Power your garden safely. From home offices and workshops to hot tubs and electric gates, we design and install robust, weatherproof electrical supplies.
The garden is no longer just for plants. It has become an extension of our living space. Whether you are building a high-spec garden office for remote working, a workshop for your hobbies, or installing a luxury hot tub, you need a reliable power supply to run it.
Running electricity outside is significantly more dangerous than internal wiring. It faces rain, frost, UV radiation, and the risk of being struck by a garden spade. At Yare Electrical, we specialise in Part P Compliant External Electrics. We don’t just “run a cable down the fence”; we calculate load, install armoured protection, and ensure your new outdoor space is safe for year-round use.
Planning a Garden Office?
Why You Cannot DIY Garden Electrics
Many homeowners assume they can simply run an extension lead or clip a standard grey cable to their fence. This is dangerous and illegal.
- Part P Regulations: Under the Building Regulations, the installation of a new circuit in a garden is “Notifiable Work.” This means it must be signed off by a registered electrician or Building Control. If you do it yourself, you will not have the certificate required to sell your house.
- Standard Cable Rots: Standard Twin & Earth (grey) cable is not UV stable. If left outside, the sun will degrade the insulation, causing it to crack and letting water in, which leads to tripping circuits and fire risk.
- The Spade Risk: Cables buried in the garden are at high risk of being cut by gardening tools. This is why we only use Steel Wire Armoured (SWA) cable.
Powering Outbuildings: Sheds, Garages & Offices
We tailor the installation to what you are actually powering. A simple shed needs a different setup to a fully insulated home office.
1. The Simple Shed (Light & Power)
If you just need a light to find your lawnmower and a double socket to charge a drill, we can usually run a small armoured cable from your house’s existing ring main (via a fused spur). This is cost-effective and quick to install.
2. The Garden Office or Workshop
If you are running heaters, computers, or power tools, a spur is not enough. We will install a dedicated Sub-Main directly from your fuse board to the outbuilding. Inside the office, we install a small Mini Consumer Unit (Garage Board). This gives you local control—if your workshop heater trips the fuse, it won’t turn off the lights in your main house.
3. Data & Internet
Wi-Fi signals struggle to penetrate insulated exterior walls. While we are trenching the power cable, we can also lay a dedicated CAT6 Ethernet Cable. This gives your garden office a hard-wired, high-speed internet connection, perfect for Zoom calls without buffering.
Hot Tub Electrical Installation
Hot tubs are wet environments with high electrical currents—a combination that demands strict adherence to safety zones (Section 702 of BS7671).
Most hot tubs (32A) require a dedicated hard-wired circuit. You cannot plug them into a normal socket. Our installation package includes:
- Rotary Isolator: A waterproof safety switch installed at least 2 metres from the tub (so you can’t touch it while wet, but it’s accessible for emergency shut-off).
- Type-B RCD Protection: Essential for safety, protecting you against earth faults.
- Armoured Cabling: Protected against pests and damage.
The Installation Process: Trenching & SWA
We pride ourselves on doing the job properly. Here is how we get power from A to B:
Step 1: The Survey
We assess your current consumer unit. Does it have a spare “way” (fuse) for the new circuit? If not, we may need to install a small Henley Block to split the tails.
Step 2: Groundworks (Trenching)
Cables should not be left on the grass. We dig a trench (typically 450mm – 600mm deep) to bury the cable safely. We can do this digging for you, or you can dig it yourself to save money on labour.
Step 3: Laying the Cable
We lay the Steel Wire Armoured (SWA) cable. This heavy-duty black cable has a steel mesh layer inside that protects the live wires. Crucially, we lay Yellow Electrical Warning Tape 150mm above the cable. If you dig in the garden in 5 years’ time, you will hit the tape before you hit the live cable.
Step 4: Termination & Testing
We use waterproof (IP66) glands to connect the cable to your new sockets or lights, ensuring no moisture can enter. We then perform full resistance tests and issue your Part P Certificate.
Outdoor Sockets & Weatherproof Power
Need to plug in a jet washer, Christmas lights, or a lawnmower? We install high-quality, UV-stable outdoor sockets.
We avoid the cheap, brittle plastic sockets sold in DIY stores. We install robust units (typically MK Masterseal or BG Storm) which are rated to IP66. This means they are dust-tight and can withstand powerful water jets. You can safely close the lid while the plug is in use, keeping the connection watertight.
Electric Gates & Driveway Power
If you are installing automated gates, they need a reliable supply. We work alongside gate automation companies to provide the necessary power feeds. We can also install:
- Power for video intercom systems.
- Driveway bollard lighting (switched automatically by photocell).
- EV Charging Points on driveway posts.
Why Choose Yare Electrical?
- Neatness Matters: We know you don’t want ugly cables clipped all over your house. We take the time to route cables discreetly, often running them through lofts or under floors to exit the building at the most hidden point.
- Calculated Safety: We perform “Voltage Drop” calculations. If your shed is 50 metres away, a standard cable is too thin, and your lights will dim when you plug a heater in. We size the cable correctly for the distance.
- Complete Solution: We handle the trenching, the drilling, and the electrical sign-off.
Get Connected Outside
Transform your garden into a fully powered living space. Contact Yare Electrical on 01603 626400 for a free estimate.