Comprehensive Guide to Electrical House Wiring Costs in Zambia

THEMBA MBEWE January 18, 2025

 


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Electrical house wiring is the art of electrifying a house, from start to finish. An estimate is a calculated guess of how much materials and labour will be required to complete your project.

Many people ask me, "How much will it cost to wire a three-bedroom house?" The answer depends on how you want your house wired. In this guide, I’ll break down the process and provide an overview of the costs involved in wiring a standard three-bedroom house in Zambia.

Table of Contents

  1. Steps to Take When Doing an Estimate
  2. Stages or Phases of Electrical House Wiring
  3. Slab Tubing
  4. Chiselling and Mounting of Boxes
  5. Tubing
  6. Electrical Wiring Estimate
  7. Lighting Circuit
  8. Power Circuit
  9. Cooker Circuit
  10. Geyser Circuit
  11. Mains Circuit
  12. Installing Final Fixtures
  13. Testing and Commissioning
  14. Is This All It Takes to Do Electrical House Wiring Estimates?

Steps to Take When Doing an Estimate

  1. Decide how you want your house wired, considering all planned appliances and gadgets.
  2. Hire a qualified electrician or technician to assess your needs.
  3. Discuss the materials required with your technician and have them list everything needed.
  4. Get quotations from various suppliers for the materials.
  5. Choose suppliers who stock genuine, standard materials to ensure safety and durability.

Stages or Phases of Electrical House Wiring

Electrical house wiring is typically completed in phases. Not everyone can afford to buy all the materials at once, so purchasing phase by phase is a practical option. Here are the main stages:

  1. Slab Tubing
  2. Chiselling and Mounting of Boxes
  3. Tubing
  4. Electrical Wiring
  5. Installing Final Fixtures
  6. Testing and Commissioning

Slab Tubing

Slab tubing involves laying electrical conduit pipes in the concrete slab. This stage typically covers:

  • Socket outlets
  • Cooker outlets
  • Telephone and data outlets

Materials Needed for Slab Tubing:

  • 20mm conduit pipes: 2 bundles (socket outlets)
  • 25mm conduit pipes: 2 bundles (telephone/data outlets)
  • 20mm couplings: 50 pieces
  • 25mm couplings: 50 pieces
  • PVC glue (250ml): 2 bottles

Note: Prices vary, so it’s best to get updated quotations.

Chiselling and Mounting of Boxes

Once the slab is complete and walls are built, it’s time to chisel walls and mount key components like:

  • Meter boxes
  • Distribution boards
  • Switch and socket boxes
  • Cooker control boxes
  • Air conditioning outlets

Materials Needed:

  • 3x3 GI boxes (switch points)
  • 3x6 GI boxes (socket points)
  • 20mm conduit pipes: 1 bundle
  • 20mm adaptors (male bushes): Based on the number of switches and sockets
  • 20mm couplings (female bushes): 30 pieces

Tubing

Tubing involves laying conduit pipes through the ceiling after the roofing is complete. This step prepares pathways for:

  • Lighting
  • Power
  • TV, telephone, and data circuits

Materials Needed:

  • 20mm conduit pipes: 1 bundle
  • 20mm junction boxes: 30 pieces (or 60 without slab tubing)
  • Couplings (20mm): 50 pieces
  • PVC glue (300ml): 1 bottle
  • Ceiling nails (1kg) or cable ties (2 packets for steel trusses)
  • 20mm saddles (PVC or metal)

Electrical Wiring Estimate

Wiring starts after the tubing is complete. Here’s an estimate of the materials required for various circuits:

Lighting Circuit

  • 1.5mm² cable (Red): 4 rolls
  • 1.5mm² cable (Green): 4 rolls
  • 1.5mm² cable (Black): 3 rolls

Power Circuit

  • 2.5mm² cable (Red, Black, Green): 2 rolls each
  • Includes 2 air conditioning points

Cooker Circuit

  • 6mm² cable (Red, Black, Green): Measure the exact length required based on the layout

Geyser Circuit

  • 4mm² cable (Red, Black, Green): Measure length as needed

Mains Circuit

  • 10mm² cable (Red, Black, Green): For connection to the national grid and earthing

Installing Final Fixtures

This stage involves installing sockets, switches, fans, downlights, air conditioners, cookers, geysers, and more. Have your electrician count all required fixtures to ensure accuracy. Obtain quotations from reputable hardware stores.

Testing and Commissioning

Before connecting to the national grid, conduct these essential tests:

  • Continuity of ring final conductors
  • Continuity of protective conductors
  • Earth electrode resistance
  • Insulation resistance
  • Polarity
  • Earth fault loop impedance

Ensure all tests meet safety standards for both people and equipment.

Is This All It Takes to Do Electrical House Wiring Estimates?

Once you’ve gathered the materials, add the cost of labour. Generally, labour costs are 30–35% of the total material cost. Consult with your electrician to finalize the estimate and ensure a safe, high-quality installation.

For more insights, click here to learn about wiring estimates.

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