Whether it's a workshop, a man cave, a home gym or a granny flat, sooner or later most sheds need proper power. Extension leads across the lawn are not the answer. Here's what's involved in doing it properly.
Step 1: Work out how much power you need
A few lights and a power point for a battery charger is very different from a welder, compressor, split system or EV charger. The load decides the cable size, and the cable size affects the cost. Tell your electrician everything you might use in the shed, now and in the future. It's much cheaper to put in a bigger cable once than to dig it up again later.
Step 2: Locate underground services
Before any digging, existing services like water, gas, phone and power need to be located. We use Before You Dig Australia plans and check the route on site.
Step 3: Dig the trench
The cable runs in conduit buried at the depth set by the Australian wiring rules (AS/NZS 3000), with marker tape laid above it so anyone digging later knows it's there. Rocky ground is common in parts of Ballarat, which is one reason trenching is always quoted per job.
Step 4: Install a sub-board and connect
Most sheds get their own small switchboard with circuit breakers and safety switches (RCDs). The cable is connected back to your main switchboard. If your main board is old, it may need upgrading to safely take the extra circuit. See our switchboard upgrades.
Step 5: Backfill, test and certify
The trench is backfilled, the installation is tested and you receive a Certificate of Electrical Safety.
Why one team for trench and wiring saves you hassle
Usually you'd book an excavator, then an electrician, then the excavator again to backfill, with an open trench in your yard in between. Because we have our own mini excavator, we dig, lay, wire and backfill as one job. The machine fits through most side gates, which is handy on the bigger blocks around Miners Rest, Smythes Creek, Invermay and Buninyong.
Planning an EV charger in the garage too?
If your shed or detached garage might one day house an EV, size the cable for a charger now. Read our EV charger installation guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I run an extension lead to my shed instead?
Extension leads aren't designed for permanent use and can overheat or be damaged outdoors. A properly installed underground supply with its own safety switch is the safe, legal option.
How deep does underground cable need to be?
Burial depth and protection are set by the Australian wiring rules (AS/NZS 3000) and depend on the type of cable and conduit used. Your electrician will lay it at the right depth with marker tape above.
How much does it cost to run power to a shed in Ballarat?
It depends mainly on trench length, ground conditions, access and how much power the shed needs. We quote the trenching and electrical work together, for free, after a quick site visit.
Need this sorted properly?
We're happy to talk it through over the phone or come out for a free, no-obligation quote across Ballarat and surrounds.
