Making the outdoor area work
In Wagga, the back deck or pergola is where summer happens. The average January maximum is close to 32 °C, so a ceiling fan over the table and good lighting for after dark make a real difference. In winter, nights regularly drop close to freezing, which is why people add radiant heaters to extend the season.
We wire decks, pergolas, patios, alfresco areas and outdoor kitchens:
- Ceiling fans rated for outdoor or covered areas.
- Lighting: downlights in the pergola roof, strip lighting under handrails or steps, wall lights, garden and path lights, sensor lights for security.
- Outdoor power points with weatherproof covers, for the barbecue, the fridge, the speaker or the pool cleaner.
- Outdoor heaters, which may need their own circuit depending on their size.
- Outdoor kitchen power for the fridge, rangehood and appliances.
- Switches inside the house so you can turn the deck lights on before you open the door.
Timing: before the roof and the boards go down
The best time to call is when the deck or pergola is still a frame. Cable can be run through the posts and beams and under the decking, hidden and protected. Once the roof sheeting, lining boards or decking is on, cables have to go on the surface or the lining has to come off.
Talk to your builder about leaving access, and ask Nelson to come out before the roof goes on. We'll mark where fans, lights and power go and run the cables in one visit, then come back to fit off once the structure is finished.
Things to check early
- Overhead power lines. If the pergola or a raised deck will sit near the overhead service line that feeds your house, mention it at the planning stage. Altering or relocating a service line is work that only an Accredited Service Provider (ASP) can do in NSW. We'll tell you if it looks like an issue and who to contact.
- What's underground. If we need to trench out to a detached pergola or a garden, existing underground cables and pipes need to be found first so nothing gets hit.
- The switchboard. Adding new outdoor circuits needs room on the board. If it's still on ceramic fuses with no safety switches, we'll talk you through the options, which might include a switchboard upgrade.
- What you'll plug in. A patio heater, a pizza oven, a spa or a big fridge each change the plan. Tell us early.
Safety and the rules
Outdoors, water and electricity are close together, so the protection matters.
- Safety switches. Under AS/NZS 3000:2018, any circuit we alter or add in a home must have 30 mA RCD protection, installed at the switchboard. That covers the new outdoor power points, lights and fans. It doesn't mean the whole house has to be upgraded, unless the board is replaced. More detail on our safety switches page.
- No Type AC RCDs. New work in NSW must not use Type AC RCDs. They have been banned in new installations since 1 May 2023.
- Licensed work only. The NSW Government is clear that homeowners should not wire, install or move power points, lights, switches or ceiling fans. That includes hard-wiring a fan or an outdoor light yourself. DIY electrical work is illegal in NSW and can void your insurance.
- Certificate. Every job gets a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work, lodged since 1 July 2026 through the Building Commission NSW eCert portal, with a copy emailed to you.
Extension leads are not a fix
Plenty of decks run on an extension lead through a window or under a door. It's a trip hazard, the lead gets wet and crushed, and it's often overloaded with a heater or a fridge. A proper outdoor power point on a protected circuit is safer and tidier. While we're there, we can check your existing power points and outdoor lights.
Cost
Deck and pergola jobs depend on the number of fittings, the distance from the switchboard and how much is already built. There's no set price: call or send the job through with a sketch or photos for a written quote. Travel is free close to Wagga and charged further out, and Nelson includes it in your quote.
Common questions
Can you install a ceiling fan in my pergola?
Yes, as long as the structure can carry it and there's a way to run the cable. Use a fan made for outdoor or covered areas. The ideal time is before the roof lining goes on, so the cable can be hidden in the frame.
Do outdoor power points need a safety switch?
Any new or altered circuit in a home must have 30 mA RCD protection at the switchboard under AS/NZS 3000:2018. So a new outdoor power point will be protected. If you're unsure whether your existing outdoor sockets are, press the test button on your safety switches and see what turns off.
When should I call the electrician for a new deck?
When the frame is up but before the decking boards, roof sheets or lining go on. That's when cables can be run inside the posts and beams. We'll come back to fit off once it's finished.
Can I wire my own deck lights?
No. In NSW only a licensed electrician can install lights, switches, fans or power points. Stand-alone solar garden lights that aren't connected to the house are fine, but anything wired into the house needs a licence and a certificate.
Can you put power and lights in a detached pergola or gazebo?
Usually, yes. It means a cable run from the house, often underground. We'll look at the distance and the route and quote it. The same applies to a shed: see our power to a shed guide.