirements:

Electric baseboard heaters (most common in NB basement suites):

• Each heater on a dedicated circuit (or multiple heaters sharing a circuit within amperage limits)


• 240V heaters are more efficient than 120V


• Typical basement suite needs 4–8 baseboard heaters depending on size and insulation


• Each 1,500W baseboard draws 6.25A at 240V


• Total heating circuit requirement: 2–4 dedicated circuits

Mini-split heat pump (increasingly popular):

• One dedicated 240V circuit, typically 20A or 30A


• More energy-efficient than baseboard (saves tenants 40–60% on heating)


• Adds $3,500–$6,000 to the project but increases rental value

Permit and Inspection

All basement suite electrical work requires:

TSANB electrical permit — your electrician applies

Rough-in inspection — BEFORE drywall, insulation covering wires, or ceiling closure

Final inspection — after all devices, fixtures, and the sub-panel are complete

Municipal building permit — the apartment itself needs a building permit from your municipality (separate from the electrical permit). Many NB municipalities require suite registration.

Total Electrical Costs

| Scope | Cost Range |
|-------|------------|
| Basic suite (sub-panel + 10–12 circuits, baseboard heat) | $5,000–$10,000 |
| Mid-range suite (sub-panel + 12–15 circuits, heat pump, good lighting) | $8,000–$15,000 |
| High-end suite (separate meter, heat pump, full kitchen appliance circuits, abundant lighting) | $12,000–$20,000+ |
| Panel upgrade required (if main panel is 100A or less) | Add $2,500–$4,500 |

Common Mistakes

Not getting a building permit — municipalities fine for illegal suites and can require you to undo work

Undersizing the sub-panel — a 60A panel fills up fast. Install 100A if budget allows.

Closing walls before inspection — TSANB must see the rough-in wiring. Opening drywall for inspection costs $500–$2,000 in wasted work.

Not interconnecting smoke detectors — each detector must trigger all other suite detectors simultaneously. Wireless interconnect models work if running wire between locations is impractical.

Skipping AFCI breakers — they're code-required for bedrooms and living areas in new work. Your inspector will flag them.

Hiring

This is a significant electrical project — 10–15+ new circuits, a sub-panel, potentially a panel upgrade, plus coordination with framing, plumbing, and HVAC trades. Hire a TSANB-licensed electrician with basement suite experience. Many electricians in Moncton, Fredericton, and Saint John have wired dozens of basement apartments and know the municipal requirements specific to your area.

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